A Virtual Data Room is an internet software platform that can store private documents for easy and secure sharing amongst groups of people, notably throughout due diligence for deals. It is used primarily during M&As and IPOs however it is also utilized by healthcare and law firms as well as real estate brokers hedge funds private equity, investment banks and other companies.
Virtual Data Rooms offer multi-level security that allows administrators to control access to folders. Specifically, administrators can set privileges based on user role and track who sees which document, and for the length of time. This level of detail could be crucial for companies that need to prove compliance.
Additionally, a quality Virtual Data Room will include advanced search capabilities as well as document processing features that can scan and convert typed or handwritten text, paper documents, and even text stored as an image into a digitally readable format. This lets users find information faster and provides an extensive audit trail to ensure compliance.
While many believe that all VDRs are the same, it’s important for businesses to analyze their particular requirements and locate a vendor which can meet these requirements. Before committing to a certain solution, businesses should consider the number of users and their types as well as the scope of the project and its duration, as well as the storage requirements. They should also look over the cost structure of the provider to ensure that it can manage all types of projects and use cases at a reasonable cost.