iqBoard cloud-based app goes live for Board Members at Affiliation of Superannuation Practitioners

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iqBoard cloud-based app goes live for Board Members at Affiliation of Superannuation Practitioners

Board documents now in on-shore cloud for members of the ASP, rapid implementation meets tight delivery deadlines and impresses Board members

Melbourne, 12 June 2013 - IQ Group today confirmed the latest implementation of its boardroom technology, iqBoard with the Affiliation of Superannuation Practitioners Limited (ASP). The 10-member board now has access to a central and current Board pack in a highly secure on-shore cloud environment, easily downloadable via an app to a wide range of iPad and other mobile devices used by individual Board Members. The iqBoard solution will streamline the creation, distribution and management of Board packs for Directors and allow them to manage Board responsibilities electronically.

iqBoard is a secure meeting management and Board pack distribution platform, hosted by IQ Group's onshore cloud computing environment, iqCloud. Once implemented the iqBoard application entirely replaces traditional paper-based Board documentation packs and reduces consumables and preparation time by up to 80%for Board Secretariats.

Faced with the challenge of email communications for files on a monthly basis, the ASP needed to resolve the ongoing limitations of distributing Board papers to its Directors. For Sarah O'Brien, Company Secretary, ASP the goal was to have one source of easily accessible and accurate information: "We were faced with recurring issues for distributing each board pack including limitations on corporate email file sizes, firewall filters not allowing documents through, as well as the administration of version control with any last minute changes needed. The iqBoard solution now solves all of these challenges."

The ASP reviewed executive boardroom solutions available in the market and intended to shortlist, select and implement the new executive solution within 30 days. For O'Brien it was the reputation of IQ Group and the confidence in the consultancy's ability to deliver, as well as the functionality of the solution, that resulted in iqBoard's successful selection.

She said: "We really weren't looking for just an online repository. iqBoard provides added functionality such as agenda and meeting setting capabilities plus online voting on resolutions. These functions will benefit the ASP now and will allow us to incorporate the solution further into the Board's processes and continue to improve our efficiencies."

IQ Group implemented iqBoard for the ASP in four working days, and ensured that the creation of the agenda and first set of Board documents was finalised and delivered to all Directors to meet monthly Board meeting deadlines. Initial training was provided prior to the first meeting and in some instances within the first Board meeting to ensure that all Directors had easy access to the documentation and all were working from the correct set of documents.

The ASP brings together ten financial services organisations – AAS, AMP, ANZ Wealth, BT Financial Group, Colonial First State, Mercer, MLC, Pillar, SunSuper and Superpartners to support the Federal Government in the delivery of its SuperStream initiatives and to deliver efficiencies in the industry for the benefit of superannuation fund members.

The speed of the implementation was recognised by the ASP Board. "We were surprised by just how fast the implementation was and IQ Group supported us every step of the way to ensure that our first Board meeting was as effective as possible. Our charter as an affiliation is to identify cost efficiencies and we are pleased to confirm that iqBoard meets these requirements," concluded O'Brien.

According to IQ Group's CEO, Graham Sammells the extremely smooth implementation is ideal for Board and Secretariats searching for immediate efficiencies and cost savings. "We are thrilled to be providing this solution to an industry affiliation charged with identifying reform and innovation to improve the way we do business. It speaks volumes to have the support of our industry peers," he outlined.

Developed locally in Australia and now in operation with hundreds of Board  members across a range of industries, iqBoard was the recipient of the Victorian Merit iAward in recognition of its achievements in the Security category in July 2012.

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About IQ Group - www.iqgroup.com.au

IQ Group has helped Superannuation and Wealth Management clients through unprecedented change for more than 10 years in Australia.  From our offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, over 80 specialist consultants are helping clients improve their operations and use of technology.  Our clients benefit from IQ Group’s domain experience and commitment to project delivery.  IQ Group is part of a global company with other offices in South Africa and USA.

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