Strategic Intranet Development: A New Approach for the Modern Workplace
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication and collaboration within organizations are crucial for success. Traditional methods of sharing information and collaborating, such as email and physical documents, are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the modern workplace. This is where intranets come in.
What is an Intranet?
An intranet is a private network that is only accessible to employees within an organization. It serves as a centralized hub for sharing information, collaborating on projects, and accessing important resources. Intranets can be customized to meet the specific needs of an organization and can include features such as document management, employee directories, news feeds, and more.
The Benefits of Intranet Development
Implementing a strategic intranet development approach can bring numerous benefits to the modern workplace. Some of these benefits include:
- Improved Communication: An intranet provides a platform for employees to easily communicate and share information, regardless of their location or department. This leads to increased collaboration and productivity.
- Centralized Information: With an intranet, all important documents, policies, and procedures can be stored in one central location. This makes it easier for employees to find the information they need, reducing time wasted searching for documents.
- Streamlined Processes: Intranets can automate and streamline various processes within an organization, such as leave requests, expense approvals, and performance evaluations. This improves efficiency and reduces administrative burden.
- Enhanced Employee Engagement: An intranet can include features such as employee recognition programs, social networking tools, and discussion forums. This fosters a sense of community and engagement among employees.
- Cost Savings: By digitizing and automating various processes, organizations can save on paper, printing, and administrative costs. In addition, an intranet reduces the need for physical meetings and travel expenses.
Choosing the Right Intranet Development Solution
When it comes to intranet development, organizations have two main options: SharePoint on-premise and SharePoint online. SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that offers a wide range of features and customization options.
SharePoint on-premise is installed and managed on the organization’s own servers. This gives organizations full control over their intranet and allows for extensive customization. However, it also requires a dedicated IT team to manage and maintain the servers.
SharePoint online, on the other hand, is a cloud-based solution that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. This eliminates the need for organizations to invest in their own servers and IT infrastructure. SharePoint online offers many of the same features as SharePoint on-premise, but with the added benefits of scalability, automatic updates, and accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Developing and maintaining a SharePoint intranet can be a complex and time-consuming task. Many organizations choose to outsource their SharePoint development to a specialized agency. Outsourcing SharePoint development offers several advantages:
- Expertise: SharePoint development agencies have extensive experience and expertise in developing and customizing SharePoint intranets. They can provide valuable insights and best practices to ensure the success of the project.
- Cost Savings: Outsourcing SharePoint development can be more cost-effective than hiring and training an in-house team. Agencies often have established processes and tools in place, resulting in faster and more efficient development.
- Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can focus on their core competencies and strategic initiatives, while leaving the technical aspects to the experts.
- Continuous Support: SharePoint development agencies often offer managed services, providing ongoing support and maintenance for the intranet. This ensures that the intranet remains up-to-date and secure.
Custom SharePoint Development
While SharePoint offers a wide range of out-of-the-box features, organizations may have unique requirements that cannot be met with standard functionality. In such cases, custom SharePoint development is necessary.
Custom SharePoint development involves creating tailored solutions and applications that integrate seamlessly with the SharePoint platform. This can include custom workflows, dashboards, data visualizations, and more. Custom development allows organizations to fully leverage the power of SharePoint and create a truly personalized intranet experience.
Conclusion
Intranets have become an essential tool for organizations looking to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity in the modern workplace. Strategic intranet development, whether through SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint online, offers numerous benefits and can be further enhanced through outsourcing and custom development. By investing in a well-designed and well-implemented intranet, organizations can create a more connected and efficient workplace.