A governance portal or a board portal software solution can provide directors and administrators with a safe, secure digital workspace for collaboration on confidential information, documents and meetings. The best portals make it easier for members to prepare for and participate in board meetings while managing the ongoing work between meetings. Alongside facilitating meetings preparation, modern portals allow the easy collaboration between committees and board members, as well as with key stakeholders and partners from outside.
It is crucial that the software used for board management be user-friendly and intuitive. Ask the vendor about their product user experience, and if they offer videos or other tools to help members navigate the new platform. Also, consider how it is easy for directors to begin on their first meeting, and how the platform will automatically connect to their calendars.
Modern board portals are designed to be as effective as boards themselves, increasing the level of engagement and productivity by offering features such as task management, which make it easier for members to keep track of their tasks between meetings. Modern portals also allow for the use of e-signature and voting capabilities to accept documents quickly and securely. They also allow users to create and edit agenda items, meeting minutes, and documents.
The most recent generation of board portals also enables directors and administrators to continue to work from the cloud, making it easier for an accountant in Chicago and an IT manager in Washington DC to update a board book simultaneously. This increases the effectiveness of a board meeting and ensures that all members have access and are updated with the latest information.