Board Packets: Printed versus Digital
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It sounds like this could all become quite a hassle and as a result quite expensive. My gut tells me this is one of those few situations where paper > tech.
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@Carnival-Boy said:
It sounds like this could all become quite a hassle and as a result quite expensive. My gut tells me this is one of those few situations where paper > tech.
That's my feeling too. We aren't talking about handing Kindles or even iPads to board members at a meeting in the office. This is an extreme level of complication and "what do we do" to get technology into the hands of people whom it sounds like are probably not used to it. At best you are going to save a few dollars. At worst you are going to do this, make them angry and have to do it again on paper anyway. Then it will cost double and they won't be happy.
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Why not offer a digital copy via iPad for the competent board members and keep it as is for the others? That will save some and be simple. Only those with home internet who know how to use an iPad or an Android tablet get one. Make it purely optional. Might cut the paper by 25%. Over time as the board gets replaced the percentages will slowly shift.
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@scottalanmiller said:
Why not offer a digital copy via iPad for the competent board members and keep it as is for the others? That will save some and be simple. Only those with home internet who know how to use an iPad or an Android tablet get one. Make it purely optional. Might cut the paper by 25%. Over time as the board gets replaced the percentages will slowly shift.
This would be my recommendation. Set up a method of distribution via sharepoint or something and then ask who wants the packet and who wants the tablet.
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This topic was approached to me again today. Some details / requests:
Camera in event unable to attend meeting
Lock it down - prevent purchansing apps and other items
Simple access to the Packet
Need about 25 unitsIt is explained to me that each member gets about 5 reams of paper per year from all the packets and supplemental information.
Since I have to control these - it might be nice to be able to remote wipe them. There is a chance that they could be forget or stolen..
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If you need a camera, that is going to limit you to more advanced devices like an Android tablet, iPad or maybe something like a Chromebook. Cheaper devices, like a Kindle, would be rules out.
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Tablet or Chromebooks are really your only options. You could go with a Dell Venue they come with Standard Windows 8 on them (not RT) so you could put a remote access client such as LMI etc. on them. Would also give you the ability to install office on them and PDF reader etc. They are not the greatest tablets on the market but at $199 what can you expect.
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iPads will definitely work best, but the cost is very high. You can get cheap Androids.
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The other nice thing about being windows is it is something people will know. Chromebooks are also easy to use. However I am not sure how the remote management etc. is on these.
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@scottalanmiller
That is my concern - iPads are expensive.. And have a tendency to grow legs and vanish. If I went with them, I'd want to establish a lock down..
Another bad thing about iPads is the setup requirements and access to iTunes and the APP store. -
@g.jacobse said:
@scottalanmiller
That is my concern - iPads are expensive.. And have a tendency to grow legs and vanish. If I went with them, I'd want to establish a lock down..
Another bad thing about iPads is the setup requirements and access to iTunes and the APP store.If your board members are thieves.... do you care?
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I would think an iPad with MDM software would be cake to lock down.
As for loss or theft, is that really your concern? Where will these devices be stored? And since we're talking about loss and theft, will you have to ensure they are all charged as well? That's one thing they don't have to worry about with their stack of paper.
I'm being mostly facetious, but not entirely. I have a doc or two who refuse to be responsible for charging their own gear, well at least they were until they started buying devices that didn't have changeable batteries, but now i have to keep whole additional laptops ready for them.
Back on topic - Why is the company worried about keeping the device locked down? I'm willing to bet that even the luddites in your group will probably find them more useful if they are allowed to use them more than for just reading these forms.
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@Dashrender said:
As for loss or theft, is that really your concern?
That's my thought. These are the "big bosses." As close as you get to owners. If they are stealing things, intentionally or because they are forgetful kleptos, I wouldn't choose to "own" that problem. It's their domain, let them do as they choose. If they drive the company into debt, who cares?
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@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
As for loss or theft, is that really your concern?
That's my thought. These are the "big bosses." As close as you get to owners. If they are stealing things, intentionally or because they are forgetful kleptos, I wouldn't choose to "own" that problem. It's their domain, let them do as they choose. If they drive the company into debt, who cares?
Well, other than you don't want them bankrupting the company because you'd like to keep your job.
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@Dashrender said:
Well, other than you don't want them bankrupting the company because you'd like to keep your job.
If they are going to do that, they are going to do that anyway.
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@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
Well, other than you don't want them bankrupting the company because you'd like to keep your job.
If they are going to do that, they are going to do that anyway.
True, and I'm not saying he needs to worry about the loss/theft of devices of the BOD, but just the same I'm sure he does care if they drive the company into debt.
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@scottalanmiller said:
@g.jacobse said:
@scottalanmiller
That is my concern - iPads are expensive.. And have a tendency to grow legs and vanish. If I went with them, I'd want to establish a lock down..
Another bad thing about iPads is the setup requirements and access to iTunes and the APP store.If your board members are thieves.... do you care?
I don't believe the Board to be thieves - Just the people that might encounter the Board Members..
@Dashrender said:
I would think an iPad with MDM software would be cake to lock down.
As for loss or theft, is that really your concern? Where will these devices be stored? And since we're talking about loss and theft, will you have to ensure they are all charged as well? That's one thing they don't have to worry about with their stack of paper.
Mostlikely - the Board Member would keep it with them during the months / years. We would 'push the new board packets to them - as long as they have Internet access (not cellular).
@Dashrender said:
Back on topic - Why is the company worried about keeping the device locked down? I'm willing to bet that even the luddites in your group will probably find them more useful if they are allowed to use them more than for just reading these forms.
We are a Non Profit - Don't want to start paying for Games like Candy Crush Soda Saga.. and all the In App Purchases.
@Dashrender @ScottAlanMiller
I don't think it to much about 'loss' this happen. Dropped, forgotten are also issues.. Life happens.. and at the most inopportune time.Loss isn't a issue I'm truely worried about at this junction. It's the easy of operation, sending / or access the packet that is the main issue.
I know one option is to put the document on our SharePoint site,.. Each member has their own email address - they do not want the Board member to have an agency email address.
And with iPads - I'd have to set up each one, and such forth with email and a CC - time I don't really have to 'waste' on setup.
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@g.jacobse said:
@scottalanmiller said:
@g.jacobse said:
@scottalanmiller
That is my concern - iPads are expensive.. And have a tendency to grow legs and vanish. If I went with them, I'd want to establish a lock down..
Another bad thing about iPads is the setup requirements and access to iTunes and the APP store.If your board members are thieves.... do you care?
I don't believe the Board to be thieves - Just the people that might encounter the Board Members..
@Dashrender said:
I would think an iPad with MDM software would be cake to lock down.
As for loss or theft, is that really your concern? Where will these devices be stored? And since we're talking about loss and theft, will you have to ensure they are all charged as well? That's one thing they don't have to worry about with their stack of paper.
Mostlikely - the Board Member would keep it with them during the months / years. We would 'push the new board packets to them - as long as they have Internet access (not cellular).
@Dashrender said:
Back on topic - Why is the company worried about keeping the device locked down? I'm willing to bet that even the luddites in your group will probably find them more useful if they are allowed to use them more than for just reading these forms.
We are a Non Profit - Don't want to start paying for Games like Candy Crush Soda Saga.. and all the In App Purchases.
@Dashrender @ScottAlanMiller
I don't think it to much about 'loss' this happen. Dropped, forgotten are also issues.. Life happens.. and at the most inopportune time.Loss isn't a issue I'm truely worried about at this junction. It's the easy of operation, sending / or access the packet that is the main issue.
I know one option is to put the document on our SharePoint site,.. Each member has their own email address - they do not want the Board member to have an agency email address.
And with iPads - I'd have to set up each one, and such forth with email and a CC - time I don't really have to 'waste' on setup.
I can understand that perhaps you don't desire to do to this work, but supporting the board is really no different than supporting the rest of your users. Without them and their money, your company would not exist.
And who is this 'they' that does not want the board to have an agency email address? If the board wanted it, they should be given it, but that's another matter.
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@Dashrender
""And who is this 'they' that does not want the board to have an agency email address? If the board wanted it, they should be given it, but that's another matter.""That was just what I was told....
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@g.jacobse said:
And with iPads - I'd have to set up each one, and such forth with email and a CC - time I don't really have to 'waste' on setup.
I create a separate Apple ID for each user, setup the iPads using that Apple ID, and use Meraki MDM to manage them (it's free). I don't specify a credit card, but users are free to add their own if they wish. One of the benefits of Apple devices is that people can install their own apps like Candy Crush without worrying about viruses or performance issues.
It really doesn't take much time to setup. You could probably do ten in an hour.
@g.jacobse said:
We are a Non Profit - Don't want to start paying for Games like Candy Crush Soda Saga.Encouraging them to install and play games is actually a great way of training them to use the device, and also to look after it. And as I mentioned, you don't have to specify a credit card when setting up the device.
In the long run, I reckon you will end up spending a lot less time and hassle supporting iPads than any Windows or Android crap.
