Intranets: Spending money to save money

In a time where efficiency and cost effectiveness are being scrutinised it is important to ensure that your company has the right tools.

Intranets are fast becoming recognised as an essential tool for business.

Jakob Nielsen has recently commented on the 10 Best Intranets for 2008.
It is interesting to see some of the trends amongst the top ten winners:

• Sharepoint is the most used product
• Finance is most represented sector in the top 10 winners
• ROI is measured with substantial cost savings for the top 10 winners
• BA achieved a cost saving of £55 million
• Campbell Soup Company achieved a 727% visit per day increase after redesign
• Personalisation has become a trend
• Feeds are more prevalent
• Company news still dominates the homepage
  

The cost of an intranet can vary considerably. Interestingly, the top 10 winners have users that range form 200 to 50,000 staff. This shows that finding the right technology to meet scope and budget effectively is possible at all levels.


Jakob Nielsen is regarded by many as the Godfather of usability.Nielson’s research and analysis takes a very clinical approach. His studies are almost too scientific and tend not to address other fundamental keys to success:

• Design
• Implementation
• Real world situations

Aqueduct has launched two global Intranets for our clients in the last quarter. Our experience reveals that besides the features and products there are many more factors that contribute to the successful launch and adoption of an Intranet.

If you are interested here is a link to the ’10 Best Intranets of 2008’ report summary.http://www.useit.com/alertbox/intranet_design.html

The full 362 page report can also be purchased via the same link.