BoardPro Software

Pros

The time saved and the ease of preparing agendas and minutes. And a system to keep track of the actions is great. We used to do all of that manually so we're streets ahead of where we were. We set up 4 new subcommittees this year so having BoardPro has been hugely helpful. Initially, there was a steady stream of minor and major bugs/teething problems but those are steadily being worked through. I find that I don't need to get in touch with the Help Desk as often and clearly things are working well for us. Another great BoardPro feature is the ability to access it so readily from any of your electronic devices and from any location. I’m an administrator so I can complete an agenda at work or at home and, later, access the minutes to work on and simply pick up from where I left off. And my colleagues can be working on it at the same time too.

Cons

Initially, there was a steady stream of minor and major bugs/teething problems, but I have to say those are steadily being worked through. I still get frustrated that there's no Undo button when I'm typing the minutes straight into BoardPro - I've lost work several times due to hitting the wrong area of the touch pad, which is a real pain. Ultimately, its important that our governors are happy with the software. They readily express their frustrations if they're unhappy, e.g. the page numbering in the board packs - the minutes have one set of numbering and the board packs have another. They also get confused about the different action points lists - in a board pack, there's a list of actions raised in the meeting at the end of the previous minutes (very useful). Then there's a list of actions reviewed in this meeting, plus an Action Item List. I don't clearly understand the distinction and if I'm not clear then I can't explain it and the governors start talking about other software options. That's not in my interest as I've invested lots of time and effort in getting BoardPro to work for us. For me, the action item reminders to owners are great. Because owners don't always react to their actions, (tongue in cheek), it would be good if it incorporated a graphic like a time bomb going off under a chair. That might prompt people to update/action their actions! :)

BoardPro allow our nonprofit board to streamline our agenda creation, minute taking, board pack distribution and management of action items between meetings. It provided an easy-to-use interface for creating agendas between the GM and Board Chair when they are working at a distance from each other. BoardPro allowed us to introduce more professionalism into our board practices.

Pros

I particularly like how easy it is to produce a tidy board book in a usable format for board members in accordance with their personal preference (e.g. paper-based or electronic). And I also like the action reminder emails - keeps everything moving forward between meetings. BoardPro's online customer service is first rate - if I have a query while developing an agenda or document, I always get a very quick response.

Cons

I'd like the ability to customize the board pack a bit more, such as adding 'for information only' sections outside of the agenda or having standing attachments, such as the board work plan, so that I don't have to attach it each time.

It takes over the thinking for you

Pros

It instills in SME clients the discipline necessary for running a successful board.

I particularly like the ease of collating and storing board papers.

Cons

Sometimes it has been a bit difficult to work out where a function is located. But having said that boardPro listens to feedback and makes changes

Pros

Logical software, great record storage. Great support. Constantly being improved. Great monthly price. Easy for Board members to learn how to use.

Cons

There have been some bugs with the software but the developers have been quick to fix them when I raise them.
Can run a bit slow when network is poor

Pros

The software is intuitive so it is easy to quickly upload Board agendas, write minutes during the meeting, retrieve old meeting documentation and have your own assigned actions emailed directly to you. It is also useful to steer new Directors to a document repository as part of their induction.

Cons

The software is evolving quickly so more features will arrive in time e.g. online voting, online meetings within the software.

Pros

We use Boardpro to keep us on track at our Board meetings - whether they are by skype or face to face. We take minutes as we go, saving time and making sure we records everything. We have really lifted our game.

Cons

For a small charity it is a bit pricey - though this has to be weighed up against the benefit of making sure everything is recorded

made my job easier, saved me time and looks professional

Pros

It's simple, the end product looks good and it does what I need. I have now set this up for 2 companies and it doesn't take long to set up and get it going

Cons

I haven't found any issues yet. The online support has helped me with any queries I have had. It might be good to have a larger logo but that's it for present.

We have saved time and money improved forward planning and communication, it's been a game changer.

Pros

For those that are needing an idea where to start, BoardPro gives you that.
For those that then need flexibility to adapt their board meeting, BoardPro handles it with ease.
For those directors and chair's that sit on multiple entities, BoardPro is a must have.
On the move needing access when you what where you are, BoardPro is Cloud based.
Quite simple it's a game changer

Cons

This product is constantly being developed, as such you need to be using it regularly to get the full benefit. Training for those directors who are still used to paper board packs will need a little extra effort to help on-board them well

Pros

Easy to use even with non technical people. Everyone on same page! Simple things like numbering of every page of document. Technical support is great. One simple question with a very quick answer.

Cons

I have looked at a number of packages and the others had a number of issues. There are none with Board Pro

Ease of location and access to upcoming meeting info and historic ones - visbility of tasks

Pros

A simple clean UI that makes use straight forward, affordable pricing, online access. The ability to attach papers to the agenda and generate to do items as well as minutes is very useful.

Cons

The developments in recent months have removed any needs i had. I am looking forward to a iphone app to continue the ease of access.

Tidy, accurate reporting and management.

Pros

The best thing about the software is the cloud hosting so it available to everybody all the time. Our board secretary drives the content collation but board members all use in slightly different ways and on different types of device - but they all use it.

Cons

Constantly get lost with the minutes action items and the open action items on the published agenda. Maybe that's just me.

Pros

Ease of use, reduction in resource and overhead to effectively manage governance requirements. Real time updating.

Cons

More capacity to develop document storage repository and library, Id like to be able to develop a governance storage space independant to the organisation to assist with board sucession planning.

save time
improve accuracy
keep all docs in one place

Pros

writing up minutes as we go - saves time and improves accuracy
sending out minutes with actions and papers attached is a breeze

Cons

some of the stages of agendas and minutes don't quite make sense so I'm often not sure whether I'm at the right stage for others to add board papers for example

Saves time. It is secure and transferable if i go under a bus. It is professional governance adapted for New Zealand business

Pros

The developers are always available to help and are always seeking ways to improve. I've marked this hard because it is not yet perfect but we will be sticking with it as the changes and developments are making it much more intuitive and indispensable, It is saving time and makes us present much more professionally.

Pros

It is great for board members to have a central portal for board papers and documents of interest. The secretariat is particularly happy with the efficiencies the Boardpro product has provided, which is making their job easier, using templates to take minutes and preparing board packs. Members are responding to the prompts and follow up items system through boardPro which is assisting busy members to complete tasks.

Cons

There is very little not to like, however boardPro requires a bulletin board for members to post interest pieces or make comments, post changes, apologies etc. securely without the need to email,txt etc.

Pros

The software is very user friendly. We have a broad range of skills on our board & they have all found the ease of use is great. Our board meetings are quite long and we have found that the use of BoardPro has made each member significantly more productive. Enjoy the ease with which you can look up the past minutes, agendas & appendices. The elimination of piles of paper & carrying lots of reference files is brilliant.

Saving of my time, paper and money (no longer printing out board papers and couriering them to board members), ease of access for board members, less stress and more time to concentrate on other areas of the role when board papers are due to be sent out. I would highly recommend any small to medium business converting to Boardpro

Pros

Ease of use, saves time and is stressless. Easy to create an agenda and modify agenda items and move documents, minute taking is effortless, action points are circulated to board members. The team are proactive in making improvements to Boardpro which is great to see.

Cons

Sometimes the minutes take up too many pages when it is printed due to the formatting. I would also like to see more options for present, early departure and lateness added which I will email Boardpro directly about.

Personally I found the software enable the meetings we help to run much better, with a flow of information prior, during and afterward far superior to manually documenting the meeting process. Please note we are a sporting entity with no employed staff. The company size question below does not allow for a volunteer answer. I am grateful for the opportunity to have access to Board-Pro.

Pros

The ability to capture discussion formulate outcomes, and followup tasks assigned correctly as the meeting progressed, saving time and providing a fast and efficient record.

It suits my busy work life, simple and effective to set up board packs etc. I recommend this alot.

Pros

It's simple and effective. From setting up meetings, sending out the board pack, and writing and sending the minutes. Love it.

Cons

The board would like to be able to take notes on their ipads directly onto the screen - not sure if this is achievable? I'll send an email and ask the team.

Removed the manual Board pack compilation process into a single electronic document with all information held in one place

Pros

The ability to drag and drop files and the ease of building a Board pack is what I like most. The fact the software continues to be improved is also great to see.

Cons

The main comment from our Directors has been around the ability to annotate/mark up their Board packs