Drawing Intranet Design Inspiration from Successful Companies
Introduction
Intranets have become an essential tool for organizations to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity among their employees. A well-designed intranet can streamline processes, provide easy access to information, and foster a sense of community within the company. However, designing an effective intranet can be a challenging task. To help you get started, this article will explore how successful companies have approached intranet design and provide inspiration for your own intranet development.
1. Microsoft’s SharePoint Intranet
Microsoft’s SharePoint is one of the most popular intranet platforms used by companies worldwide. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it a versatile choice for intranet development. Microsoft’s own intranet, built on SharePoint, serves as a great source of inspiration.
1.1 SharePoint Development Agency
If you are considering SharePoint for your intranet, partnering with a SharePoint development agency can help you make the most of the platform’s capabilities. These agencies specialize in SharePoint development and can provide expertise in customizing and optimizing your intranet to meet your specific needs.
1.2 SharePoint Website
A SharePoint intranet can be designed to resemble a company’s external website, creating a consistent brand experience for employees. Microsoft’s SharePoint website serves as a great example of how to create a visually appealing and user-friendly intranet interface.
1.3 SharePoint Onpremise vs SharePoint Online
When designing your intranet, you will need to decide whether to use SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint Online. SharePoint on-premise offers more control and customization options, while SharePoint Online provides the convenience of cloud-based hosting. Analyzing Microsoft’s own intranet can help you understand the benefits and limitations of each option.
2. Google’s Intranet Design
Google is known for its innovative and user-friendly products, and its intranet design is no exception. Google’s intranet, known as “Moma,” focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
2.1 Intranet Design
Google’s intranet design follows the principles of Material Design, a design language developed by Google. It emphasizes clean, minimalistic interfaces, intuitive navigation, and consistent use of color and typography. Taking inspiration from Google’s intranet design can help you create a visually appealing and user-friendly intranet for your organization.
2.2 Intranet Development
Google’s intranet development process focuses on iterative design and user feedback. They involve employees in the development process, gathering feedback and making improvements based on their needs and preferences. This approach ensures that the intranet meets the specific requirements of the organization and its employees.
3. Facebook’s Workplace
Facebook’s Workplace is a communication and collaboration platform designed for organizations. While not a traditional intranet, it offers valuable insights into creating a modern and engaging digital workplace.
3.1 Custom SharePoint Development
Custom SharePoint development allows you to tailor your intranet to your organization’s unique needs. Facebook’s Workplace demonstrates the power of customization, as it offers a range of features and integrations that can be customized to fit the specific requirements of different companies.
3.2 Managed SharePoint Services
Managing a SharePoint intranet can be a complex task. Facebook’s Workplace provides managed services to ensure the smooth operation of their platform. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development or utilizing managed SharePoint services to simplify the maintenance and support of your intranet.
4. Apple’s Intranet Design
Apple is known for its sleek and modern design aesthetic, and their intranet design reflects this. Apple’s intranet, known as “AppleWeb,” focuses on simplicity, visual appeal, and seamless integration with other Apple products and services.
4.1 Intranet User Experience
Apple’s intranet design prioritizes user experience, with a clean and intuitive interface that allows employees to easily access the information and tools they need. Consider incorporating user-centered design principles into your intranet development to create a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
4.2 Intranet Integration
Apple’s intranet seamlessly integrates with other Apple products and services, such as iCloud and Apple Maps. This integration enhances productivity and collaboration by providing employees with easy access to the tools they use daily. When designing your intranet, consider how it can integrate with other systems and applications to streamline workflows.
5. Amazon’s Intranet Development
Amazon is known for its customer-centric approach, and their intranet development follows the same philosophy. Amazon’s intranet, known as “Inside Amazon,” focuses on providing employees with easy access to the information and resources they need to serve customers.
5.1 Intranet Content Organization
Amazon’s intranet organizes content based on the needs of employees, making it easy to find relevant information quickly. Consider categorizing and tagging content on your intranet to improve searchability and ensure employees can easily locate the information they need.
5.2 Intranet Search Functionality
Amazon’s intranet features a powerful search functionality that allows employees to quickly find the information they are looking for. Incorporating advanced search capabilities into your intranet can improve efficiency and productivity by reducing the time spent searching for information.
Conclusion
Drawing inspiration from successful companies can provide valuable insights and ideas for your own intranet design and development. Whether it’s Microsoft’s SharePoint, Google’s intranet design principles, Facebook’s Workplace, Apple’s sleek design aesthetic, or Amazon’s customer-centric approach, each company offers unique perspectives and best practices that can be applied to your intranet project. Remember to consider the specific needs and preferences of your organization and employees when designing your intranet, and don’t hesitate to seek the expertise of a SharePoint development agency or utilize managed SharePoint services to ensure a successful implementation.