Is the Cloud Intranet the Next Big Thing in Business Communication?

Date: 28-Feb-2023

As more organizations shift to remote working and the hybrid occupation of business premises, new approaches are needed to enhance internal communications, stimulate higher efficiency and smooth operations, and promote employee engagement.

The business intranet, a virtual workspace, and a platform for managing corporate data are one way to accomplish these goals.

What are the types of intranets?

An intranet is a private network system used by an organization to securely share data and information with its employees, clients, and other stakeholders.

There are generally two types of intranets which are the traditional intranet and the modern intranet.

Traditional intranets are generally used for document management, news channels, staff profiles, and policy manager. These intranets are relatively basic in their features and do not offer the same level of flexibility as the modern intranet.

Modern intranets, on the other hand, offer a wide range of applications and services which makes them more flexible and dynamic. These intranets include corporate social media feeds, tools for increased employee engagement, productivity apps, integrations with third-party systems, e-forms and workflows, eLearning, and project management.

Modern intranets also offer the ability to create a corporate website with engaging intranet pages and content that targets specific teams and business units. These intranets provide a digital workplace and management channel for company data and can benefit the organization in numerous ways.

There are two main types of intranet: standalone or on-premise, and web-based or cloud-based. Standalone or on-premise intranets are digital workplace platforms constructed from hardware, software, and network infrastructures that are hosted on the company’s own servers, and managed by the company’s own IT department. Web-based or cloud-based intranets, on the other hand, are hosted on external servers either owned and operated by the cloud intranet solution provider, or shared by multiple companies.

Within these two main types, intranets can be further sub-classified into corporate intranets, departmental intranets, and individual user intranets. Corporate intranets are typically used for company-wide communication and collaboration, such as for sharing documents and resources, and for internal communication between departments. Departmental intranets, on the other hand, are usually used to give specific information and resources to employees within that department. Lastly, individual user intranets are used to give specific information and resources to individual users.

No matter the type of intranet, they all have the purpose of providing employees with easy access to the information and resources they need. They also allow employees to communicate with each other and share ideas, making it easier for companies to collaborate and get their work done.

What is a cloud intranet?

Cloud intranet is an online platform that allows business organizations to securely access, share and collaborate on internal resources, tools, and documents. This type of intranet is hosted on cloud-based servers, which means that the infrastructure, software, and cloud services needed to run it are provided by a cloud provider. This provides organizations with a great deal of flexibility and scalability, as they can easily adjust the resources they need at any given time.

Cloud intranets provide several advantages compared to traditional, on-premise intranets. First, they require no upfront hardware or software investments, as the cloud provider takes care of all the necessary infrastructure. Second, setup and configuration for cloud intranet solutions are typically more straightforward and require minimal involvement from IT departments. Lastly, cloud intranet solutions are highly secure and offer excellent data governance and regulatory compliance standards, making them ideal for businesses in highly regulated industries.

Cloud-based intranets are perfect for mobile and remote working because they are accessible via the Internet around the clock.

With the cloud services and digital workplace capabilities of a cloud-based intranet instantaneously accessible, company information, project updates, and other company data may be quickly shared with remote working personnel. This helps most organizations run more smoothly and productively, which in turn increases employee engagement.

Is the intranet a private cloud?

No, an intranet is not a private cloud. An intranet is an internal network of a company, while a private cloud is a form of cloud computing where company data and cloud services are hosted on the company’s own servers.

Organizations create virtual servers and virtual storage space for business applications, analytics, the company website, and the apps and services needed to support a business intranet using a private cloud. This allows the organization to make internal IT systems available that would not otherwise be accessible to the public via an Internet connection.

However, intranet and private cloud are not the same things. An intranet is a network of computers, applications, and services that are accessible only to the organization’s staff and designated stakeholders, while a private cloud is an infrastructure that is used to store and access data, applications, and services.

Private cloud and intranets can be used together to create a hybrid cloud-based intranet solution that is more reliable, secure, and recoverable than a standalone intranet. This is beneficial for organizations transitioning to a hybrid and remote working scenario, as it provides a cost-effective way to promote collaboration, increase employee engagement, and meet vital business needs, using an all-in-one platform that acts as a digital workplace for the business.

How is company communication being improved via cloud intranet?

Cloud intranet is a powerful tool for improving the way companies communicate with their employees. By providing round-the-clock access to company data, the cloud intranet facilitates real-time collaboration and communication between staff, regardless of location.

With integrated cloud intranet solutions, businesses can instantly share important information about changing industry standards, compliance regulations, and emergency incidents. Communication is made easier through the use of tools like chat, email, and file sharing. This makes it easier for staff to stay up to date with the latest news and updates from the organization.

By enabling the seamless integration of external tools and platforms, cloud intranet allows organizations to bring all their necessary tools and information into one central hub. This helps to improve efficiency and productivity by giving staff the ability to access various applications and services from a single source.

For improved communication, cloud intranet solutions also provide staff with the ability to access company information and resources on their mobile devices. This makes it easier for employees to stay in touch with their colleagues and access the latest updates when they are away from the office.

In short, a cloud intranet can be a powerful tool for improving company communication by providing staff with round-the-clock access to the latest information, tools, and resources. With the right cloud intranet system in place, organizations can ensure that their staff is always up to date with the latest news and updates.

How to launch a cloud intranet?

Launching a cloud intranet for your organization is a great way to streamline communication, collaboration, and document sharing. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting started:

  • Choose a cloud intranet provider – Choose a provider that understands your specific needs and has a long-standing reputation for reliability. Take a look at their portfolio and read customer reviews to make sure they’re the right fit for your organization.
  • Set up the cloud infrastructure – Your cloud intranet provider will help you set up the necessary infrastructure and provide you with the tools you need to launch your cloud intranet.
  • Configure the intranet – Configure the intranet to suit the needs of your organization. This can include adding features and customizing the user interface.
  • Integrate with other applications – Integrate your intranet with other applications, including web conferencing, document management, and other collaboration tools to ensure smooth operations.
  • Train users – Once your intranet is set up, it’s important to train users on how to use it. This includes teaching them about the various features and how to use them.
  • Monitor usage – Monitor how users are using the intranet and make changes and improvements where necessary.

Following these steps will ensure your cloud intranet is up and running in no time, and your organization can start to benefit from improved communication and collaboration.

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