Most boards have the same goals when it comes to increasing efficiency. They want to streamline their meetings, reach consensus easily, and keep data secure. They want to cut down the work it takes for administrators to prepare for meetings, which often means ditching email and Dropbox in favour of an end-to-end digital solution.
Board portal software can help you accomplish these goals, but not all the options on the market are created equal.
Whether you’re about to purchase a board portal for the first time, or you’re thinking of switching providers, consider asking these questions as you evaluate your options.
What kind of training will I get?
Learning brand new software can be daunting, especially if this is the first board portal you’ve ever implemented. There are documents to upload, library folders to create and features to master. Beyond the basic functions of the software, you want to make sure you’re maximizing every feature to the benefit of your board.
Aprio provides one-on-one training for both directors and board administrators. The training isn’t limited to the onboarding stage and is available when you need it, as you explore different aspects of the portal. Regular webinars can also help you master new features and maximize your use of the software.
Who answers the phone when I call for support?
Phoning for tech support and getting routed to a call centre, especially when you’re dealing with a time-sensitive issue like an upcoming board meeting, is extraordinarily frustrating. It’s even more frustrating when the person on the other end of the phone can’t even answer your question about the software.
Aprio has software pros on the other end of the phone who are available 24/7. Because it’s a tight-knit group of Aprio employees (including a former board administrator) helping you out, you may even speak to the same person each time you call, ensuring continuity and a solution to your problem.
How secure is the software?
Board portal software stores confidential documents that administrators and directors can access via different devices. An accidental or intentional leak is a serious issue.
Aprio’s board portal features provide layers of advanced security and gives you the power to control access and guarantee compliance. If a device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe it. Our international servers adhere to independent, third-party requirements for security certification. Read about our full security practices.
Will the fee structure change as we grow?
The price of many board software options seems appealing during the demo, until you realize how it will change once you start adding administrators and committees, or you start using more data storage. The cost starts to balloon. Suddenly, the board portal you’re using is far more expensive than the product you tested and you have no idea how you got there.
Aprio’s board portal delivers premium features, including mobile and desktop versions, without premium pricing. It provides the complete functionality needed to save costs and time for boards. We offer full visibility into different pricing levels. You automatically receive 12 user licenses with our base package, with the option to add additional users as your needs change. You only pay for the users you add.
Do I get what I see in the demo?
It’s not uncommon for some board portal software companies to show you the deluxe package of their software during the demo, while quoting you a price that actually reflects their most basic offering. They strip away the features you found most valuable, saying you can’t access them unless you’re willing to pay more.
Aprio believes in making good governance simple and affordable for everyone. All of our users get access to the same full suite of features. The all-in-one product you see during the demo is the same one you’ll use after you buy.
Can someone vouch for the software?
It’s one thing to read a long list of software features that seem positive. It’s another thing to have another director or board administrator tell you exactly how they feel about their board portal software. Our clients are our best referrers, a testament to how happy they are with Aprio software. Read some third-party reviews of our board portal.
We’re happy to share testimonials of clients in your particular industry, who can speak to how our board portal can eliminate paper and increases efficiency, for a price that’s less than you’d expect. Get in touch if you’d like to be connected with an Aprio client.
