A Guide to Comprehensive Intranet Design and Development
Introduction
In today’s digital age, organizations are increasingly relying on intranets to streamline communication, collaboration, and information sharing within their internal teams. An intranet serves as a centralized platform where employees can access company resources, documents, news, and other important information. SharePoint, a popular platform developed by Microsoft, offers a robust set of tools and features for designing and developing intranets.
Benefits of SharePoint Intranet
SharePoint intranets offer numerous benefits for organizations, including:
- Improved collaboration and communication
- Centralized access to company resources
- Efficient document management
- Enhanced security and permissions
- Customizable design and branding
Choosing a SharePoint Development Agency
When embarking on a SharePoint intranet development project, it is important to choose the right development agency. Here are some factors to consider:
- Experience and expertise in SharePoint development
- Portfolio of previous SharePoint projects
- Client testimonials and reviews
- Ability to understand and meet your specific requirements
- Availability of ongoing support and maintenance services
SharePoint On-Premise vs SharePoint Online
SharePoint is available in two deployment options: on-premise and online. On-premise SharePoint is installed and hosted on your organization’s own servers, providing complete control over the infrastructure and data. SharePoint Online, on the other hand, is a cloud-based solution hosted by Microsoft, offering scalability, accessibility, and automatic updates.
Intranet Design Best Practices
Designing an effective intranet requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Keep the design clean and clutter-free
- Ensure easy navigation and search functionality
- Use consistent branding and visual elements
- Optimize for mobile devices
- Include relevant and engaging content
Intranet Development Process
The development process for a SharePoint intranet typically involves the following steps:
- Requirement gathering and analysis
- Information architecture and wireframing
- Design and branding
- Development and customization
- Testing and quality assurance
- Deployment and training
- Ongoing support and maintenance