What is an intranet?

Intranets are generally used to host information centrally and provide secure access to documents, policies and information that employees need for their roles. Examples include content management systems (CMS) and document management systems (DMS).

HR functions can pre-board and onboard new employees to create a great employee experience with the ability to present tailored information and management.

Organisations hold formal information, documents and vast levels of information for employees. Using forums, idea boards, team areas and discussion areas, employees have the opportunity to ask questions or find knowledge with the help of their peers. Knowledge is captured by the business and made available on a searchable platform, even when a contributor is no longer with the company.

Intranets give employees access to self-service and help them complete common processes using forms or transactional applications. Effective intranet solutions incorporate automated workflows, further empowering employees to accomplish more, more easily. Examples include booking a leave of absence, submitting expenses or starting internal training.

Social and communication tools like wikis, forums, blogs and discussion can be used to create two-way internal communications among staff.

Good employee engagement has a critical impact on business performance, yet it is difficult to achieve. There are measurement tools, like Employee Net Promoter Score, or means for empowering staff through blogs and social tools etc. which an organisation can access via an intranet to tap into employee engagement.

Intranets help businesses build, embed and communicate a common culture, which improves engagement among employees and increases staff retention.

Organisations that are global or have employees working remotely may face challenges with connecting their staff. Intranets allow employees to communicate and connect while building virtual cultures.