About Bonterms
Bonterms provides standardized, lawyer-vetted agreements and automation tools that help teams create, negotiate, and execute contracts faster with less legal overhead.
The Bonterms platform combines neutral Standard Agreements with flexible cover pages and built-in collaboration to support repeatable, high-acceptance contracting workflows, especially for common agreements like NDAs, PSAs, BAAs, and Cloud Terms.
How Bonterms Works with Docusign
The Bonterms Docusign IAM Extension App for Docusign enables customers to launch Bonterms Deals directly from a Docusign Maestro workflow via a link and web form, without requiring Users to log in to Bonterms or configure contract terms.
Administrators configure a Maestro workflow using a single Bonterms agreement template (most commonly a Mutual NDA, though any prepared Bonterms template may be used). Once configured, Docusign generates a shareable workflow URL that can be embedded anywhere agreements are initiated, including:
- Internal tools or wikis
- CRMs or customer portals
- Hosted websites (for example, “Request an NDA”)
- Direct links shared with Sales or other teams
When a user accesses the workflow link, they complete a short Web Form, entering required information such as Recipient Name, Recipient Email Address, and Recipient Company Name. Bonterms then automatically creates the agreement using the predefined template settings and initiates the standard Bonterms agreement process.
The agreement is first emailed to the user-defined recipient. Once the recipient accepts the terms or proposes any changes, the workflow-defined Deal Owner and other relevant participants are notified and can take action as needed. The deal then proceeds through the normal Bonterms lifecycle, including review, negotiation (if applicable), approval (if required), and Docusign eSignature. Participants receive email notifications with links to complete their assigned steps.
Most users who initiate this workflow do not need a login to the Bonterms platform. The Bonterms platform is used by the deal owner and other assigned participants to review, negotiate, approve and sign the agreement - making this integration well suited for self-service, high-velocity agreement workflows without removing legal or contract stakeholders from the process.
Before you Begin (Requirements and Considerations)
Before setting up a Bonterms workflow in Docusign, make sure the following requirements are met on both the Docusign and Bonterms sides.
Docusign IAM account with access to Maestro workflows
- Purchase a Docusign IAM plan that includes access to Maestro workflows.
- You must be a Docusign administrator to install the Bonterms app from the Docusign App Center.
- Workflow creators must have permission to create and edit Maestro workflows.
- Your users will need a Docusign account for signing completed Bonterms agreements.
Paid Bonterms account with a prepared deal template
You must have a paid Bonterms account with at least one predefined default deal template. A Bonterms Admin configures the template in advance, including:
- Deal Team roles (Signer, Approver, Reviewer, and/or Viewer, as applicable)
- Key Terms
- Additional Terms (optional)
- Attachments to be incorporated into the agreement
This template serves as the default configuration for all Deals created through the Docusign workflow.
One template per workflow (current version)
In the current version of the Bonterms Docusign app, a Docusign Maestro workflow is associated with a single Bonterms organization, one Deal Owner, and one Deal Template.
Each Bonterms organization can have only one active Deal Owner and Deal Template connected to Docusign at a time. If you create a new, or update an existing Bonterms connection in Docusign Maestro and change the selected Deal Owner or Deal Template, those settings will apply to all workflows using that Bonterms organization.
You can review the current Deal Owner and deal template associated with your Docusign connection in the Bonterms Platform under Settings > Integrations > External Connections.
We plan to enhance these capabilities in future releases to support additional flexibility.
Typical Bonterms + Docusign Workflow
A typical Bonterms + Docusign workflow consists of two phases: workflow setup (performed by an administrator) and deal creation (performed by end users).
Phase 1: Configure the Workflow (Administrator)
- Create a Docusign Maestro workflow
An administrator creates a new Maestro workflow in Docusign and selects a single Bonterms owner and deal template to use as the basis for the agreement (commonly a Mutual NDA, though any Bonterms template may be used).
- Define Bonterms default agreement behavior
The selected Bonterms template determines the default deal configuration, including Key Terms and any Additional Terms, Deal Team roles (Signer, Approver, Reviewer, Viewer), and optional Attachments incorporated into the agreement
- ‘Collect Data with Web Forms’ - configure the Bonterms data-collection step
The workflow includes a Bonterms step that collects basic recipient information required to create the deal, such as recipient name, email address, and company name.
- ‘Writeback to Bonterms’ - configure deal owner and deal template
This workflow step establishes the connection to Bonterms and defines how the agreement is created. In this step, the Administrator sets the Bonterms deal owner and deal template to be used, and maps the data collection fields from the ‘Collect Data with Web Forms’ step to the required fields in the Bonterms platform.
- ‘Show a Confirmation Screen’ - Confirm Submission
This workflow step displays a confirmation message to the user after the agreement has been successfully submitted and created in Bonterms. The administrator configures a message title and message body that the user sees upon completion, confirming that the request was received and the agreement process has begun.
- Generate / Copy a shareable workflow URL
Once configured, Docusign generates a unique URL for the workflow. This link can be embedded in internal tools, portals, CRMs, wikis, or shared directly with users who need to initiate agreements.
Phase 2: Create a Deal (End User)
- Launch the workflow
A user opens the workflow URL and is presented with a welcome screen indicating they are about to create a deal in the Bonterms Platform. The user who sets up a deal using this workflow URL does not need a Bonterms account.
- Enter recipient information
The user provides the required recipient details defined in the workflow.
- Review and submit
The user reviews a summary of the information provided and submits the request.
- Deal creation and notification
Bonterms creates the agreement using the predefined template configuration. The recipient is notified by email, and the standard Bonterms agreement process begins. Both parties will receive email notifications when it is their turn to act, culminating in an eventual Docusign eSignature.
Using the Bonterms Workflow Link
The Bonterms workflow link is designed to support “send from anywhere” contracting, enabling organizations to standardize agreements while minimizing friction for end users.
Common use cases include:
- Sales-initiated NDAs without legal involvement
- External NDA request links before demos or meetings
- Embedded agreement initiation within CRMs or internal tools
Create a Bonterms Workflow in Docusign
Follow these steps to create a Bonterms Workflow in Docusign:
1) From the Agreements tab in Docusign Select Start > 'Maestro Workflows' > 'Create New Workflow'
2) Select Blank Workflow
3) Click 'Add workflow start' button in the middle of the screen
4) In Add workflow start step, under ‘What starts this workflow?’ > ‘Select a method’ select ‘From a link’ and then click ‘Apply’
5) Click 'Add a step' again
6) This time select ‘Collect Data with Web Forms’
7) Save the Workflow and create the 'Create a deal' web form
Before configuring the web form, save your progress. Click 'Save Draft' at the top of the workflow, enter a name, and click 'Save'. Then click the back arrow to return to the previous screen, where you can create the 'Create a deal' web form used to collect recipient information.
8) From the 'Templates' tab, select 'Start' > 'Web Forms' > 'Create Web Form'
9) Select 'Start from scratch'. In the 'Name your web form' modal, enter 'Create a deal' (or another name of your choice). This guide refers to the web form as 'Create a deal' in the steps below.
10) On the 'Create a deal' web form, customize the page that users that users see when initiating a deal through this Bonterms Workflow. Configure the 'Page title', 'Page subtitle', and 'Button text' as desired.
11) Select the next 'Untitled page' in the Outline on the left, then click the '+' in the middle.
12) Add a 'Text Field' for 'Recipient Company Name' - this needs to be a Required field
13) Then click on 'Fill in the recipient data' again, and click the + again. Repeat the above steps for a Text Field for 'Recipient Name'. This also needs to be a required field.
14) Finally, click the + one final time, and add an 'Email' field for 'Recipient Email'. We recommend you again select 'Required Field' and leave the Twilio Data Verification Enabled.
15) When you are done populating the 'Fill in recipient data' web form with all three recipient data collection fields, click 'Activate', then select 'Public' and click 'Activate'. When you see 'Web Form successfully activated', if desired copy the Public URL and click Go to Web Forms.
16) Return to the Workflow you started by navigating to Agreements tab > Maestro Workflows in the left navigation, then click Edit on your saved draft.
17) Click 'Configure' for the ‘Collect Data with Web Forms’ step
18) Choose the ‘Create a deal’ webform we created above, and then click 'Next'
19) In step 2 ‘Who will participate in this step?’, under 'Participant' click 'Add Participant', and then give your Participant a label like ‘Customer’ or ‘Partner’. Then click 'Add', and finally 'Apply' to complete this step.
20) Click '+' again to add another step.
21) For the next step, we are going to need to connect to Bonterms. Select 'Apps' > 'Browse Apps' and choose Bonterms.
22) Click 'Connect Account' > then select 'Private' or 'Shared' and click 'Next'
Note: A Private connection is limited to the individual user who creates it, while a Shared connection can be reused by multiple users and workflows within the same Docusign account.
23) Enter a Name for the connection that helps you identify it later (for example, reference the Bonterms organization this workflow will be associated with). Then click Log In.
24) You will be redirected to Bonterms Platform - login with your Bonterms credentials
25) Connect Docusign to Bonterms - select your 'Organization', 'Deal Template', 'Deal Owner' and add a 'Custom Message' that will appear in all deal invitation emails. Click ‘Save and Continue’, ‘Allow Connection’, and finally ‘Use this App’ to connect the app to the workflow.
26) Once the Bonterms connection is configured, in the 'Add New Step' screen, search for Bonterms and select ‘Writeback to Bonterms’
27) Click Configure for this step
28) Select the Connection you created above and click Next
29) Under Bonterms object select 'Negotiation', and then select 'Create' option and 'Next'
Note: The Bonterms Docusign IAM Extension App does not currently support 'Update' record functionality. Be sure to select 'Create'.
30) ‘Which fields are you writing to?’ - select these field mappings and click 'Next' then 'Apply':
- 'Recipient Name' : Recipient Name
- 'Organization Name' : Recipient Company Name
- 'Email Address' : Recipient Email
31) Click '+' to add one more step
32) Choose ‘Show a Confirmation Screen’
33) Click 'Configure' for this step
34) Choose the Participant label you created earlier (eg Customer, Partner, etc), leave 'Message Type' set to ‘End of participant’s tasks’.
You can set the 'Message Title' and 'Message body' to anything you want to display upon the completion of the Bonterms workflow / deal creation.
Click 'Apply'
35) Click 'Review & Publish', confirm your Workflow name (which only appears inside Docusign / Maestro) and click 'Publish' to complete the Bonterms Maestro Workflow!
36) 'Copy Workflow URL' - on the right side of the Workflows screen for your Published workflows you will find the link to copy the workflow URL to be used throughout your organization.
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