So you're ready to invest in board portal software. You might first spot downloadable software on the internet and find it tempting. If you go to a store, another temptation awaits: low-cost ''out-of-the-box'' software that is easy to install on your hard drive. Large districts have yet another option: in-house IT personnel could program something for just this purpose. Keep looking. All three software sources have left many school boards with buyer's remorse. Only full-service portal providers catering to school boards have stood the test of time. Considering five crucial factors will direct you to software that meets your long-term needs.
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Choose software that supports your public-facing website.
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Look for maximal protection from cybercrime.
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Find the Right Tools to Boost Transparency.
- Simple feedback forms posted on the website solicit citizens' input - even between meetings, when communication from the school board traditionally ''goes dark.''
- You have always somehow put out minutes of meetings, but since you're online, why not post video footage of meetings?
- Top board portal software can even store public records on an archive that anyone can access by just clicking on an icon. That means that maps, laws, policies, spreadsheets, historical documents, reports, and more are easy for journalists and historians to find.
- If that archive is searchable, researchers get the royal treatment. BoardDocs software even makes it possible to conduct a single-step, keyword-based metasearch of archived materials. The single search peruses all files simultaneously, even if they're in multiple formats.
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Look beyond the price tag.
- Training Support. After the sale, the board and staff have to figure out how to use their new software. Will the seller provide training videos free of charge? If not, costly consultants will happily lead you through the transition. Also, staff retire or leave. Board members rotate off the board. With turnover, new people always need training from the ground up. When a replacement steps in, how will they know how to leverage all the powers of the software?
- Customer Service. When something goes wrong, are you left stranded? Off-the-shelf software companies may offer customer service between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Even within those limited hours, they often send customers to voice mail. BoardDocs, a Diligent brand, not only offers support 24/7 but even guarantees a live human on the other end within a matter of minutes. Diligent has even won awards for its best-in-class service record.
- Free Unlimited Storage. Some board portal software includes room to store documents, but only up to a certain limit. After that point, they charge a hefty fee for added volume. Look for free unlimited storage.
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Make sure the software keeps confidential information safely segregated from other materials.
Media Highlights
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have become more complex and multifaceted than ever before. At the same time, ESG continues to ascend on board and leadership agendas.
In this buyer’s guide, we explore what a market-leading ESG solution should look like and highlight the key areas organisations should be prioritising as they embark on their search.