Following an upgrade from the legacy DocuSign package to the modern DocuSign App Launcher, our Salesforce org encountered a key limitation: built-in Salesforce e Signature support was no longer available. This disrupted the quote approval process, which had previously been fully automated through Salesforce CPQ as part of our broader contract management Salesforce strategy.
To overcome this, our team designed and implemented a custom digital signature solution—a Salesforce e-Signature Plugin backed by a Visualforce page Salesforce redirector. This restored and even improved upon the original Salesforce DocuSign integration functionality.
The Challenge
The upgrade introduced critical blockers in our Salesforce workflow automation:
- Salesforce E Signature Integration Removed – Quotes could no longer be sent directly via the new Salesforce DocuSign integration package.
- Manual Document and Recipient Setup – Sales reps had to manually configure envelope and recipient details, impacting the speed and reliability of digital signature solutions.
- Risk of Sending Outdated Documents – Without automation, there was no guarantee the latest quote would be used.
- Disjointed User Flow – The multi-step process broke the smooth Salesforce workflow automation, resulting in inefficiency and confusion.
The Custom Apex Signature Plugin: Core of the Solution
We created a custom Apex class that implements Salesforce CPQ’s Electronic Signature Plugin interface, allowing us to hook into the quote document workflow. This ensured continued support for Salesforce e Signature within our contract management Salesforce ecosystem.
What the Plugin Does:
- Identifies the most recent quote document
- Passes necessary parameters to a Visualforce page Salesforce redirector
- Triggers the Salesforce DocuSign integration process with minimal user input, aligning with our goal of seamless digital signature solutions
Technical Limitation: No DML Operations Allowed in Plugin Class
Salesforce prohibits DML inside ElectronicSignaturePlugin implementations. To get around this, we separated the DML logic by introducing a Visualforce page Salesforce that runs in a separate transaction. This approach kept our Salesforce workflow automation intact.
Full Apex Signature Plugin Class
global class CPQDocusignPlugin implements SBQQ.ElectronicSignaturePlugin, SBQQ.ElectronicSignaturePlugin2, SBQQ.ElectronicSignaturePlugin3 {
global void send(List<SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c> docs) {
System.debug(JSON.serializePretty(docs));
}
global void updateStatus(List<SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c> docs) {
System.debug(JSON.serializePretty(docs));
}
global void revoke(List<SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c> docs) {
System.debug(JSON.serializePretty(docs));
}
global String sendWithRedirect(List<SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c> docs) {
Id docId = docs[0].Id;
SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c quoteDoc = [
SELECT Id, SBQQ__Quote__c, SBQQ__DocumentId__c, Docusign_Template__c
FROM SBQQ__QuoteDocument__c
WHERE Id = :docId
LIMIT 1
];
String baseUrl = URL.getOrgDomainURL().toExternalForm();
return baseUrl + ‘/apex/DocusignRedirector?doc_id=’ + docId +
‘&qId=’ + quoteDoc.SBQQ__Quote__c +
‘&file_Id=’ + quoteDoc.SBQQ__DocumentId__c +
‘&temp_Id=’ + quoteDoc.Docusign_Template__c;
}
global String getSendButtonLabel() {
return ‘Send with DocuSign’;
}
global Boolean isSendButtonEnabled() {
return true;
}
}
Why a Visualforce Page Was Needed
The plugin can’t handle file conversion or database updates. So, we built a Visualforce page Salesforce (DocusignRedirector) to:
- Perform DML safely
- Convert the quote PDF to a ContentVersion record
- Launch the actual Salesforce DocuSign integration flow
This solution offered better digital signature solutions and streamlined Salesforce workflow automation.
Streamlined Sales Rep Experience
A “Send with DocuSign” button was added next to “Generate Quote” on the Opportunity page. The process:
- Generate Quote – Creates the latest quote document
- Send with DocuSign – Plugin fetches required data → redirects to Visualforce page Salesforce → document sent through Salesforce e Signature.
Template Automation for Consistency
Using digital signature solutions via DocuSign templates, we automated recipient roles and field mappings. Reps no longer needed to:
- Manually configure recipients
- Modify envelope settings
- Worry about quote version accuracy
This simplified contract management Salesforce practices while ensuring consistent Salesforce workflow automation.
Results
|
Metric |
Before |
After |
|
Time to Send Quote |
10–15 minutes | < 1 minute |
|
Document Accuracy |
Unreliable |
Fully Automated |
|
Recipient Setup |
Manual |
Predefined Roles |
| Plugin Flexibility | Limited |
Custom Logic + Redirector |
Takeaway
This solution highlights how to overcome Apex plugin limitations in Salesforce CPQ by separating signature logic and DML responsibilities. By introducing a lightweight Visualforce page Salesforce redirector, we restored functionality lost in the Salesforce DocuSign integration upgrade and streamlined the user experience.
Sales reps now benefit from a clean, error-proof, and fast Salesforce e Signature process—and the business gains improved compliance and turnaround times in contract management Salesforce.
