Board members will find it easier to manage the business’s operations when they have access to a board portal that facilitates a paper-free workflow. The software will enable them to manage the flow of information more efficiently and divide the responsibilities more efficiently and result in more effective strategies and cost-efficient methods. The software will also provide tools that enable the business to monitor data, spot trends and make informed decisions.

Free software options can provide some basic features, but are generally inferior to the leading board portals. These solutions typically require additional features in order to provide the most comprehensive set of features. These add-ons are often more expensive than the savings you could have made by using a full-featured solution.

In addition, free solutions tend to be less secure than paid options. Some free solutions don’t make use of encryption that’s equivalent to the encryption used by banks, or they might not permit you to restrict who has access to files. Considering the recent media attention to data breaches and hacking, it’s vital how to pitch an idea to a company that any system that is used by the board be highly secure. Free solutions are often not accompanied by training or customer service. This means that new and inexperienced board members might not be able to use the software properly, which could introduce weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. The best way to stay clear of these risks is to utilize an excellent board management system that is comprehensive and dependable security.