INTRANET SERVICES DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE AN INTRANET DEVELOPER? When it comes to intranet services, what’s the best option? Should you do it yourself or hire an intranet developer ? In these slides, we will help you identify the answer that’s right for your business. Every project has to work within different constraints that shape the way it is delivered. One of the best ways to model project constraints is the project management triangle , also known as the iron triangle So, let’s look at each point of the triangle and consider whether it’s best to do it yourself or hire an expert. TIME IS PRECIOUS In every business, time is a precious commodity. The amount of time available is likely to be a significant constraint of your intranet deployment project. With that in mind, we recommend the most important first step is to define the objectives . A clear sense of purpose and direction will save you time in the long run. For most businesses, the impetus behind the intranet is to resolve an identified pain point, like creating opportunities for collaboration. Often the driving force is a business-driven outcome. For example, the intranet is introduced to reduce communication costs and streamline processes. The purpose will influence the timeframe for your intranet project. And how much time you have will, in turn, influence your decision to do it yourself or use an expert. 1. TIME IS PRECIOUS The bottom line is that developing an intranet from scratch takes time ● Even using open-source software, it’s still a labor-intensive process. ● WordPress, SharePoint, etc. were not designed for creating intranets, so technical know-how is needed to navigate through plugins and add-ons required ● huge time factor involved when hosting onsite : maintaining a server takes time Engaging external help could be the way to go. ● External help ensures the intranet is up and running in time ● Press ahead with introducing the intranet and start enjoying the benefits However, if the timeframe is not so pressured and you have the internal resources , the do-it-yourself option is worth considering. For many businesses, the possibility of tailoring the intranet to meet their specific needs is very appealing. PEOPLE AND RESOURCES For a successful intranet deployment, you need to have the right people and resources in place. For many small businesses the do-it-yourself option simply isn’t an option. Therefore, it makes sense to use the expertise of an intranet developer in getting your project off the ground. The intranet developer has a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing and delivering intranets. It’s easy to under-estimate the investment of time required for a do-it-yourself intranet . Most companies find setting up an intranet from scratch takes several months from start to finish Furthermore, you are responsible for testing the software. In our experience, any meaningful pilot runs at least six weeks . That gives you plenty of time to assess the platform in the workplace and obtain meaningful feedback. You will also need to allow time to make any changes to the software. The costs can quickly spiral out of control. And that’s without factoring in the number of employees who will be tied up in the implementation. Or the requirement for company servers to host the intranet and the expense of ongoing maintenance. PEOPLE AND RESOURCES Often, a more efficient use of resources is to engage an intranet developer They can save you time and help to keep the costs down. Experienced and knowledgeable intranet developers know all the potential pitfalls. They will ensure the requirements for your intranet project are appropriate for your business needs. Furthermore, most intranet developers offer cloud-hosted solutions This means you don’t have to worry about purchasing and maintaining additional company servers. Also taken care of is the whole issue of intranet security . Select an intranet developer option, and online security, backups, and updates become their responsibility. Your intranet will be as safe and secure as possible with all the latest security features Furthermore, intranet developers usually offer pre-built and pre-tested intranet design templates . These already come with coding and a basic design. PEOPLE AND RESOURCES There are a variety of intranet templates you can select. Popular options include the following: Automated forms – streamline businesses processes and approvals Newsfeeds and blogs – keep everyone updated Staff directory – connect employees and facilitate collaboration File and document storage – set up a secure document exchange Team chat – speed up decision-making and promote team spirit Forums and project spaces – private workspaces to work collaboratively Social intranet features –sharing of updates among staff Quizzes and surveys – ask employees’ views on the hot topics PEOPLE AND RESOURCES After selecting the functionality your business needs, you then customize the templates with your branding and logo , plus content and images . The intranet provider will have other clients using the same basic design templates. However, customization means they are all different , and yours will be a unique platform It also means that you have access to the testimonies of other companies. You can check that the intranet does the job exceptionally well. The bottom line is there are plenty of economies of scale to be had with an intranet developer. You will soon discover they have done all the hard work for you already, making for a smoother, hassle-free implementation A word of caution though, beware of using website developers to set up your intranet. They may well be great at developing websites and apps, but they are not intranet experts. VALUE FOR MONEY Making sure your intranet offers value for money is another constraint impacting your intranet project. Undoubtedly, there will be organizational pressure to ensure the intranet offers enough return on investment If you are going down the do-it-yourself route , make sure you have considered all the potential costs. And the expenses don’t just start and end with the software: • Employee training and development program to upskill staff on the new platform • Cost of add-ons and plugins to ensure the functionality you require • Development and testing of the pilot intranet • Purchasing and maintaining additional company servers. In comparison, an intranet developer and cloud solution offer greater cost certainty . Clear terms of engagement set out the roles and responsibilities of the intranet developer and the fees involved. Cloud hosting also works out to be very cost-effective with fixed monthly fees, unlimited numbers of users, and data storage. NO ONE-SIZE SOLUTION For many companies, employing an intranet expert to deliver the overall solution is an effective use of resources. It saves valuable time and with greater cost certainty. Pre-built intranet design templates are now so easy to use that for many businesses, they are the perfect solution. The typical intranet takes just a few days to get off the ground. What’s more, the services of an intranet developer come at a very competitive price. This is an excellent option for time-poor businesses wanting a quick intranet deployment to meet an organizational pain point. However, it’s a different story when trying to do it yourself . In this case, the lead-in can be several months . It’s also labor-intensive. Large numbers of employees could potentially be diverted from other critical tasks during development and implementation. For companies with the will, resources, skilled personnel, and time on their side, a bespoke intranet can be a good choice. MYHUB If you are looking for an easy-to-implement intranet solution, then get in touch with us here at MyHub. Let us take on the stress and hassle of implementing your intranet. We are the number one choice for hundreds of businesses worldwide. Find out why with our free intranet demo or sign up for a no-obligation 14-day trial. 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