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Board Portal (Not-for-Profit)

  • 21 Mar 2011 2:05 PM
    Message # 550413
    Deleted user

    We are looking at the various products available to set up a board portal. If you currently use a board portal for your directors, what product do you use, do you find it easy to use when loading documents, etc. Do the directors find it useful?

    Last modified: 21 Mar 2011 2:05 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 29 Mar 2011 4:07 PM
    Reply # 557096 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We use Aprio from Vancouver . Implementation service was excellent and cost reasonable.

    Last modified: 29 Mar 2011 4:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 29 Mar 2011 4:08 PM
    Reply # 557097 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We used to use Aprio and found it very user friendly and the Aprio group responsive to our needs.  I think all the systems out there are pretty much the same, you need the relationship with your service provider to make it work.  One of our concerns was the security aspect and where the servers were located.  You have to take into account if the service providers server is in the United States you run a risk of your information be subject to US laws and open to examination.  Much better to go with a group who has their servers in Canada.

    We now have developed an in-house system that is managed by our records management department, and completely secure.  The records management program that we use here is Documentum and it manages all our electronic data worldwide.

  • 29 Mar 2011 4:08 PM
    Reply # 557098 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    BoardVantage is the Board Portal system that we use. We initially picked this product as it was very user friendly for our Directors. We have determined quickly that it has some quirks when it comes to uploading the materials and agendas. We were mainly looking for how easy it would be for our Directors though.
  • 29 Mar 2011 4:09 PM
    Reply # 557099 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Our company provide a service called BoardSite, which is designed to meet this requirement. Please contact Will Brown on 514 510 5022 to find out more and see a demonstration.
  • 29 Mar 2011 4:09 PM
    Reply # 557100 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Aprio Boardroom. Have been using since 2006.  Very easy and intuitive to use.  Directors very happy with it.  More than half our Directors bring lap tops to Board and Committee meetings and access on-line.
  • 29 Mar 2011 4:10 PM
    Reply # 557101 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We use BoardSuite through www.boardsuitecorp.com.  It is a FREE Board portal and would work well for issuing companies tool.  Our directors have been very pleased with it – it is intended as a resource for directors – and also it could be  we do not use it to replace hard copies of Board-Committee meeting materials.

    Other Board portals I have come across that look good (and I have had demos on them) and are intended to replace paper meeting materials are DiligentBoard and BoardBooks

  • 29 Mar 2011 4:10 PM
    Reply # 557102 on 550413
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We have used Diligent’s Boardbooks for almost two years with great success. www.boardbooks.com.  We reviewed and tested three other board management portals but were compelled by the flexibility of this system.  Orientation, training and support by Diligent is outstanding.  Our directors have forgotten passwords etc at all hours from all over the world and have reported that their calls to the help desk were handled exceptionally well despite the timezone.  The directors on our Board (all aged 55 – 68) have adopted use of this system very well.  Those who are away for extended periods find it especially convenient as the portal can be accessed securely from any location with internet access.  Diligent continues to work on functionality and responds to our suggestions which have been incorporated in upgrades.  It bears noting that  sometimes it will still be necessary to provide printed documents to directors such as financial statements and long submissions that are too long to read comfortably online.

    Something that Boardbooks offers that competitors do not is functionality for secure signatures.  We no longer send resolutions and other documents around for signature by courier and fax.  We just post it on Boardbooks and directors log in and sign securely. 

    We have saved a lot of time and money in reduced administration and courier costs.  Plus, we feel good about saving all those trees.  The cost is about $22,000 per year for approximately 20 users. There are many advantages to using a board portal.  Could not imagine going back to doing binders.

  • 31 Mar 2011 10:54 AM
    Reply # 558470 on 550413
    Deleted user

    BoardWorks is another solution and available from Computershare.  Their solution is hosted in Canada which is an important aspect for many.  It also works well on an iPad if that is needed by your board.

    Pricing is around $20,000 per annum but may be less for non-profits.  The primary contact there is Andrew Moore.

  • 13 Jun 2011 2:19 PM
    Reply # 620305 on 550413
    Deleted user
    We use Passageways, which provides the software, training and ongoing support, but allows us to host the portal on our own servers.  Our experience is relatively new, but thus far the Directors are transitioning very well, and enjoying the many new features in communication.

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