Version Control in ePact: End of Contract Chaos
Version Control in ePact: End of Contract Chaos
"Which version did the customer actually sign?" The question hangs in the air at the Monday morning meeting. Three employees are looking at their own version of the same contract. One from Friday, one from last Wednesday, and one with corrections no one remembers who made. Familiar? For most companies, contract versions are a daily nightmare.
With ePact's version control, that kind of chaos is history.
Version Hell: When Everyone Has "The Latest"
Traditional contract handling creates version problems:
- Contract_Final.docx
- Contract_Final_v2.docx
- Contract_Final_FINAL.docx
- Contract_Final_FINAL_with_corrections.docx
- Contract_Final_APPROVED_no_wait.docx
When everyone emails around their versions, you quickly lose overview. Who corrected what? Which version was sent to the customer? Do all parties have the same one?
ePact's Automatic Version Control
In ePact, each contract lives in one place with full version history:
One truth: Everyone works on the same document in the system. No local copies living their own life.
Automatic versioning: Each change automatically creates new version. V1.0, V1.1, V1.2 - the system keeps track.
Timestamps: Precise log of when each version was created and by whom.
Change tracking: See exactly what was changed between versions - no guessing.
Compare Versions in Seconds
ePact's powerful comparison tool shows:
- Added text in green
- Deleted text in red
- Changed numbers and dates highlighted
- Side-by-side view of versions
No more "can you remember what we changed?" - the system remembers everything.
Workflows That Prevent Errors
Locked versions: When contract is sent for signature, version locks. No one can change what customer sees.
Approval flow: Version 2.0 requires manager approval? Built into the system.
Rollback capability: Undo changes and return to earlier version with one click.
Branch and merge: Work on alternative versions without affecting main contract.
Real-World Scenarios Solved
Scenario 1: Customer's lawyer wants changes
- Create version 1.1 with lawyer's input
- Track exactly what was changed
- Send for internal approval
- Customer sees only approved version
Scenario 2: Multiple stakeholders
- Sales creates v1.0
- Legal adds clauses = v1.1
- Finance adjusts payment terms = v1.2
- All changes tracked and visible
Scenario 3: Contract renewal
- Start with last year's contract as base
- ePact shows what's changed year-over-year
- Customer can easily see and accept updates
Integration with Signature Flow
Version control and digital signature work seamlessly together:
Pre-signing freeze: When document is sent for signature, version freezes automatically.
Post-signing archiving: Signed version archived permanently - can never be changed.
Amendment tracking: Additions and changes linked to original contract.
Complete audit trail: From first draft to final signature - everything documented.
Tips for Optimal Version Control
Naming matters: Use descriptive version names: "After client meeting 3/15" not just "v2".
Comment changes: Add notes about why something was changed.
Regular cleanup: Archive old drafts that never became anything.
Train the team: Everyone must understand the version system - no cowboys.
Compliance and Audit Love It
When auditor or authorities come:
- Complete documentation of all versions
- Precise traceability of decisions
- No "we can't find that version"
- Professional and credible
ROI on Structure
A medium-sized company calculated:
- 2 hours/week saved searching for right version
- 5 hours/month saved on version conflicts
- 0 lost deals due to wrong versions
- 100% certainty which version applies
Total: 140 hours annually = 70,000 DKK in saved time.
Start with the Most Important
Implement version control gradually:
- Start with high-value contracts
- Standardize naming
- Train power users first
- Expand to entire organization
- Harvest the benefits
The Future is Organized
In five years, companies still emailing Word files around will seem as outdated as those using fax 20 years ago.
With ePact's version control you get:
- Complete control over contract changes
- Elimination of version conflicts
- Professional document handling
- Time for what really matters
Because when you know exactly which version applies, you can focus on closing deals - not solving version mysteries.
End of contract chaos. Welcome to organized, efficient contract management.
