Firms try to speed e-commerce

Pivotal Software and PenOp inked a deal this week to embed PenOp's electronic signature software in Pivotal's customer relationship management system.

Pivotal is targeting such vertical markets as the pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods industries with the product.

Regional sales forces in both industries rely heavily on contracts. The idea behind the electronic signature system is that filling orders could be sped up if customers or other authorizing agents could send electronic signatures to get an order going.

Product release is expected by late summer. No pricing has been set yet.