5 benefits of an intranet
What is an intranet?
Previously an intranet was defined as a website or software-app run on a local or restricted network. Which means that you were only able to access it from a work computer of through an office network, and most often it was strictly a place for the company to convey news to employees. But as the world evolved to working more from home or remote locations so did also the definition of an Intranet.
Today an intranet can be accessed from any where in the world as the methods for authentication have been improved, as well as the file protection. So even if someone could hack into your public network and get access to files they would not be able to open, view or share them. The Intranet today is also a much more evolved space to work in as it usually includes features like document management and process automation which can help you drive more traffic to your intranet and make it a central living hub.
Benefits of an intranet
There are multiple benefits to using an intranet, no matter how large of a company or the industry. Below we listed some of them:
Enhance internal communication
Instead of sending out emails (and keeping track that your sent it to the correct people) or booking meetings not everyone can attend you can post formal and informal information directly on the Intranet. Some Intranets also have smart filters that only displays information relevant to certain positions, departments, sites or users.
Easier to find information
Company information such as policies, standard operating procedures etc. can be linked from the Intranet menu in order for employees to quickly find what they are looking for. Same goes for specific departments or project documents for example.
Streamline business processes
Manual, time-consuming business processes are a thing of the past! Most Intranets now adays can automate things like reviewing documents, signing documents (electronically), onboarding, training on new policies etc. and if not fully automate, at least the process information can be easily accessible through presentations, documents or landing pages on the Intranet.
Connect offices and sites (even overseas)
The Intranet is a great way for a company to connect employees between offices and even overseas locations. This will increase insight into the company, working solutions, business processes and customers. Creating a more engaged and trusting company culture.
Company “backlog”
By storing and sharing information through an Intranet you can always look back at and re-use information previously created or shared by any employee. That way information does not get lost or forgotten when someone leaves, i.e. it makes the company less person-dependent.
Driving traffic to your Intranet
Though an issue with Intranets is that engagement goes down over time as companies have information spread over multiple platforms, such as Teams, SharePoint and other isolated solutions. That’s why it’s so important to collect all that information and make it accessible through one solid solution.
A solution offering an intranet, document management, process automation, external/internal communication etc. so that’s user only need one entry point for all information created, stored and shared, preferably accessible on all devices as well. A dynamic solution suited for today’s work environment.
By providing such a solution you ensure a steady stream of traffic to the site.
Conclusion
The benefits of implementing an Intranet at your company are to vast to ignore. As mentioned in a few examples above it can help your company increase productivity, knowledge, loyalty, insight and secure intellectual property. Which is why, if not using one already, your should consider implementing one as soon as possible to benefit your company further.
Our own solution BIP365 provides both an Intranet, document creation and distribution, secure storage, business process automation and much more! To learn more, contact us for a quick 15 minute demo of BIP365.