Corporate Intranets on the Rise

Recent surveys have found that 90% of organizations are planning to increase their intranet efforts. This has also been due to the push to take advantage of the automation process of electronic forms, utilizing workflow capabilities, web2.0 features and the reduced amounts of paper.

Because of these new requests companies are facing how to implement the best solution that is the most cost effective. Organizations that are going to embark on this project need to determine what is the most reasonable solution that will meet their IT budgets.

Today’s options and platforms are robust with rich content, extensive collaboration functions that deliver unique business solutions and most IT departments can leverage these features, instead of tying up resources in development and research.

There is a core set of portal characteristics that need to be used for success.

1. The portal must integrate with multiple business processes, content and applications
2. Access needs to be available online and offline through any device.
3. Open standards that will integrate into the current IT architecture which also leverages current assets and develops new capabilities.


As a web strategist and consultant I recently completed an intranet for a medium sized insurance marketing firm. The project initially started with the deploying dedicated servers running Windows 2008 with SharePoint. Once the quotes came through the decision was made to find alternatives. Eventually the decision was made to go with SharePoint Hosting (sharepointhosting.com). Yes, this is a hosted solution and there are only a few limitations. For this project the needs would be completely satified.

What was accomplished

-Calendaring for events and holidays
-All sales reporting and forcasting
-Data is real-time being pulled from the onsite SQL server.
-Dashboard graphics were deployed for data analysis.
-IT support
-Colaboration of documents within management
-Control user access, so users only can see sections related to their needs.


Yes, SharePoint Designer does work with this hosted solution. Additionally, after six weeks of work we never had any downtime with sharpointhosting.com. Finally, I have a happy client and successful deployment of a Microsoft product, with the complete integration of the three primary characteristics that a successful intranet needs.

Contact me for a free consultation.

Errett CordAuthor Info: Errett Cord is a former excutive of a web hosting firm who has worked with many small- to medium-sized companies developing effective internet strategies. As part of his commitment to helping others improve their businesses, Errett has become deeply involved with Magento, WordPress, SharePoint and how to effectively set up and manage the platform. Contact Errett Cord (ecord@ecord.us)