Your Quick Guide to Intranet Development: What to Expect
Introduction
Intranets have become an essential tool for businesses to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity within their organizations. SharePoint, a powerful platform developed by Microsoft, is widely used for intranet development due to its robust features and flexibility. If you are considering developing an intranet for your organization using SharePoint, this guide will provide you with an overview of what to expect, the benefits of SharePoint intranet development, and the different options available for development.
The Benefits of SharePoint Intranet Development
SharePoint intranet development offers numerous benefits for organizations, including:
- Improved Communication: SharePoint intranets provide a centralized platform for employees to access important information, documents, and announcements, improving communication within the organization.
- Enhanced Collaboration: SharePoint intranets enable employees to collaborate on projects, share documents, and work together in real-time, increasing productivity and efficiency.
- Streamlined Workflows: SharePoint intranets can automate and streamline business processes, reducing manual tasks and improving overall workflow efficiency.
- Knowledge Management: SharePoint intranets allow organizations to store and organize knowledge assets, making it easier for employees to find and access information.
- Customization: SharePoint intranets can be customized to meet the specific needs of an organization, including branding, layout, and functionality.
- Security: SharePoint intranets offer robust security features, ensuring that sensitive company information is protected.
Options for SharePoint Intranet Development
There are two main options for SharePoint intranet development: SharePoint On-Premise and SharePoint Online.
SharePoint On-Premise
SharePoint On-Premise refers to the traditional method of hosting SharePoint on servers within the organization’s premises. This option provides organizations with full control over their intranet environment and allows for extensive customization. However, it requires significant upfront investment in hardware, software, and IT resources for maintenance and support.
SharePoint Online
SharePoint Online, on the other hand, is a cloud-based solution provided by Microsoft as part of Office 365. This option eliminates the need for organizations to invest in infrastructure and provides automatic updates and maintenance. SharePoint Online offers a range of features and customization options, although some advanced customization may be limited compared to SharePoint On-Premise.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Organizations have the option to outsource their SharePoint development to a specialized agency. Outsourcing SharePoint development can offer several advantages, including:
- Expertise: SharePoint development agencies have extensive experience and expertise in developing intranets using SharePoint, ensuring a high-quality and efficient development process.
- Cost Savings: Outsourcing SharePoint development can be more cost-effective compared to hiring an in-house development team, as it eliminates the need for additional resources and infrastructure.
- Time Savings: SharePoint development agencies can complete the development process more quickly, allowing organizations to start using their intranet sooner.
- Support and Maintenance: SharePoint development agencies often provide ongoing support and maintenance services, ensuring that the intranet remains up-to-date and functional.
Custom SharePoint Development
Custom SharePoint development involves tailoring the intranet to meet the specific needs and requirements of an organization. This can include customizing the user interface, creating custom workflows, integrating with other systems, and developing custom features and functionalities. Custom SharePoint development offers organizations the flexibility to create a unique intranet that aligns with their business processes and goals.
Managed SharePoint Services
In addition to development, organizations can also opt for managed SharePoint services. Managed SharePoint services involve outsourcing the management and maintenance of the SharePoint environment to a specialized provider. This can include tasks such as monitoring, troubleshooting, security updates, and performance optimization. Managed SharePoint services allow organizations to focus on their core business activities while ensuring that their intranet remains secure and up-to-date.
Conclusion
SharePoint intranet development offers numerous benefits for organizations, including improved communication, enhanced collaboration, streamlined workflows, and knowledge management. Organizations have the option to choose between SharePoint On-Premise and SharePoint Online for their intranet development, each with its own advantages. Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can provide expertise, cost savings, and time savings. Custom SharePoint development allows organizations to tailor their intranet to their specific needs, while managed SharePoint services ensure ongoing support and maintenance. By understanding the options and benefits of SharePoint intranet development, organizations can make informed decisions and create a successful intranet that drives productivity and efficiency within their organization.