User Permissions Explained: Who Can See What in Commnia | Controlling vs External Companies

How do permissions work with two controlling companies?

Quick answer

On platforms configured with two controlling companies, each company has broad access across Commnia but their private data - such as emails and meeting minutes - remains separate from each other. External companies are limited to content explicitly shared with them.

Note: Controlling companies also have permissions at the user level. Role-based permissions may further restrict access within a controlling company.

Company types explained

CC Controlling companies (1 & 2)

The primary organisations on the platform. They have full access to modules. Each company's private data - such as emails and meeting minutes - is kept confidential from the other.

EXT External companies

Third-party organisations invited to collaborate. Their access is intentionally limited to content that is directly shared with them.

Module-by-module permissions

Drive

Folder visibility depends on how it was created. Private folders are invisible to everyone except the creator's company.

Controlling co. 1

Full access as creator - private and internally shared folders.

Controlling co. 2

View access to internally shared folders only. Cannot see private folders.

External company

Cannot view any folders regardless of sharing setting.

Exception: System Admins across both controlling companies can view and edit all internally shared folders. Any internal user with Full Permission can delete folders and files regardless of which controlling company created them.

Document Register

Both controlling companies have full access. External companies can view and upload, but cannot edit or delete.

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access - view, edit, accept/reject, upload. Delete restricted to Document Controllers and System Admins.

External company

View shared documents only. Request edit access. Upload for approval. Cannot delete or accept/reject.

Transmittal Grid

All users can access the Transmittal Grid. Grid Rule management is restricted to privileged roles.

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access including Grid Rules (Document Controllers & System Admins only).

External company

Access to the grid, but no access to Grid Rules configuration.

Mark Up and Send

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access to all functions.

External company

Full access, limited to documents shared with them or that they uploaded themselves.

Document Management

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access.

External company

No access

Document Workflows

Controlling companies manage templates and all workflows. External companies can only participate in workflows they are directly involved in.

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access - view all workflows and create templates.

External company

View and interact with workflows they are directly involved in. Can initiate workflows using existing templates only.

Tender Grid & Tender Manager

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Tender Grid: full access. Tender Manager: Procurement Group & System Admins only.

External company

No access to either module

Inbox

All users have access. Email visibility is strictly scoped - each company can only see their own correspondence unless directly involved.

Controlling co. 1

Full access. Cannot see Company 2's emails unless directly involved.

Controlling co. 2

Full access. Cannot see Company 1's emails unless directly involved.

External company

Only emails shared with them or created by them.

Note: Inbox Administrators and System Administrators can see all correspondence.

Contacts

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access to Project Users, Groups and Directory.

External company

Limited access - groups they belong to only.

Meeting Minutes

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full access to their own meeting minutes only. Managed separately per company.

External company

No access

Site Diary

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full shared access.

External company

No access

SmartForms

Each company sees their own submissions plus those sent to them or from authorised parties. Template management is role-based.

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Own submissions + those sent to them + collaborators and authorised parties. Full template management per individual permissions.

External company

Own company submissions + those sent to them. View-only access to templates.

Exception: System Admins can see all submissions across the platform, including those marked as Private.

Sign-On, Notices & Inductions

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full shared access to Sign-On, Notices, and Inductions.

External company

No platform access - interact via QR code on site.

Location

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full shared access.

External company

No access

Photos

Controlling co. 1 & 2

Full shared access.

External company

Can upload and view their own photos only.

Reference summary

Platform Permission Matrix
ModuleFunction / featureControlling co. 1Controlling co. 2External company
DriveCreate folder - no sharingFull access (creator)Cannot viewCannot view
Create folder - internal sharingFull access (creator)Can viewCannot view
Document RegisterViewFull accessFull accessOnly when shared
EditFull accessFull accessRequest edit only
DeleteDC & System Admin onlyDC & System Admin onlyNo
Accept / RejectDC & System Admin onlyDC & System Admin onlyNo
Upload documentYesYesYes
Transmittal GridAccessYesYesYes
Grid RulesDC & System Admin onlyDC & System Admin onlyNo
Mark Up and SendAccess & functionsFull accessFull accessShared / uploaded docs only
Document ManagementAccess & functionsFull accessFull accessNo access
Document WorkflowsAccessYesYesInvolved workflows only
Create templateYesYesInitiate only
Tender GridAccess & functionsYesYesNo access
Tender ManagerAccess & functionsProcurement Group & SysAdminProcurement Group & SysAdminNo access
InboxAccess & functionsYesYesYes
VisibilityCannot see Company 2 emailsCannot see Company 1 emailsShared or created by them only
ContactsAccess & functionsFull accessFull accessLimited
Meeting MinutesAccess & functionsFull - unique to companyFull - unique to companyNo access
Site DiaryAccess & functionsFull - sharedFull - sharedNo access
SmartFormsSubmission visibilityOwn + sent + collabs / authOwn + sent + collabs / authOwn + sent
TemplatesFull - edit per permissionsFull - edit per permissionsView only
Sign-OnSign onFull - sharedFull - sharedNo access
NoticesFull - sharedFull - sharedNo access
InductionsFull - sharedFull - sharedNo access
LocationAccess & functionsFull - sharedFull - sharedNo access
PhotosAccess & functionsFull - sharedFull - sharedUpload & view own only
Legend: Full access / Yes Conditional / Limited No access / Restricted Role-specific - see cell Unique / Scoped
Note: Only Document Controllers, Procurement Group Members, and System Admins can edit Grid Rules. External companies interact with Sign-On functions by scanning a QR code on site.

Notes & exceptions

Drive - internal sharing

System Admins across both internal companies can view and edit all internally shared folders. Folders and files can be deleted by any internal user with Full Permission, regardless of controlling company.

SmartForms - submission visibility

System Admins can see all submissions across the platform, including those marked as Private.

Inbox - visibility

Inbox Administrators and System Administrators see all correspondence, regardless of which controlling company sent or received it.

User-level permissions

The permissions above apply at the company level. Controlling companies also have user-level permissions that can further restrict access within the company.

Common issues

ProblemA user cannot see a folder or document they expect to have access to.
CauseThe content may have been created without internal sharing enabled, or the user belongs to an external company and the document hasn't been shared.
FixAsk the content owner to check sharing settings, or send a transmittal with the document attached.

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