Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally valid in most commercial contexts provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is not typically required for a beta agreement unless it affects real property or state law requires notarization for a specific clause; check state notary rules for RON or in-person requirements.

Do I need a HIPAA BAA?

If the pilot will process protected health information, a signed HIPAA business associate agreement is required to allocate responsibilities and meet 45 CFR §164.502(e) and §164.530 obligations.

Who should sign for a company?

An officer or authorized signatory with authority to bind the entity should sign; record the signer’s title to reduce later challenges to authority or enforceability.

How can we revoke a participant’s access?

Include explicit termination and suspension rights in the agreement. For immediate revocation, follow the contract’s notice and access-control procedures while documenting the action.

How should executed agreements be stored?

Store executed PDFs and audit trails in a secure archive with access controls, encryption, and backup. Retain records per IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)) retention rules as applicable.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Services Beta Agreement

Business Services Beta Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS SERVICES BETA AGREEMENT

This Business Services Beta Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between:

Service Provider Name: Service Provider Address: Client Name: Client Address:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Service Provider develops, operates and maintains certain beta services and software components (collectively, the "Beta Services") that are suitable for evaluation in real-world business settings; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to obtain access to the Beta Services for the limited purpose of testing, evaluation and providing feedback under the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that the Beta Services be provided on a time-limited, non-production basis subject to the limited warranties, confidentiality protections and mutual obligations set forth below.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider will provide Client access to the Beta Services and shall perform the limited services described below. Client will use the Beta Services solely for testing, evaluation and internal business purposes and will provide feedback in accordance with Section 4.

Detailed Scope of Work:

2. PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration for access to the Beta Services, Client shall pay Service Provider the fees and expenses set forth below. All fees are exclusive of taxes, which Client shall pay where applicable.

Total Fee Amount (USD): Payment Schedule / Milestones: Payment Method: Late Fee:

Unpaid amounts shall accrue interest at the rate of percent per month (or the maximum rate permitted by law, if less), calculated monthly from the due date until paid.

3. TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement, will continue until End Date: .

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice to the other party delivered at least days prior to the effective date of termination. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach by the other party that remains uncured for thirty (30) days after written notice specifying the breach.

Upon termination, Client shall promptly cease use of the Beta Services and return or destroy all confidential materials as required by Section 6. Termination shall not relieve Client of the obligation to pay any fees accrued through the effective date of termination.

4. FEEDBACK; LICENSE

Client agrees to provide reasonable feedback, error reports and other observations regarding the Beta Services (collectively, "Feedback"). Client grants Service Provider a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify and incorporate Feedback into Service Provider's products and services without restriction.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

"Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given its nature. Each recipient shall (a) use Confidential Information only for performance under this Agreement, (b) restrict disclosure to employees and contractors on a need-to-know basis who are bound by confidentiality obligations, and (c) exercise at least the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care.

Confidential obligations shall continue for a period of years from the date of disclosure, except that trade secrets shall be protected for as long as they remain trade secrets under applicable law. Confidential Information does not include information that is or becomes publicly known through no fault of the recipient or is rightfully received from a third party without restriction.

6. DATA AND PRIVACY

Each party shall comply with applicable data protection laws in handling personal data. Service Provider shall implement reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect Client Data. For clarity, Client retains all rights to Client Data submitted in connection with the Beta Services, subject to the license granted in Section 4 to the extent Feedback incorporates Client Data.

7. REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

Each party represents that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. THE BETA SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND SERVICE PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SERVICE PROVIDER DOES NOT WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, A PARTY'S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS, OR A PARTY'S BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES. THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL FEES PAID BY CLIENT TO SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

9. NOTICES

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by certified mail, courier, or other nationally recognized delivery service and shall be effective upon receipt.

Service Provider Notice Address: Client Notice Address:

10. GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through negotiation prior to pursuing formal legal remedies.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether written or oral. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

12. MISCELLANEOUS

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the other party's prior written consent, except that Service Provider may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all assets. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What the Business Services Beta Agreement Is

The Business Services Beta Agreement is a limited-duration contract used to enroll organizations in a controlled pilot of services, features, or integrations. It sets scope, participant obligations, feedback protocols, confidentiality, effective dates, and limited liability terms. The document also clarifies ownership of feedback and any data processed during the trial, the permitted uses of participant-provided information, and the mechanics for terminating participation or converting to a commercial agreement. Use the agreement to record consent, reduce ambiguity about responsibilities, and create an auditable trail for the pilot period.

Why use a Beta Agreement for business services

A Business Services Beta Agreement documents expectations for both provider and participant, protects confidential information, defines data handling and feedback rights, and limits liability during testing. It creates a temporary, enforceable framework so pilots can proceed while minimizing legal and operational uncertainty.

Who typically prepares and signs this agreement

Typical preparers include legal, product, and operations teams coordinating pilot programs and vendor trials.

Corporate legal teams responsible for risk allocation, IP ownership, and consent during beta trials.
Product and program managers coordinating participant selection, deliverables, and structured feedback collection.
Procurement or vendor management teams handling onboarding, billing transitions, and contract handoffs after the pilot.

Assign an internal owner for tracking signatures, feedback, and any required post-trial steps to avoid administrative gaps.

Core clauses to include in a professional beta agreement

Include focused sections that define the pilot scope, confidentiality, data handling, feedback ownership, term, and liability so responsibilities are explicit and enforceable.

Scope of Work

Describe trial services, features, deliverables, availability windows, participant obligations, and acceptance criteria in clear, measurable terms to avoid scope creep.

Term and Termination

Specify start and end dates, early termination rights for either party, notice periods, and the process for winding down the test and returning data.

Confidentiality

Define confidential information, permitted uses, disclosure exceptions, and the duration of nondisclosure obligations after the pilot ends.

IP and Feedback Rights

State who owns feedback, whether provider may use participant feedback for product development, and any assignments or license grants for improvements.

Data Handling

Describe data categories collected, permitted processing, security measures, retention, deletion procedures, and whether a HIPAA BAA is required for PHI.

Liability and Indemnity

Allocate risk with liability caps, disclaimers of consequential damages, and indemnification responsibilities tied to negligent or willful breaches.

Step-by-step: prepare, execute, and track the beta agreement

Follow a simple workflow to finalize the agreement, confirm participant consent, and capture execution evidence for auditability and post-trial analysis.

01

Prepare Draft: Complete all fields, attach scope exhibits, and include required legal approvals.
02

Internal Review: Route to legal, security, and product owners for approval before sending to participants.
03

Issue to Participant: Send the document for signature using eSignature or RON where required.
04

Record & Monitor: Store executed copies, track feedback, and log deviations for post-beta reporting.

Configuring a digital signing workflow for the agreement

Map each workflow field to a configuration to ensure consistent routing, authentication, and retention of the executed agreement.

Field	Configuration
Signature Type	Email link, SMS code, or RON depending on participant requirements
Authentication	Email verification by default; use SMS or KBA for higher assurance
Reminders	Automatic reminders every 3–7 days until execution
Retention	Store executed PDF and audit trail in secure archive

How electronic execution typically works

A standard online signing flow captures consent, identity, and an audit trail so electronically executed agreements are reproducible and admissible.

Upload: Sender uploads the agreement and attaches exhibits.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields where required.
Invite Signers: Email or secure link sent to each signer with instructions.
Execute: Signer authenticates, reviews, and applies an electronic signature.

Technical considerations for eSigning and storage

Confirm the platform supports required authentication, PDF integrity, and secure archive capabilities before issuing agreements.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel supported
Security Standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption

Key timing items to track for each pilot engagement

Establish clear deadlines for enrollment, execution, reviews, and post-trial assessment to avoid missed obligations or disputes.

Beta Enrollment Deadline:

Final date to opt in or sign up for the pilot program.

Execution Deadline:

Date by which the agreement must be signed to receive pilot services.

Review Period:

Time window allocated for participant feedback and provider analysis.

Transition Notice:

Notice period required before converting participant to a commercial contract.

Retention Review Date:

Date to review retention obligations and schedule archival or deletion.

Milestones and processing stages for a beta agreement rollout

Track milestones in sequence from drafting to post-pilot review so each stage has an accountable owner and clear deliverables.

01

Drafting

Create a complete agreement with exhibits and approval stamps.

02

Internal Approval

Legal, security, and product sign-off before issuing the document.

03

Participant Execution

Participants sign electronically or via RON as required.

04

Post-Beta Evaluation

Collect feedback, address defects, and decide on commercial conversion.

Common preparation and execution mistakes to avoid

Using ambiguous scope descriptions that leave deliverables or success criteria undefined, creating disputes about pilot outcomes.
Failing to require a BAA or data processing addendum when protected health information is collected, exposing the provider to HIPAA risk.
Omitting execution evidence such as audit trails or signer authentication records, which weakens enforceability and auditability.
Neglecting to set a clear transition plan and pricing terms for participants moving from beta to paid services, causing billing disputes.

Potential legal and financial risks of errors

Contractual Breach: Damages and remedy obligations

Data Breach Fines: Regulatory penalties and mitigation costs

HIPAA Liability: Civil fines and corrective action

Void Signature Risk: Procedural defects can impair enforceability

I-9 / Employment: Recordkeeping fines where applicable

Tax Withholding: Backup withholding if TIN missing

Security and compliance essentials to document

Encryption In Transit: TLS 1.2/1.3

Encryption At Rest: AES-256

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

HIPAA BAA: Available when PHI is processed

21 CFR Part 11: Compliant for regulated records

Audit Trail: Tamper-evident logs and timestamps

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Compare basic pricing and common feature flags for eSignature platforms. signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Real-world examples of beta agreements in use

These examples show how organizations set expectations, capture feedback, and protect data during pilot programs.

Tech Data

Opted into a structured pilot to streamline integrations and customer onboarding

Pilot emphasized speed to revenue and service reliability
"Tech Data uses airSlate SignNow to improve our internal and external customer service while increasing our speed to revenue."

Fertility Centers

Used a beta agreement to manage patient-facing feature tests and security controls

Provider required a BAA and audit logs
"The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Adopt a consistent process and checklist to reduce errors and speed execution while preserving legal certainty.

Use standard templates

Maintain a vetted master template with approved clause language to avoid repeated legal review and ensure consistent risk allocation across pilots.

Capture audit evidence

Ensure every executed copy includes an audit trail with signer identity, timestamps, IP address, and any authentication method used.

Limit scope precisely

Define the pilot boundaries, success criteria, and excluded processes concretely to prevent scope creep and downstream disputes.

Document feedback rights

Be explicit about ownership or license of participant feedback to avoid surprises when product changes are commercialized.

How a Business Services Beta Agreement compares with a standard commercial agreement

A short comparison clarifies where beta agreements differ from full master services agreements in terms of scope, risk, and duration.

Criteria	Beta Agreement	Standard Agreement
Length	short	long
Scope	limited	broad
IP Assignment	limited	full
Liability	capped	negotiated

Frequently asked questions about Business Services Beta Agreements

Answers to common legal and operational questions encountered when preparing, signing, and storing beta agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally valid in most commercial contexts provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is not typically required for a beta agreement unless it affects real property or state law requires notarization for a specific clause; check state notary rules for RON or in-person requirements.
Do I need a HIPAA BAA?
If the pilot will process protected health information, a signed HIPAA business associate agreement is required to allocate responsibilities and meet 45 CFR §164.502(e) and §164.530 obligations.
Who should sign for a company?
An officer or authorized signatory with authority to bind the entity should sign; record the signer’s title to reduce later challenges to authority or enforceability.
How can we revoke a participant’s access?
Include explicit termination and suspension rights in the agreement. For immediate revocation, follow the contract’s notice and access-control procedures while documenting the action.
How should executed agreements be stored?
Store executed PDFs and audit trails in a secure archive with access controls, encryption, and backup. Retain records per IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)) retention rules as applicable.

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