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Understanding BoardWorks Access: Browser vs. Mobile Apps

A Simple Guide for Board Members & Administrators

BoardWorks can be accessed either through a web browser or through our mobile BoardWorks apps on the following platforms.

  • iPad

  • iPhone

  • MacOS

  • Windows (Surface, Laptop, Desktop)

  • Android (Phones & Tablets)

While both options are supported, they are purposefully designed for different roles and activities. This guide explains those differences so you can choose the best experience for your role.

Two Access Methods, Two Primary Uses

Web Browser Access

Designed for administration and content creation/management

The BoardWorks web portal is where all administrative work is performed, including:

  • Performing system and administrative tasks

  • Managing users, committees and officer groups

  • Creating meetings and board content

  • Uploading and managing reference documents

  • Managing books and materials

Important to note:

Administrators can log into the mobile apps, but no administrative functionality exists in the apps. When using an app, administrators have the same experience as a board member - focused on viewing and participating, not managing content. Many Administrators often login to the mobile apps as a quick check after publishing a meeting.

BoardWorks Apps (iPad, iPhone, MacOS, Windows, Android)

Designed for accessing secure board materials

The BoardWorks apps are optimized for how board members typically review and interact with materials. They support:

  • Reading and reviewing board books / documents

  • Making private annotations and sharing annotations

  • Signing Documents (Signature Requests)

  • Participating in votings, surveys, and evaluations

  • Secure direct messaging (on supported platforms)

  • Offline access to materials

The apps are where board members typically spend most of their time.

What’s Available Everywhere?

Regardless of how you access BoardWorks, the following core functionalities are available across both browser and apps:

  • Meetings & Events

  • Documents (Reference)

  • Alerts

  • Evaluations

  • Surveys

  • Voting

  • Links

  • Profiles

This ensures that essential access to board materials is always accessible.

Security: An Important Difference

One of the biggest differences between browser access and app access relates to how sensitive information is protected.

Web Browser:

  • Relies on the security of the computer being used

  • Limited ability to control what happens after documents are downloaded or printed

BoardWorks Apps

  • Encrypt documents on the device

  • Require keys for actions like printing, emailing, or opening documents outside of the BoardWorks apps

  • Support remote wipe if a device is lost or compromised

These additional safeguards are a key reason the apps are recommended for board use.

Common Tasks by Platform

The following table highlights where common BoardWorks activities can be performed.

Task

Web Browser (Portal)

BoardWorks Apps

Create Meetings

Available

Not Available

Edit Meetings

Available

Not Available

Upload Documents

Available

Not Available

Create Meeting Books

Available

Not Available

Create Voting

Available

Not Available

Create Surveys

Available

Not Available

Create Evaluations

Available

Not Available

Create Signature Requests

Available

Not Available

Manage Users

Available

Not Available

Manage Committees

Available

Not Available

Manage Officer Groups

Available

Not Available

Configure System Settings

Available

Not Available

Review Board Books

Available

Available

Access Reference Documents

Available

Available

Annotate Documents

Available

Available

Sign Documents

Not Available

Available

Participate in Discussions

Available

Available

Respond to Voting

Available

Available

Respond to Surveys

Available

Available

Respond to Evaluations

Available

Available

Use BoardWorks AI

Available

Available

Use BoardWorks Chat

Not Available

Available*

*Availability may vary by platform and configuration.
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Important Note

Administrative functions such as creating meetings, uploading documents, creating voting, creating surveys, creating evaluations, managing users, managing committees, managing officer groups, and configuring system settings are not available in the BoardWorks mobile apps and can only be performed through the BoardWorks Portal (web browser).

The BoardWorks apps are intended for reviewing materials, signing documents, completing tasks, participating in board activities, collaborating with other users, and accessing BoardWorks AI features.

BoardWorks AI Availability

Feature

Web Browser (Portal)

BoardWorks Apps

BoardWorks Support Assistant

Available

Available

AI Summaries

Available

Available

Custom Queries

Available

Available

Saved Summaries

Available

Available

Recommended Approach

Administrators:

Use the web browser for creating, uploading, and managing content.

Board Members:

Use the BoardWorks apps for reviewing board materials, annotating documents, and participating in board functions/tasks.

This separation helps ensure both strong governance practices and better protection of confidential information.

BoardWorks is intentionally designed so that administration and content creation occur through the web portal, while secure review, engagement, and participation happen through the apps.

Both access methods work together to support secure, efficient board operations.

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