Staff Intranet Development: A Guide to Building a Strong Internal Network

Introduction

In today’s digital age, having a strong internal network is crucial for businesses to streamline communication, collaboration, and information sharing among their staff. A staff intranet serves as a centralized platform where employees can access important resources, documents, and tools, making their work more efficient and productive. In this guide, we will explore the process of staff intranet development and provide insights on how to build a strong internal network.

The Benefits of SharePoint Intranet

SharePoint is a popular platform for intranet development due to its robust features and flexibility. Whether you choose SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint online, it offers a wide range of benefits for your staff intranet:

• Centralized document management: SharePoint allows you to store, organize, and share documents in a centralized location, making it easy for employees to access the information they need.
• Collaboration and communication: SharePoint provides various collaboration tools such as team sites, discussion boards, and shared calendars, enabling employees to work together effectively.
• Customization options: SharePoint offers a range of customization options, allowing you to tailor your intranet to meet your specific business needs and branding requirements.
• Integration with other systems: SharePoint can be integrated with other business systems such as CRM, ERP, and HR software, providing a seamless experience for employees.
• Security and access control: SharePoint offers robust security features, allowing you to control access to sensitive information and protect your data.

Choosing a SharePoint Development Agency

When embarking on staff intranet development, it is important to choose the right SharePoint development agency to ensure a successful implementation. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a SharePoint development agency:

• Experience and expertise: Look for a SharePoint development agency with a proven track record in intranet development and customization.
• Client testimonials and case studies: Check for client testimonials and case studies to gauge the agency’s capabilities and client satisfaction.
• Collaborative approach: Choose an agency that values collaboration and involves your team in the development process.
• Support and maintenance: Inquire about the agency’s support and maintenance services to ensure ongoing assistance after the intranet is launched.
• Cost-effectiveness: Consider the agency’s pricing structure and ensure it aligns with your budget and requirements.

Intranet Design and Development Process

The design and development process of a staff intranet involves several stages. Here is a general outline of the process:

1. Discovery and planning: This stage involves understanding your business requirements, goals, and user needs. It includes conducting interviews, workshops, and user surveys to gather information.
2. Information architecture: In this stage, the structure and organization of the intranet are defined. This includes creating site maps, navigation menus, and content categorization.
3. Design and branding: The visual design of the intranet is created, taking into consideration your branding guidelines and user experience principles.
4. Development and customization: The intranet is built using SharePoint’s development tools and customized to meet your specific requirements.
5. Testing and quality assurance: The intranet is thoroughly tested to ensure functionality, usability, and compatibility across different devices and browsers.
6. Deployment and training: The intranet is deployed to your organization’s servers or the cloud, and training sessions are conducted to familiarize employees with its features and functionalities.
7. Ongoing support and maintenance: After the intranet is launched, ongoing support and maintenance services are provided to address any issues or enhancements.

Outsourcing SharePoint Development

Outsourcing SharePoint development can be a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses that do not have the in-house expertise or resources to develop their staff intranet. Here are some benefits of outsourcing SharePoint development:

• Access to specialized expertise: Outsourcing allows you to tap into the expertise of SharePoint developers who have extensive experience in intranet development.
• Cost savings: Outsourcing can be more cost-effective than hiring and training an in-house team for SharePoint development.
• Time savings: Outsourcing allows you to focus on your core business activities while the SharePoint development agency takes care of the intranet development process.
• Flexibility and scalability: Outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale your intranet development resources up or down based on your business needs.
• Ongoing support and maintenance: Many SharePoint development agencies offer ongoing support and maintenance services, ensuring the smooth operation of your intranet.

Conclusion

Building a strong internal network through staff intranet development is essential for businesses to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity among their employees. SharePoint intranet offers a range of features and benefits that can help you achieve this goal. By choosing the right SharePoint development agency and following a structured design and development process, you can create a customized and efficient intranet for your organization. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development if you lack the in-house expertise or resources. With the right approach, your staff intranet can become a valuable asset for your business.