Custom Corporate Intranets – A Case Study & Common Features

/custom-corporate-intranets

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Features of Corporate Intranets | Key Features of a Corporate Intranet

A custom corporate intranet built around a company’s unique needs can be transformative, driving new levels of efficiency and productivity. At Web Experts, we recognize the immense potential of tailored intranet solutions to revolutionize how organizations operate. By taking the time to understand specific business workflows and objectives, we can develop intranets that seamlessly support how each client works rather than hinder it.

One standout example of the power of a custom-built intranet is our work with Cox Business Services. For this project, our team took a consultative approach, collaborating closely with Cox to analyze their requirements and design an intranet experience around their goals. The end result was an intranet that became a vital hub for communication, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across the company.

The Cox Intranet Project

Cox Business Services, a prominent U.S. provider of business internet, phone, and TV services, tasked Web Experts with developing a custom intranet to enhance their internal communications, training, and best practice sharing. This custom intranet streamlined their internal processes and provided seamless access to essential information like company policies and training materials.

Key Features:

• Robust Training Module – The intranet included a fully-featured learning management system that allowed employees to access online training courses, learning materials, and certifications. Employees could complete courses at their own pace and track their progress. Managers also used the system to assign training and monitor employee development. This self-service learning environment was key for onboarding new staff and ensuring continuous skills development across the organization.
• Collaboration Platform – The intranet provided modern collaboration tools like user forums, groups, and shared workspaces where employees could come together virtually to share knowledge. Teams used forums to post best practices, lessons learned, and advice across the entire company. Project groups leveraged shared drives and calendars to coordinate initiatives. These tools broke down information silos and improved collaboration.
• Improved Productivity – By providing quick access to knowledge, workflows, and communication, the intranet drove higher productivity levels across the organization. Employees could quickly tap into needed information and experts without lengthy searches. Streamlined workflows and self-service tools reduced redundant tasks. With the intranet as a hub, employees wasted less time while collaborating and innovating more effectively together. Overall operational efficiency improved markedly across all business units after the intranet’s launch.

Latest Trends

Corporate custom intranets are evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies and changing workplace dynamics. Recent trends in custom intranets include:

• Employee Experience and User-First Design – The success of a custom intranet heavily depends on user engagement and satisfaction. A good employee experience in custom intranets is critical, as poor design and usability can lead to failed custom intranet initiatives.
• Intranet Analytics – Analytical features in custom intranets enable companies to measure the success of their internal communication strategies and identify knowledge gaps within teams.
• SaaS vs. Custom-Built Intranets – There’s a growing trend towards using cloud-based SaaS intranets for their convenience and customizability, though building a custom intranet offers tailored solutions for specific business needs.
• Intranet Integration Features – Successful custom employee intranets now integrate external collaboration tools to streamline information and workflows.
• Content Relevancy – Modern corporate intranets focus on delivering personalized and relevant content to users, enhancing engagement and productivity.
• Mobile Custom Intranet and Apps – With the rise of mobile workforces, custom intranets are adapting to provide seamless mobile experiences.

Web Experts’ Approach To Building Intranets

At Web Experts, we take a holistic approach when creating custom corporate intranets for our clients. Our solutions leverage cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to power knowledgebase and responsive web design for seamless access across devices. We don’t rely solely on tech innovations – we also emphasize a deep understanding of each client’s specific business goals, workflows, and security needs in our solutions.

When embarking on the design of a new custom intranet, our team at Web Experts places significant emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders throughout the organization. This collaborative approach is pivotal in understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by different departments. By engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, from executive leadership to front-line employees, we gain a comprehensive view of the organization’s workflows, communication patterns, and information-sharing needs. This in-depth dialogue helps us to identify key functionalities and features that will make the intranet more than just a tool but a vital part of the organization’s daily operations. It’s through these detailed discussions and feedback sessions that we can ensure the custom intranet is aligned with both current practices and long-term strategic goals.

With these insights, we proceed to the architectural phase of the custom intranet. Here, our focus shifts to translating the gathered information into a practical and efficient intranet structure. This process involves careful consideration of various elements such as user interface design, information architecture, and integration capabilities with existing systems. We strive to create a custom intranet that not only meets the immediate requirements identified but is also scalable and flexible to accommodate future growth and changes within the organization. By balancing technical functionality with user experience, we architect a custom intranet that is intuitive, engaging, and, most importantly, tailored to serve the unique objectives of the organization. This custom-fit solution is what sets our approach apart and ensures that the intranet becomes an indispensable asset for our clients.

Security is a cornerstone of our custom intranet development process at Web Experts. We understand that a secure intranet is essential not just for protecting sensitive corporate data but also for maintaining the trust and confidence of its users. Our team rigorously incorporates the latest security protocols and practices, including robust data encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and regular security audits, to safeguard against potential breaches and vulnerabilities.

Adoption is key for a corporate intranets success. Recognizing this, Web Experts implements comprehensive onboarding programs designed to familiarize employees with the new system, ensuring a smooth transition and immediate productivity. These programs are tailored to suit various learning styles and roles within the organization, making the adoption process inclusive and effective.

We actively seek and value ongoing feedback from users at all levels. This feedback is not just collected but is also meticulously analyzed and used as a driving force for continuous improvement and updates in our custom intranets. By doing so, we ensure that the intranet evolves in alignment with the changing needs and preferences of its users.

The culmination of these efforts is a custom intranet that is not only functionally robust but also enjoys a high level of user engagement and satisfaction. This leads to a positive impact on the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization, making the custom intranet a valuable asset that contributes tangibly to the company’s success and growth.

Choose Web Experts, The Corporate Intranet Experts

The custom intranet solution we developed for Cox Business Services is a testament to our dedicated efforts in creating custom corporate intranets that positively influence business operations. As the landscape of custom intranet needs evolves, we at Web Experts strive to remain adaptable and innovative. Our experience delivering custom intranet solutions has equipped us well to assist organizations looking to modernize their digital workplaces. We are committed to continuous innovation and leveraging our expertise in user experience, security, and fostering user adoption in our custom intranet projects. This commitment is central to our approach to providing custom intranet solutions that meet the unique needs of each organization we partner with. Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization build a secure corporate intranet.