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Classic intranet or social intranet – which is better suited to your organisation? Many companies are faced with the decision of whether to modernise their existing intranet. This article clearly shows the differences between a classic intranet and a social intranet, comparing their advantages, disadvantages and specific use cases.
Traditional intranet vs. social intranet: what are the differences?
A classic intranet is usually a central platform for providing information and resources within a company. It acts as a digital library where employees can access company policies, manuals, forms and other relevant resources. Communication here usually takes place in the top-down structure, in which information is passed on from the management level to the employees. Interaction and co-determination of the workforce are often only possible to a limited extent in a classic intranet.
A social intranet, on the other hand, focuses on interaction and collaboration among employees. It enables bottom-up and side-to-side communication in the form of chats, groups or forums and offers digital collaboration features such as joint document editing and project management. Employees can thus actively exchange ideas, share them, participate in discussions and work together on projects.
The key difference between a traditional intranet and a social intranet lies in the type of communication and collaboration. While a traditional intranet tends to be static and geared towards one-way information processing, a social intranet focuses on the active participation of employees and the development of a dynamic community.
Ein weiterer Unterschied besteht darin, dass ein klassisches Intranet in der Regel von IT-Mitarbeiter:innen verwaltet wird, während ein Social Intranet von der ganzen Belegschaft im Unternehmen genutzt und mit Inhalten befüllt werden kann.
| Classic intranet | Social Intranet |
|---|---|
|
Focus on information distribution & document management |
Focus on communication, collaboration, knowledge transfer & interaction |
|
Top-down communication |
Bottom-Up & Side-to-Side Communication
|
|
Limited participation, hierarchical structure |
Active participation, dynamic community |
|
Usually IT employees responsible for content |
All employees in the company responsible for content |
|
Usually functional, less interactive |
Interactive design, intuitive user interface & customization options |
Advantages of the social intranet compared to the classic intranet
A social intranet offers numerous advantages over a traditional intranet, as it enables greater employee participation and more intensive collaboration. These advantages are crucial for the success of the company:
- Improved internal communication and collaboration: Employees can exchange information in real time, which makes communication more efficient.
- Faster decision-making: The quick and easy exchange of information means that decisions can be made more quickly.
- Increased productivity and efficiency: teams can collaborate easily on projects, which significantly optimises workflows.
- Improved employee commitment and greater satisfaction: More co-determination and interaction increase employee motivation and satisfaction.
Advantages and disadvantages of a social intranet
Advantages
A social intranet enables fast and effective communication between employees, regardless of their location or hierarchy. Information can be shared easily, discussions can be held and feedback can be obtained directly.
With functions such as the joint editing of documents, project management tools and group chats, a social intranet promotes efficient collaboration within the company.
Employees can store their knowledge and expertise in profiles. This allows others to access this knowledge and identify experts more easily, which facilitates the transfer of knowledge within the company.
A social intranet offers various opportunities for employee participation. Functions such as likes, comments and surveys increase engagement and promote a positive working atmosphere.
The social intranet serves as a central platform for company information, guidelines, resources and documents. Employees have quick and easy access to relevant information, which improves efficiency.
Disadvantages
The introduction of a social intranet often requires training and change management to ensure that all employees understand and use the platform.
The protection of sensitive company data and personal information is particularly important when using a social intranet. Comprehensive security measures must be implemented.
If not managed properly, a social intranet can lead to a flood of information. It is important to establish clear structures and rules for publishing and categorizing content.
Unlike a classic intranet, where only selected employees created and published content, a social intranet allows all employees to post and share content. This can lead to the dissemination of uncontrolled content that can damage the company.
Despite the many benefits of the platform, excessive use by employees can lead to distraction, which could affect productivity.
It is important that each company individually evaluates and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of a social intranet to determine whether it meets the company’s specific requirements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Welche Nachteile hat ein klassisches Intranet heute?
Traditional intranets are considered rigid and lacking in communication. They offer little opportunity for employee participation and are often difficult to maintain.
Why are many companies deciding to switch to a social intranet?
Due to improved interactivity, faster information flows and increased demands for agile collaboration.
Can a traditional intranet be converted into a social intranet?
Partially. However, it requires technological change, change management and the involvement of all employees.
Requirements for a social intranet: What companies need to consider
From technology to data protection: these are the requirements that a social intranet must meet. Read the selection criteria and tips now.
