A board portal is specialized governance software that securely and safely provides digital board packs to directors as well as their organization's secretariat. They are automated and simplify to facilitate better collaboration, enhanced discussions, and decision-making. They also help align all stakeholders to the strategic direction.

They also save money by reducing the costs of printing couriering, printing and emailing. Board members can access documents from the board and communicate using an encrypted, in-app messaging system, even if they aren't in the office. They can prepare for meetings and sign documents online or in-app and use the video conferencing feature to attend virtual ones when they're unable to attend in person.

What should you look for when choosing a board portal

Ask potential vendors to provide demonstrations, and complete troubleshooting tips on their website. They should also be able provide a complete quote that includes all up-front and ongoing costs. Pricing models can differ and may be read based on a flat rate, per feature or by the number of users. Hence, it's crucial to compare the different models.

Security is the most important aspect of a good board portal. It should secure data both during transport and at rest, and provide strict control over access rights and authentication. Additionally, it should have a disaster recovery plan with an uptime guarantee. It should also regularly undergo external audits to ensure availability, security integrity, privacy and availability.