The process of managing contracts can be long and winding. Right from creating, negotiating to executing, and renewing or terminating agreements can quickly turn into a complex situation. To further complicate the process, there is always an element of risk involved in terms of manual errors, delays, and penalties. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to use Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions to automate and streamline the entire process of contract management. To substantiate the need, a report states that over 90% of the surveyed executives recognize the need for better contracts and streamlined operations.
In this blog, we will explore the key features of CLM solutions and understand how they can transform business operations.
What Is a
CLM Solution?
CLM solution is a software application designed to automate and streamline the entire contract lifecycle. It provides a centralized platform for managing contracts where users can handle all aspects effectively – from drafting agreements to negotiation, approvals, execution, and post-execution activities. This centralized platform acts like a hub of information for all the stakeholders and provides transparency across different stages of the contracting lifecycle.
The latest 2023 survey reveals that, on average, 29% of the workforce is involved in the contract process. This includes activities like contract development, negotiation, review, approval, performance management, data extraction/input, and handling amendments or issues.
Key Features of a Robust CLM Solution
CLM solutions are powerful toolkits that help organizations automate and simplify contract management. However, with the many options available on the market, look for a solution that offers the right features for your business. Listing here some of the key features to consider in a CLM software:
Automated Drafting
A robust CLM solution offers features like clause libraries and pre-approved templates that automate clause selection, ensure consistency, and flag potential contradictions, hidden clauses, and risks.
Robust Security and Access Controls
Contracts often hold crucial and sensitive information. To safeguard the details, you should consider a software that is rated high on security and access controls. Ensure you have role-based access control, encryption, audit trails, and other similar high-security features.
Central Repository & Reduced Risk
A robust CLM solution provides a central repository for all contracts, helps users track obligations, identifies expiring agreements, and ensures compliance with regulations.
Advanced Redlining and Version Control
Negotiations often involve multiple edits and revisions which can be difficult to track. Therefore, look for CLM software that provides redlining capabilities to track changes by different stakeholders and offers a version control feature so that users can access the latest contract version. This promotes ownership and accountability by clearly identifying who made specific changes.
Comprehensive Compliance Management
CLM software ensures you are adhering to the company’s internal standards, contractual terms, industry guidelines, and government regulations. This feature mitigates risks of non-compliance, helps enterprises avoid legal penalties, financial losses, and reputational damage.
E-Signature Integration
Choose a CLM solution that seamlessly integrates with e-signature platforms. This eliminates the need to print, scan, and mail contracts for signatures. This further accelerates contract execution.
Scalability and Integrations
Always consider scalability and integration as key factors when choosing a CLM solution. As your business grows, you may need to scale up your functionalities. Therefore, implementing a CLM that can seamlessly integrate with other business suites and enterprise applications can be useful. This integration also ensures your CLM is centralized, well connected, and accessible across platforms.
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
Look for a CLM that provides comprehensive reporting and analytics tools essential to track key metrics like contract turnaround time, expiring agreements, and potential risks. This enables businesses to identify areas of improvement and optimization.
Powerful Search and Retrieval Capability
Finding a specific contract amidst a large repository can be a big task. Therefore, a software solution that can help you quickly search and retrieve any file based on different criteria can be crucial.
Top CLM Vendors
Here are some of the best CLM software vendors in the market
The Future of Contract Management
The future of CLM software looks bright as the market is set for strong growth driven by regulatory complexities and the need to mitigate legal risks. In addition, the landscape of CLM solutions is constantly evolving with advancements in technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) which automate contract analysis and enhance decision-making. Key players in the market are leveraging AI & ML capabilities for better insights, enhanced user experience, and improved performance.
The integration of AI, ML, and other technologies backed by blockchain are enhancing the capabilities of CLM and transforming the way contracts are being managed. The AI-powered tools are being used to automatically analyze contract language, identify key clauses, and detect potential risks. This integration can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of contract management processes and reduce the time taken to draft, execute, and sign the agreements.
AI in Contract Management
The integration of AI, ML, and other technologies backed by blockchain are enhancing the capabilities of CLM and transforming the way contracts are being managed. The AI-powered tools are being used to automatically analyze contract language, identify key clauses, and detect potential risks. This integration can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of contract management processes and reduce the time taken to draft, execute, and sign the agreements.
Over 85% of the surveyed legal professionals believe generative AI will be widely used in most of the law firms in the next 3 years, while 25% have already deployed it for contracting.
Also, companies believe the AI-driven insights can help them identify key trends and optimize contracting performance for competitive advantage in managing their contractual obligations and opportunities. to this report, 94% of contracting leaders believe AI will enhance risk and compliance analysis.
Define
Clearly define the objectives you plan to achieve with the CLM implementation.
Assemble
Create a cross-functional team that will be involved in the implementation process.
Identify
Determine how you plan to migrate existing contracts into the CLM system.
Configure
Define and configure automated workflows for different contract types and approval processes.
Train
Provide comprehensive training to your team to fully utilize the solution.
Furthermore, it is important to collaborate with a reliable and experienced partner like Forsys who can guide you throughout the process, analyze your existing processes, advise on industry best practices, suggest smooth workflows, and provide post-implementation managed services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CLM solutions are fast becoming indispensable tools for modern businesses looking to optimize their contract management processes. By leveraging features such as contract automation, contract compliance, and contract analytics, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, reduce risks, and ensure better compliance. As technology continues to evolve, the capabilities of CLM solutions will expand, offering greater benefits in the future.
Implementing a robust CLM solution is a strategic move that can drive significant improvements in your contract management processes. As the market grows, adopt these advanced CLM solutions to stay competitive. It is advisable to partner with experienced providers like Forsys who can ensure a successful CLM implementation, tailored to specific business needs and industry standards. Talk to our experts to find out how we are leveraging our expertise and experience across Conga CLM solutions to transform businesses.