How to Modernize Your Traditional Intranet

Video produced by Steve Nathans-Kelly

SharePoint specialist Susan Hanley outlined the measurable differences between legacy and modern intranets and how intranet modernization can help create a modern, intelligent digital workspace during her presentation at KMWorld Connect 2020.

"So I've seen a lot of modern internets that organizations are really, really proud of. And the one thing that I've found like the most important characteristics of the winners is not that they actually really look good. And it's really not that their users are particularly happy it's that the internet helps people get work done. Fundamentally they help people get work done and promote employee engagement," Hanley said.

Both of those things, productivity and engagement, can be measured, which means organizations can get proof of the value of our modern intranets and digital workplaces, she explained.

"I think there are some really important characteristics that we should think about when it comes to a modern, intelligent internet," Hanley said. One is that, intelligent internets are not only,contacted intelligent, modern internets and intelligent entrance are not, not just find-able based on browsing around, but we have search that actually works. That helps us find content instead of being all about news."

Instead of thinking about sites, organizations need to think about services and experiences that an intranet can enable. Modern internets and digital workplaces are experiences and results focused, and you can't be successful at creating a modern dip, intelligent digital workplace, without a clear understanding of how people work, the information they need, and a relentless focus on user experience.

"So it's all about people. And according to Gartner, the traditional internet is dead, but modern internets are alive and well," Hanley said.