A well-designed Enterprise intranet is the key to a successful business. It helps to streamline internal communications, boost productivity, and increase engagement in the workplace. It also allows employees to work better as collaborative teams.
Look for an intranet solution that integrates with other tools and software your company uses. Evaluate the cost structure, including the per-user and monthly costs. Also, be sure to consider the vendor’s reputation and customer support capabilities.
User-friendly interface
An intranet is a network that allows employees to share information with one another. It can include a database and applications that support the organization’s workflow. It also provides a central location for sharing updates from corporate leadership and other companywide announcements. It can also feature division and team-specific subsections to keep everyone on the same page. An intranet can save companies money by eliminating paper and printing costs. Additionally, it can reduce the time employees spend looking for information and can increase productivity.
An effective intranet will have a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and understand. It should provide clear information hierarchy and avoid cluttering the interface with images or links. The platform should be accessible to users with disabilities and include accessibility features such as screen readers. Additionally, it should allow for user feedback to make improvements and ensure that the intranet is up-to-date.
An intranet can also be a great tool for creating a vibrant workplace culture. Research shows that highly engaged employees are 21 percent more productive and 17 percent more profitable. The best way to foster employee engagement is by providing a seamless work experience that integrates their tools, calendars, and files. In addition, an intranet can offer features like a search engine and social collaboration tools. It can even offer a unified digital operating system for teams and enable right-to-left language support.
Mobile compatibility
An intranet should be mobile-friendly. This ensures that all employees can use the app regardless of their device type. A well-designed app should also include a search tool that can be easily accessed. This will make it easy for employees to find what they need, especially in a crowded workspace. It will also save time and money, as information is centralized in one place.
In contrast, traditional intranet portals are slow to update and difficult to access for frontline workers. They are also not ideally suited to the rapid knowledge sharing that occurs in applications like Slack and Teams. In addition, intranets are not designed to reduce information overload. As a result, employees are overwhelmed with tabs, apps, and channels.
A new intranet can solve these challenges by offering a user-friendly interface and providing a variety of communication tools, including chatbots. It can also offer a streamlined user experience and enable collaboration on the go. However, you should also take into account the needs of your team and its specific workflows. For example, a team that works remotely may require additional tools for communication and work management. You should also consider a cloud-based solution, which can support multiple languages. For example, Happeo is a social intranet that offers several tools for effective workplace communication and collaboration. It also supports right-to-left language support, which is useful for companies with international locations.
Integration capabilities
In the age of remote and hybrid work, it’s essential that frontline workers can connect with the information and resources they need. Fortunately, a modern intranet solution can do this from anywhere with an Internet connection.
A company intranet should offer a one-stop-shop, meaning key process requests like ordering business cards or submitting travel requests can be done within the platform. This will improve internal communications and reduce the burden on the IT department. The platform should also integrate with other systems, so employees don’t have to switch between applications.
Traditional intranet solutions often suffer from outdated interfaces and clunky search functionality, making them less effective for today’s workforce. In addition, these portals are often hosted on-premise, which can lead to increased infrastructure costs and maintenance complexities. This type of system can also be difficult to customize to meet changing organizational needs.
As the world of work becomes more digital and mobile, businesses need an employee intranet solution that’s scalable and ready for future growth. A great option is a cloud-based platform that offers multiple features, including a mobile app and desktop browser integrations, for maximum compatibility and ease of use. In addition, a good intranet vendor should provide regular updates and prompt customer support. This will help ensure that the solution is always up-to-date and responsive to user feedback.
Security
With more and more companies allowing employees to work remotely, securing intranet access becomes even more important. Employees may use public Wi-Fi networks to connect to the intranet, and this exposes them to hacking, interception, and data theft. The IT department should require the use of VPNs, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology, and firewall software to protect the network. They should also prevent login details from saving on mobile devices and set automatic time-outs to avoid data loss.
Additionally, the IT team should ensure that employees install antivirus software on their personal devices. This will help them identify malicious links and protect their own systems from cyberattacks. Similarly, remote workers should not respond to emails or messages that ask for confidential client information or other sensitive details. They should also check their device’s password policy and update it periodically.
In addition to security measures, the IT team should educate employees on responsible governance protocols and make it clear that their company is committed to protecting its digital assets. Cyberattacks can be devastating to businesses, and they can cost millions in fines, legal fees, and lost revenue. Additionally, they can damage a company’s reputation by making it look negligent or untrustworthy. This could lead to a loss of business with customers, investors, and partners. The average cost of a data breach is now nearly $200,000, and many businesses never recover from these soft damages.