What Is an Online Data Room For M&A?

An online data room is a repository of documents accessed via the Internet and secured access via user identification and password. It offers cost savings over traditional datarooms and a variety of benefits, such as a simple access to search and collaboration.

The seller’s company must upload relevant documents to an online dataroom so that they can be seen and used by the purchasing side. This is crucial because due diligence is a critical aspect of the M&A process and failure to have all the necessary documents could slow or end an acquisition.

M&A VDR providers have a diverse array of features, from simple drag-anddrop file uploading to optical character recognition that automatically indexes files and creates an logical data room structure with index numbers. Certain M&A VDR providers board portal software offer provide document access with granular permissions and allow users to specify access restrictions for each folder and file. Other options include multi-factor authentication, that allows users to authenticate their identity in just a few steps, such as entering a single-use SMS.

A reputable online data room provider will have a support team always available to answer any questions. Some providers have a phone or chat line, while others have various support channels like email and live video conferencing. They also provide comprehensive help guides and a Q&A area where users can ask questions to experts.