A company intranet is a private internal network. Usually cloud based, this setup is designed to increase employee engagement because it allows people to communicate, share knowledge and collaborate on work-related tasks in real time no matter where they are.
There are a number of factors that will influence the type of intranet you should opt for, such as the needs, size and budget of your organization. You might also want to consider your expectations regarding security, accessibility and flexibility as you explore your options.
Intranets can be very advantageous. However, there are instances that can lead to issues with your company intranet. Let’s take a look at problems that could arise with this type of private internal network.
Potential problems with company intranets
Intranets can lead to disorganization like an overfilled filing cabinet. On the bright side, you can assign someone to act as a gatekeeper for each department, team, location or other category within your company’s intranet structure. Learn more about our professional Payroll Tax Services and how we deliver high-quality results tailored to your needs.
Gatekeepers take an active role in making sure that the company’s intranet functions as it should as a center for communication, collaboration and knowledge. That said, gatekeepers are granted a certain level of access that other employees might not have.
This means they can view sensitive information regarding the intranet, and it’s imperative to make sure those who fill the role of gatekeeper are trustworthy individuals. Otherwise, their ability to edit, add or remove content could be misused. This detail is important for the security of your company.
Additionally, employees might know that the company has an intranet, yet they may not use it due to confusion regarding its purpose or a lack of education surrounding its features. Also, the search function of intranets is not necessarily well thought out. For tasks from searching for a source document to looking for a new smartphone, the intranet’s ease of use may be called into question by some.
Benefits of having an intranet
There are many benefits to having a company intranet. For instance, instant messaging can improve your company’s organizational success and the collaborative efforts of your employees. Additionally, instant messaging makes it easier for you to exchange information company-wide in seconds.
For example, intranets make it easier to quickly notify employees that a scam email was sent out by a bad actor or that there is a delayed start due to inclement weather. An intranet is also a simpler way to let everyone know the date of an upcoming town hall or company party, congratulate someone on a promotion, or celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries.
Furthermore, an intranet’s integrated employee directory will foster communication because employees across departments can easily reach out to anyone at the company, no matter which team they are part of. Also, consolidating the company’s document management systems makes it a breeze to find what you need without having to log in to multiple systems. For more insights, read our detailed guide on (insert example) and discover expert tips to help you make informed decisions. For more insights, read our detailed guide on Harnessing the power of AI in your workplace and discover expert tips to help you make informed decisions.
Your employees will save time, and in turn, their productivity levels are sure to increase. Last but not least, an intranet can house human resources functions like onboarding, scheduling, requesting time off and managing payroll. By including these tasks as part of the company’s intranet, you can save time and empower your employees to manage their own schedules.
Company intranets can be customized so that they include various other functions that your company needs. It all comes down to what you need and how much you’re willing to pay.