The Enduring Importance of Intranets: A Foundation for Modern AI Integration

Published March 2024

In this blog, we go back to basics and remind ourselves of the benefits of a modern intranet, teamed with ensuring you are maximising your M365 investment. 

In the dynamic, fast paced world of technology, where technological advances like Copilot and Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominate conversations, it’s crucial not to overlook the foundational importance of intranets. While organisations are grappling with the implications of AI and contemplating its integration into their operations, taking a step back to understand the enduring benefits of an intranet becomes paramount, especially for organisations with investments in Microsoft 365.

5 lasting benefits of intranets: 

When designing your intranet, it’s important that you think of how you want it to support you in the future. Below are 5 ways you can ensure you have lasting benefits.

1. Centralised Communication: Intranets serve as a hub for internal communication, facilitating seamless collaboration among teams, departments, and remote employees. They provide a centralised platform for sharing information, announcements, and updates, fostering transparency and alignment across the organisation.
2. Knowledge Management: An intranet acts as a repository for organisational knowledge, housing documents, policies, procedures, and best practices. This structured knowledge management system enhances productivity, reduces duplication of efforts, and ensures that employees have access to accurate and up-to-date information.
3. Employee Engagement: Through features like news feeds, forums, and social networking tools, intranets promote employee engagement and connectivity. They create a sense of community within the organisation, encourage knowledge sharing, and enable employees to contribute ideas and feedback, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
4. Workflow Automation: Modern intranets integrate workflow automation capabilities, streamlining routine tasks, approvals, and processes. Automation not only increases efficiency but also reduces errors and frees up employees to focus on more strategic initiatives.
5. Governance: Modern intranets facilitate effective governance by providing control over access permissions, content publishing workflows and version control mechanisms. This ensures data security, regulatory compliance, and maintains the integrity of organisational information.

Peter Mac’s intranet ‘Connect’ is an award winning intranet that we are proud to have designed and built. Read the full case study here.

Leveraging M365 investment for modernisation

For businesses already invested in Microsoft 365, the synergy between M365 and intranets offers a powerful opportunity for modernisation and enhanced functionality.

• Viva Connections: Microsoft’s Viva Connections is a gateway to the modern intranet experience, seamlessly integrating with M365 tools and providing personalised, relevant content to employees. It enhances employee engagement, improves communication, and promotes a cohesive digital workplace environment.
• AI Integration with Copilot: The integration of AI technologies like Copilot opens up new possibilities for content and site creation, automation, data analysis, and intelligent decision-making. AI-powered insights can enhance content relevancy, automate repetitive tasks, and provide personalised experiences for employees, driving efficiency and productivity.

Building on traditional strengths

While exploring the potential of AI and modern technologies, organisations need to avoid losing sight of the foundational strengths of intranets. Modernising intranets with tools like Viva Connections and  Copilot amplifies their value proposition, creating a robust digital ecosystem that empowers employees, fosters collaboration, and drives business success.

Like what you see?

The evolution of technology, including AI and advanced intranet solutions, presents exciting opportunities for organisations. However, recognising and harnessing the timeless benefits of intranets as a communication, collaboration, and knowledge management platform is essential.

By aligning M365 investments with modernisation efforts and leveraging AI capabilities, businesses can build a future-ready digital workplace that maximizes productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction.

Reach out to us today to learn how we can help set you up for success for tomorrow.

About the author

Linda Brunetti is a Senior Consultant within Engage Squared’s Digital Workplace practice. She believes people are at the heart of every smart digital workplace and loves bringing a company’s culture to life via intelligent platforms that are designed to make peoples lives better. Linda is a Mum of 2 kids and a lover of the beach, so often spends her summer weekends packing the boot and vacuuming sand out of her car.