Author: idadmin

The Integral Role of Intranet in Employee Onboarding

The onboarding process is a critical phase in an employee’s journey, setting the tone for their future in the company. It’s where first impressions are made, and foundations are built. With the digital transformation of workplaces, intranet solutions, particularly SharePoint Intranet, have become indispensable tools in making this experience as smooth and engaging as possible.

The Shift to Digital Onboarding

Gone are the days of paperwork-filled orientations. Today, businesses seek efficiency and engagement from the moment a new hire walks through the door. SharePoint Intranet serves as a centralised platform where all onboarding materials can be accessed, understood, and interacted with, fostering a sense of belonging from day one.

Centralised Information Access

A SharePoint Intranet portal can house all necessary onboarding documents, from HR policies to training modules. It allows new hires to easily navigate through the crucial first steps of their employment without feeling overwhelmed by the volume of new information.

Encouraging Engagement and Connection

Beyond document management, SharePoint Intranet encourages new employees to connect with their peers through social tools integrated into the platform. This social aspect of onboarding is vital, as it builds community ties and assimilates new hires into the company culture swiftly and organically.

Tailored Onboarding Experiences

Every role is unique, and so should be the onboarding process. SharePoint Intranet can be customised to deliver role-specific content, ensuring that from the get-go, employees receive relevant information that’s tailored to their specific job functions.

Tracking Progress and Providing Feedback

Feedback is a two-way street, especially in onboarding. SharePoint Intranet’s tracking capabilities allow HR managers to monitor the progress of new hires, while also providing a channel for these employees to voice their questions or concerns. This feedback loop is essential in creating a dynamic and responsive onboarding experience.

As the corporate world continues to embrace digital solutions, the role of intranet solutions like SharePoint Intranet in employee onboarding has become more pronounced. These platforms not only simplify the onboarding process but also enhance the overall experience for both the employee and the employer.

Intelligent Decisioning understands this nexus and offers expertise in tailoring SharePoint Intranet solutions to meet the nuanced needs of modern businesses, ensuring that the onboarding process is a launchpad for long-term engagement and success.

For companies looking to elevate their onboarding process and employee engagement, click here to book a free demo.

Tags Collaboration, Employee Communication, Employee Engagement, Intelligent Decisioning, Intranet, onboarding, SharePoint, Team Empowerment

How Microsoft’s Copilot is a game-changer!

As we step into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) integration in business, Microsoft’s Copilot has emerged as a game-changing tool. Copilot has introduced a slew of new features and enhancements that promise to transform daily operations for businesses and individuals alike.

GPT-4 Turbo: The New Frontier in AI

A pivotal update in Copilot is the integration of OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. This advanced AI model enhances user productivity by tackling more complex and extended tasks, particularly in areas like searching and writing.

The Creative Edge: DALL-E 3 and Image Generation

Copilot now incorporates the DALL-E 3 model, elevating the quality and accuracy of image creation. This integration broadens the scope of Copilot’s applications, extending its utility to creative and design-oriented tasks.

Microsoft Edge Integration: Streamlining Content Creation

In a significant move, Microsoft has enabled Copilot users to rewrite text directly from websites via Microsoft Edge. This feature simplifies the content creation and editing process, saving valuable time and effort.

Code Interpreter: Elevating Technical Capabilities

The forthcoming Code Interpreter feature in Copilot is set to assist in performing complex technical tasks such as accurate calculations, coding, and data analysis, marking a significant leap in AI-assisted development and problem-solving.

Deep Search: Optimising Information Retrieval

The Deep Search feature, powered by GPT-4, is slated to enhance Bing’s search capabilities. By expanding queries into more comprehensive descriptions, it aims to deliver more relevant and optimised search results for complex topics.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Unleashing Workplace Efficiency

The general availability of Microsoft 365 Copilot is a major milestone, offering enhanced productivity and creativity tools across widely-used apps. This development is particularly crucial for enterprise customers, as it promises to augment work processes and efficiency.

Copilot Studio: Custom AI Solutions for Businesses

With the introduction of Copilot Studio, businesses can now customize Copilot for Microsoft 365 and build standalone copilots. This low-code tool allows for the creation of custom GPTs and plugins, tailored to specific business needs and scenarios.

The advancements in Microsoft’s Copilot underscore the growing role of AI in enhancing business operations. By harnessing these technologies, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, improved decision-making, and foster innovation. Copilot’s new features represent a significant step toward a more AI-integrated future, offering vast potential benefits for diverse industries and sectors.

Click to book a free demo today!

Tags AI, Artificial intelligence, copilot, Intelligent Decisioning, Intranet, SharePoint

How Power Platform Can Streamline Business Operations

Embracing Efficiency with Intelligent Automation

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead of the curve requires not just hard work, but smart work. This is where Intelligent Decisioning steps in, offering a solution that revolutionises the way businesses operate: Microsoft Power Platform. This innovative suite of tools is not just about automation; it’s about transforming your business processes for heightened efficiency and effectiveness.

Why Power Platform?

Microsoft Power Platform is a dynamic, integrated application platform that allows businesses to create and deploy custom solutions tailored to their unique needs. At Intelligent Decisioning, we understand that each business is different, and generic solutions often fall short of addressing specific challenges. With Power Platform, the possibilities are limitless, from automating routine tasks to developing complex business applications.

Streamline and Simplify

One of the core components of Power Platform is Power Automate, a tool designed to streamline business processes through intelligent automation. Whether it’s managing approvals, routing documents, or syncing data across various systems, Power Automate reduces the manual effort required, freeing up your team to focus on more strategic tasks.

Data at Your Fingertips

Power BI, another key element of Power Platform, turns data into insights. In a world where data is king, understanding and leveraging this data is crucial. Power BI provides powerful analytics and visualisation capabilities, making it easier for decision-makers to grasp complex information at a glance and make informed decisions.

Custom Apps, No Code

For businesses needing bespoke solutions, Power Apps offers a no-code approach to app development. This means you can quickly build custom apps that meet your specific requirements, without the need for extensive programming knowledge. It’s about putting the power of innovation in the hands of those who know your business best – you.

Empowering Collaboration

Power Platform isn’t just about individual tools; it’s about how these tools work together and with other Microsoft 365 applications. This integration fosters a more collaborative and interconnected workspace, ensuring that your teams can work together seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Intelligent Decisioning: Your Power Platform Partner

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Intelligent Decisioning brings a wealth of expertise in deploying and managing Power Platform solutions. Our approach is not just about technology; it’s about understanding your business and tailoring solutions that not only address your current needs but also scale for future growth.

Getting Started

Embarking on the journey of digital transformation with Power Platform is a step towards a more efficient, responsive, and innovative business. With Intelligent Decisioning, this journey is made simpler and more effective. We invite you to discover how our expertise in Power Platform can unlock new potentials for your business. Visit us at www.id-live.com to learn more and take the first step towards automating your path to success.

At Intelligent Decisioning, we believe in harnessing technology to create smarter business solutions. Power Platform is more than just a tool; it’s a pathway to transforming your business processes for a more efficient, empowered future. Let us guide you in unlocking its full potential.

Book a free demo!

A Day in the Life of Ross Smith, our Agile Technical Team Lead

We pride ourselves on having a dynamic and diverse team, each bringing their unique skills and passions to the table. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Ross Smith, our Agile Technical Team Lead, who shares insights into his daily routine, interests, and the music that keeps him going.

Q&A with Ross Smith

Q: What is your go-to productivity hack?

Ross: “Avoid context switching! Context switching is when you’re jumping between various task and tooling, and since each day at ID can be different it’s important to recognise when you might be attempting to do too much at once. To avoid this every morning, I review my emails and digest what I need to get done each day. I then section out my day to provide enough time for each individual task then tick them off one by one.”

Q: If you could switch roles with anyone in the company, who would it be and why?

Ross: “I’d have to say Nathan Slater. Nathan is one of our developers and if anything, it’d be a chance to go back to my roots at ID. It’d give me an opportunity get my hands dirty working with code and refresh myself on the inner workings of our products once again. Though I’m not sure if Nathan would like to swap with me though!”

Q: Who’s your go-to background music singer while you are working?

Ross: “Knowing my colleagues, some of us are very into our music, this is the question I’m also the most curious to see others answer! Though I have multiple playlists with a lot of hours of music in, if I had to pick someone to listen to in the background I’d say Porcupine Tree. They are a British Experimental/Prog Rock band, so you hit shuffle then enjoy the journey while you work.”

Q: Share a fun fact or a hidden talent about you that no one at the company knows.

Ross: “I really enjoy bouldering. Whereas most my day is spent solving problems at a computer, bouldering lets me do the same thing, but using my body and moving around. The physicality of it helps keep me active, and a little bit appreciative that I get to sit in an office chair every day. Especially after a hard session the night before working on sending something new.”

Q: Do you start your day with coffee or tea?

“Tea! I have a morning routine that’s essentially set in stone that means I’m at my desk with a cup of tea ready to host the daily stand-up call every morning by 9:15am. Though it doesn’t end there. Anytime I feel like I’ve come to a good point in my working day, be it after a long task or series of short ones, I find my self popping the kettle on. Old habits die hard.”

We’re incredibly fortunate to have Ross as part of our team, bringing his unique blend of skills, enthusiasm, and experience to the table. It’s team members like him that make Intelligent Decisioning not just a workplace, but a vibrant community of diverse talents and personalities.

Your SharePoint Intranet Questions, Answered by our Experts

SharePoint intranets can be complex, and we have had a lot of FAQs about it. That’s why we’ve compiled a curated guide addressing the most frequent inquiries to help you know where to start if you are looking for an intranet solution.

1. How to enhance internal communication in a hybrid work environment?

In the evolving landscape of hybrid and remote work, your intranet should mirror the collaborative atmosphere of a traditional office. It’s a digital hub for productivity, collaboration, and access to vital resources. Integrating various communication channels like Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Yammer, or even QR codes can direct users to a central content repository. Read more on our blog.

2. How to know if our SharePoint Intranet is successful?

A successful intranet enables employees to excel, regardless of their location. It should facilitate seamless collaboration, provide personalised communication, and foster an environment of innovation and internal feedback. All employees should be able to communicate seamlessly and work on projects together, without being physically in the same room. Find out more by booking a demo with us!

3. How to plan and launch an intranet?

Launching an intranet should be a positive experience for everyone involved. We advocate for a multi-faceted approach, focusing on intranet objectives, change management, and content strategy. Our approach to implementing an intranet for you is very customer focused and we make sure that the needs of your organisation are met. Read more about our approach to plan and launch an intranet for a client here.

4. How to create a SharePoint intranet portal?

You can opt for an out-of-the-box solution or a custom-built SharePoint intranet. Each has its benefits and considerations, which we explore thoroughly with our clients to help them make the best choice for their organisation. From custom branding to features, everything is possible. The end goal is to facilitate collaboration and communication, easing the sharing of documents and improving employee engagement.

5. How to boost employee engagement on the intranet?

Driving traffic to your intranet involves engaging content, accessibility, and relevance. Ensure your intranet is user-friendly across devices, consistently updated, and aligned with your organisation’s needs. For more detailed tactics, read our blog on employee engagement here.

We are here to simplify your SharePoint intranet journey. We’re committed to providing clear answers that help you enhance communication, create engaging content, and analyse performance to make your intranet a lively and productive space.

Book a free demo today!

Contact us at 0845 643 9726 or visit https://bit.ly/3z1grS3MercuryDemo to learn more about Mercury Intranet and docCentrum.

Tags Employee Engagement, Hybrid Work Communication, Internal Collaboration Tools, Intranet Content Strategy, Intranet Planning, Intranet Success Metrics, SharePoint Implementation, SharePoint Intranet, SharePoint Portal Development

Beyond Housing’s Marcom Gold-Winning Intranet Transformation

We take immense pride in our commitment to empowering organisations with cutting-edge intranet solutions. Recently, we had the privilege of collaborating with Beyond Housing, a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation, to revamp their outdated intranet and document management system. Today, we’re thrilled to share the incredible success story of how this transformation not only modernised Beyond Housing’s intranet but also earned them the prestigious Marcom Gold award for their newly delivered modern Mercury intranet.

Collaborating closely with Beyond Housing to bring this vision to life was an absolute honour for us. The objective was clear – to modernise their intranet and address their document management needs comprehensively. We recognised the significance of this project and worked hand in hand with Beyond Housing to make their dream of a modern intranet a reality.

“Working with Intelligent Decisioning on the launch of our new intranet has been seamless. Using Mercury Intranet, they transformed the way we collaborate as an organisation and how we share information with colleagues, while providing a much-needed improvement to our digital user experience. With the use of docCentrum, this has transformed the way we store and organise our documents, offering a single source of truth for company-wide documents. Working on this project with Nik and Andy has been a great experience and I would highly recommend Intelligent Decisioning to any potential customers.”
Donna Bill, Digital Marketing Lead at Beyond Housing

The Components of Success

The new solution brought together a powerful combination of elements to fulfil Beyond Housing’s objectives:

Mercury Intranet: This state-of-the-art intranet platform, built on SharePoint, not only provided a modern and visually appealing interface but also perfectly aligned with their branding. It gave colleagues easy access to news, information, integrated business systems, and collaboration tools.

docCentrum Document Management: In their pursuit of more efficient and secure document management, Beyond Housing upgraded their back-end document storage system to docCentrum. This transformation ensured that colleagues could access the correct and up-to-date versions of documents swiftly and securely.

Power Platform: To further streamline operations and foster productivity, web-based forms were replaced with PowerApps, introducing automation and approval processes across various core business functions. Power Automate was also utilised to streamline workflows efficiently.

The Impact Unveiled

The implementation of this new solution unveiled a host of significant benefits for Beyond Housing. Their employees now have access to a stylishly branded intranet that provides easy access to news, information, integrated business systems, and collaboration tools. The modern interface makes navigation a breeze, enhancing the overall user experience.

Additionally, with docCentrum in place, employees can access the correct and up-to-date versions of documents quickly and easily. This not only ensures efficiency but also guarantees security and compliance, a critical aspect in today’s data-driven world.

Lastly, the introduction of PowerApps Forms and Power Automate Workflow was a game-changer. These tools not only streamlined workflows but also introduced automation and approval processes across core business functions, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity.

A Commitment to Excellence

We are honoured to have Beyond Housing as one of our Mercury Intranet customers. We are proud of their success, and we remain dedicated to providing the best intranet experience possible. Our commitment includes ongoing efforts to enhance Mercury Intranet with new features and improvements to meet the evolving needs.

This triumph is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and dedication. It is a celebration of Beyond Housing’s vision and their commitment to creating a modern and efficient intranet that reflects their mission and vision. Explore this case study to gain deeper insights into Beyond Housing’s remarkable intranet transformation.

Book a free demo today!

To experience the transformative power of Mercury Intranet, we invite you to book a free demo and embark on your own journey toward a modern and efficient intranet.

Transforming the Workplace: The Power of AI

In recent years, technology has entered a new and exciting phase. It has transitioned from merely completing tasks set by users to actively participating in decision-making and knowledge gathering. Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation, and it’s changing the workplace in profound ways.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Your AI Assistant

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI-powered productivity tool that integrates large language models with Microsoft 365 apps and services. It’s designed to help you work faster and spark creativity by offering assistance in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Importantly, Copilot is not an autopilot; it’s there to provide suggestions and support, working alongside you.

The Benefits of AI in the Workplace

Microsoft’s Copilot is a holistic example of AI technology directly entering the workplace. Think of it as a modern-day version of the Clippy office assistant from Windows 98. But it doesn’t stop there. AI, including Copilot, is being tailored to specific requirements across various aspects of Microsoft technology, from Microsoft 365 to Microsoft Dynamics, PowerApps, security, and more. This approach increases the value of introducing AI into our daily schedules and tasks.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Shaping Modern Work

Microsoft 365 Copilot aims to turn your prompts into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet. It relieves you of mundane and repetitive tasks, freeing up time for creativity and enjoyment. Copilot responds to natural conversation, working alongside users to boost productivity and unleash innovation.

In Word, Copilot can create original copy and summarise existing content, even following specific tone requests, such as professional or casual. In Excel, it assists with data analysis, simplifying complex formulas, automating repetitive tasks, and improving accuracy and speed. In Teams, Copilot helps organise ideas and understand content during transcribed meetings.

The Benefits for Employee Experiences

Success in the workplace hinges on various factors, with employee engagement and satisfaction being crucial. Copilot enhances the employee workplace experience through its integration with Microsoft Viva. It suggests objectives and key results based on existing data, helps create engaging posts, and offers data-driven recommendations to increase employee engagement. Copilot in Viva Learning suggests specific subjects and knowledge summaries for individual roles and progress requirements.

Beyond Copilot: Exploring AI

While Copilot represents a groundbreaking advancement, the AI landscape is continuously evolving. Tools like ChatGPT offer human-like responses to natural language queries, and other AI solutions like Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing Chat, and Jasper are competing to provide the next leap in human assistance.

The Future of AI in the Workplace

The future of AI in the workplace is filled with possibilities. We’re eager to discuss it with you and how AI and SharePoint can help your organisation. The workplace of tomorrow is being shaped by AI, and the journey is just beginning.

Book a free demo!

If you’re interested in learning more about our team empowerment initiatives or how they can benefit your business, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Book a FREE demo today https://bit.ly/3z1grS3MercuryDemo or call 0845 643 9726.

Video Collaboration: Clipchamp Comes to SharePoint

In today’s digital age, the creation and editing of video content have become essential for effective business communication and collaboration. Microsoft, always at the forefront of productivity tools, introduced Clipchamp – seamlessly integrated with SharePoint and OneDrive for Microsoft 365 users. This is a game-changer, empowering users to edit and create videos without third-party tools, achieving maximum efficiency.

Clipchamp for Microsoft 365: An Overview

Clipchamp for work accounts offers powerful video editing and creation tools, designed to simplify the video content creation process. Available to users with specific Microsoft 365 SKUs, including Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium, Clipchamp is a web-based application that runs seamlessly on Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers.

Why Clipchamp on SharePoint Matters?

The integration of Clipchamp with SharePoint is a significant step forward in enhancing the capabilities of Microsoft 365, offering several compelling benefits:

Streamlined Workflow: With Clipchamp’s integration into SharePoint, users can seamlessly create and edit videos within their SharePoint environment, eliminating the need to switch between platforms or rely on third-party applications.
Enhanced Collaboration: SharePoint is already a powerful collaboration platform, and with Clipchamp, teams can easily work together on video content. Multiple users can access and edit videos stored on SharePoint, making collaborative projects, presentations, or training materials more accessible.
Meeting Recording and Beyond: Clipchamp on SharePoint simplifies the process of editing meeting recordings, allowing users to trim, add transitions, filters, text overlays, and more to make them engaging and professional, without the hassle of third-party software.
Security and Accessibility: Videos edited or created using Clipchamp on SharePoint are securely stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, aligning with Microsoft’s commitment to providing secure, compliant, and accessible tools.

While Clipchamp’s integration with SharePoint is a significant step forward, it’s worth mentioning that a Clipchamp application for Windows is currently in development. Currently available for personal Microsoft accounts, this application is expected to be extended to work accounts in the future, offering even more convenience to users.

The integration of Clipchamp with SharePoint for Microsoft 365 users marks a significant milestone in the world of video content creation and collaboration. It eliminates the need for third-party tools, streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and ensures secure storage. Get ready to explore the world of video with Clipchamp and Microsoft 365 – your complete suite of productivity tools. With Clipchamp, the future of video content creation is here.

Book a free demo today!

5 Ways HR Departments Can Leverage an Intranet Solution

In today’s fast-paced business world, Human Resources (HR) departments play a crucial role in managing an organisation’s most valuable asset – its people. To streamline HR processes, enhance communication, and improve employee engagement, many companies are turning to intranet software. Intranets provide a secure and centralised platform for sharing information, collaborating, and accessing essential HR tools.

Centralised Employee Information Management

Foremost among HR’s responsibilities is the maintenance and organisation of employee records, spanning personal particulars, work history, benefits, and performance evaluations. Intranet software empowers HR to establish a unified digital repository for all employee data. This not only obviates the necessity for physical paperwork but also ensures seamless data accessibility and real-time updates. By employing this system, HR can swiftly retrieve vital information, thus reducing administrative overhead and heightening data accuracy.

Streamlined Onboarding and Offboarding Processes

Efficient onboarding and offboarding procedures are pivotal to creating a smooth and cohesive employee journey. Intranet software acts as a facilitator in this regard by affording new hires access to crucial resources and information, encompassing company policies, training materials, and contact details. In a converse scenario, during offboarding, HR can seamlessly oversee exit interviews, asset retrieval, and system access revocation, thereby ensuring a seamless transition for departing employees.

Employee Empowerment through Self-Service

Empowering employees to take charge of their HR-related tasks is a fundamental benefit of intranet software. HR can establish self-service portals wherein employees can initiate requests for leave, update personal information, review pay statements, and access benefits details. This not only diminishes the administrative load on HR but also endows employees with more autonomy over their HR-related responsibilities, ultimately enhancing satisfaction and engagement levels.

Facilitated Communication and Enhanced Engagement

Effective communication is vital for HR departments to convey important information, such as policy updates, company news, and benefits changes. Intranet software offers HR the tools to create and manage internal communication channels, such as news feeds, forums, and discussion boards. Additionally, HR can use the intranet to conduct surveys and gather feedback from employees, promoting engagement and improving the overall work environment.

Training and Development Excellence

Employee training and development are essential for maintaining a competitive workforce. Intranet software can serve as a platform for delivering training modules, e-learning courses, and resources for skill development. HR can track employee progress, monitor training completion, and identify areas for improvement. This not only enhances employee skills but also aligns the workforce with the company’s strategic objectives.

In conclusion, intranet software has become a valuable tool for HR departments, enabling them to streamline processes, improve communication, and enhance employee engagement. By centralising employee information, simplifying onboarding and offboarding, promoting employee self-service, facilitating communication, and supporting training and development, HR can become more efficient and effective in managing the human capital of the organisation. As businesses continue to evolve, HR departments that harness the power of intranet software will be better equipped to meet the challenges of the future workplace.