SS C Intralinks is a pioneer in the virtual data room industry. It was established in 1996 and was used for syndicated lending by major banks in the US and the Asia Pacific regions. In 2002, Intralinks launched the world’s first virtual data room, changing the way businesses secure and share sensitive documents.

Intralinks data room is mainly used during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), post-merger integrations, legal proceedings, and capital raising activities. This is the top virtual data room software choice among investment banks and law firms, including Fortune 500 companies.

If you are an Indian business considering Intralinks as your go-to VDR option, explore this review. It covers key features, use cases, as well as strengths and potential limitations of the Intralinks data room. When comparing the Intralinks platform with other VDRs, check out this list of virtual data room providers for a detailed overview.

Intralinks features and capabilities

Intralinks is a virtual data room software that is built to handle the complex demands of enterprise-level transactions. That means its features are designed with security and efficiency at their core. The key Intralinks features include:

Document security

Intralinks VDR employs bank-grade security measures for data protection. These are:

  • Data encryption both in transit and at rest.
  • Dynamic watermarking that deters unauthorized screenshotting or printing of sensitive content.
  • Information rights management (IRM) allows administrators to control what users can do with documents even after they have been downloaded.

Deal management

The platform makes managing deals easier with data analysis tools such as:

  • DealCentre workflow, a centralized dashboard to manage the deal lifecycle.
  • Pre-configured project templates for common processes like M&A, fund reporting, investor reporting, or audits to speed up setup.
  • Milestone tracking tools that monitor key deadlines and project progress.

User access control

Virtual data room administrators have granular control over who sees what and for how long:

  • Granular permissions set view-only, print, or download access at the folder or individual file level.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security at login.
  • Session timeouts automatically log users out after they have been inactive for a while.

Analytics & Insights

SS C Intralinks provides deep visibility into user engagement within the data room. It offers:

  • Real-time reporting to see who has accessed which documents and when.
  • Document heat maps to show the most and least viewed pages.
  • User activity tracking tools for compliance and oversight.

Collaboration tools

The platform also includes secure communication channels to keep all deal-related discussions contained:

  • Secure messaging with encrypted chat features.
  • Q&A management to pose, answer, and track questions.
  • Document annotation for authorized users to add comments and notes directly to documents.

Mobile access

  • Native iOS and Android apps to access documents on the go.
  • Offline synchronization to work with files even when internet access is limited.
  • Mobile security controls have the same level of protection as desktop, including watermarking and IRM.

Integration capabilities

  • API access to integrate with CRMs, ERPs, or other technology solutions.
  • Third-party integrations extend functionality with external apps and services.
  • Bulk upload tools to efficiently import large volumes of documents risk-free.

Key strengths and benefits

As the first ever virtual data room software in the market, Intralinks has helped close countless multi-billion-dollar deals over the years. Its clients are leading investment banks, legal firms, finance companies, and global corporations. Among their client list are Goldman Sachs, Ares, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and L’Oréal. This is a strong testament to the security and capability of Intralinks.

More than that, this service record can help you build trust with your partners and stakeholders. But Intralinks has more benefits than a long history and famous companies in their client list. Here are the main benefits of the Intralinks data room, highlighted in user reviews on G2 and Capterra:

  • Robust security and compliance

The platform is compliant with regional and global data protection laws. This makes Intralinks a well-suited option for multi-jurisdictional deals that must adhere to various regulatory standards.

What I like most about Intralinks VDRPro is its strong focus on security and control. It’s built for high-stakes environments like M&A and due diligence, and it really shows. The granular permission settings let us manage who can see what with confidence, while document watermarking and audit trails add an extra layer of accountability. — G2 review

  • Comprehensive support

Clients also benefit from dedicated customer service managers and professional assistance throughout their deals. Intralinks provides guidance on platform setup and troubleshooting so that their users can focus on transaction work rather than technical issues.

Their support team is excellent — knowledgeable, responsive, and familiar with complex deal processes. — G2 review

Very quick and helpful customer service – no wait time – High level of functionality / features. — Capterra review

  • AI-powered features

Intralinks leverages AI tools, like Dealio, to streamline document review and analysis. Users can extract key insights and summarize long filings efficiently. It saves time during complex due diligence processes when every second matters.

The ability to leverage AI (called Dealio) to get summarized information quickly and efficiently without needing to read through a 300+ page public filing document management. — Capterra review

Potential challenges and drawbacks

While powerful, the Intralinks data room may not be the perfect fit for every organization or deal size in the Indian market. There are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Premium pricing structure

Intralinks is positioned at the premium end of the VDR market. Its custom-quoted pricing can be expensive for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, or smaller deals.

Pricing is on the higher side, but it’s justified by the security and compliance guarantees it provides. — G2 review

  • Steeper learning curve

First-time users or teams with less technical expertise may need more time and training to learn how the platform works

Although the software is sufficient for its purpose, sometimes some users from other counterparties showed some difficulties when dealing with the platform. This was not a serious issue, and every counterparty was able to deal with it, but some users had some trouble. — Capterra review

  • Complex setup

While functional, the platform may offer fewer options for branding and customizing the user workflow compared to other data room services that allow for a more tailored look and feel.

Although not really the fault of Intralinks, sometimes large projects can find themselves having a tremendously messy dataroom with duplicate files and a lack of organization if it isn’t set up correctly. Sometimes, setting it up in the first place can be challenging.  — Capterra review

Intralinks pricing

Unlike some of Intralinks’ competitors, the company does not publicly disclose its pricing tiers or packages. It operates on an enterprise-level, custom-quote model. The final cost is typically determined by the following factors:

  • Size and complexity of the deal
  • Project’s duration
  • number of users who need access

Intralinks virtual data room is an investment best justified for large, high-value transactions where all its features bring significant value. They do offer a live demo upon request, but it usually involves a consultation with their sales team.

So, if you are interested in the platform or need to know the cost for process comparison with other options, contact Intralinks directly. You can also ask them if they offer localized pricing and regional support.

Optimal use scenarios

Given its features and cost, the Intralinks virtual data room is the best option for high-stakes situations. It is an excellent fit for:

  • Large-scale M&A transactions and intensive due diligence processes with multiple bidders.
  • IPO preparations and other complex capital market transactions.
  • Cross-country deals that require adherence to global compliance and sensitive data residency laws.
  • Investment banking and private equity transactions where its reputation adds credibility.
  • Enterprise-level legal and regulatory reviews for large corporations.
  • Any organization where maximum data room security and a proven audit trail are non-negotiable priorities.

For companies that explore virtual data room software for different use cases, for example, a secure document sharing for internal projects, it might be worth it to look for other virtual data room providers India and other countries have to offer. Look for a better balance of cost and functionality.

Intralinks data room: Worth it or not?

The Intralinks cloud-based data room is a powerful, enterprise-grade solution that excels in environments where security, a proven track record, and robust deal management are the highest priorities. Large corporations, global banking, and legal firms use this secure virtual data room to protect their sensitive information and for secure file sharing during high-stakes transactions.User feedback highlights its advanced security and expert guidance from its support team. However, the platform can be too expensive for smaller businesses and startups, and in this case, it is better to explore other secure document sharing options.