Looking to make the most of your SharePoint intranet? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re setting one up from scratch or revamping your current system, certain features are essential to keep your team connected, productive, and in the know.
1. Customisable Dashboards
The beauty of SharePoint lies in its flexibility. However, out of the box, it doesn’t always fit every team’s specific needs. That’s where customisable dashboards come in. You want a dashboard that gives each team member exactly what they need the moment they log in — whether that’s current tasks, project statuses, or important company announcements. The idea is simple: no two people work the same way, so why should their dashboards look the same?
The best part about a customisable dashboard is that it can be tailored to individual roles within the company. For example, a sales team might want a quick view of client interactions, while HR could prioritise recent employee engagement metrics.
Of course, setting up this level of personalisation can be tricky on your own. That’s why it makes sense to work with a provider like Intranet.ai. Check out a complete overview of what intranet.ai does so that you can get a better understanding. With the right provider, you’ll save time and avoid the headaches of trying to configure everything from scratch.
2. Seamless Integration with Office 365
Your SharePoint intranet should work hand in hand with other tools your team already uses, particularly Office 365. Seamless integration with applications like Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive is non-negotiable if you want to keep your workflows smooth and efficient.
Imagine this: you’re working on a document with your team, and you need quick access to files stored on OneDrive. With proper Office 365 integration, you can do this without ever leaving your SharePoint intranet. It’s all connected, and the less time you spend jumping between apps, the more time you can spend on actual work.
Furthermore, collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams should work effortlessly within SharePoint, allowing your team to chat, hold meetings, and share files all in one place. When your tools work together, your team works better.
3. User-Friendly Document Management System
SharePoint is known for its document management capabilities, but are you using it to its full potential? A well-organised, user-friendly document management system (DMS) is one of the key features that make a SharePoint intranet invaluable. A good DMS ensures that everyone can access the documents they need, no matter where they are, without having to navigate through endless folders or outdated versions.
Here’s what a user-friendly document management system should include:
- Version control – Keep track of edits and changes to documents, so no one is ever working on an outdated file.
- Smart search functionality – Enable users to find the document they need in seconds, not minutes.
- Permission settings – Ensure sensitive information is only accessible to the right people.
When your team can quickly find the documents they need, it reduces frustration and boosts productivity. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for compliance and security purposes, as it ensures proper document control across your organisation.
4. Mobile Accessibility
The modern workforce is increasingly mobile, and that means your SharePoint intranet needs to be accessible anytime, anywhere. Whether your employees are working from home, travelling, or out in the field, they need the ability to access important company information on the go.
A SharePoint intranet with mobile accessibility ensures that users can view documents, check their dashboards, or communicate with their team, all from their smartphones or tablets. This flexibility is critical for today’s businesses, where remote work is more common than ever.
Mobile accessibility doesn’t just mean shrinking your desktop layout for a smaller screen. The intranet needs to be fully responsive, ensuring it’s just as intuitive and easy to navigate on mobile as it is on a computer. You’ll want features like:
- A clean, easy-to-use interface
- Push notifications for important updates
- Secure access to sensitive documents and data
When done right, mobile accessibility can enhance employee engagement, allowing teams to stay connected and informed wherever they are.
5. Employee Engagement Tools
Lastly, your SharePoint intranet should actively encourage employee engagement. It’s not enough for it to simply be a place to store documents or check emails. To get the most out of your intranet, you need to create a sense of community within your company.
One way to boost engagement is by incorporating social features like:
- News feeds – Keep your employees updated with the latest company announcements, news, and success stories.
- Employee recognition – Create spaces where team members can celebrate wins, recognise each other’s hard work, and build stronger connections.
- Polls and surveys – Give employees a voice by gathering their feedback through polls and surveys directly on the platform.
The more your employees feel connected to the company and each other, the more engaged they’ll be with the work they’re doing. A SharePoint intranet with built-in engagement tools can foster this sense of connection, improving morale and overall productivity.
Ready to Enhance Your SharePoint Intranet?
Building an effective SharePoint intranet isn’t just about adding more features; it’s about choosing the right ones that will empower your team and streamline your business. By focusing on customisation, seamless integration, mobile access, and employee engagement, you can transform your SharePoint intranet from a simple tool into the backbone of your company’s communication and collaboration.
