Modern Intranet Solutions: SharePoint, Open Source, & AI

For years, intranets were clunky and underutilized. Today, organizations are reimagining their internal digital spaces using modern SharePoint sites, open-source solutions, and AI-driven enhancements. A well-structured intranet not only facilitates communication and collaboration but also boosts productivity, security, and knowledge management.

Sharepoint as a Modern Intranet Backbone

Microsoft SharePoint has evolved into a powerful and highly customizable platform for building intelligent intranet solutions. As part of Microsoft 365, it seamlessly integrates with essential business applications, making it a preferred choice for enterprises.

Key Features of Modern SharePoint Intranets

• Hub Sites – Connect multiple team sites and departments for a unified structure and navigation experience.
• SharePoint Syntex – Leverages AI for document processing, automated metadata tagging, and enhanced knowledge discovery.
• Integration with Microsoft 365 – Works seamlessly with Teams, OneDrive, Power Automate, and Viva Connections for a holistic digital workplace.
• Customizable User Experience – Modern web parts, adaptive page designs, and personalized content delivery improve user engagement.
• Security & Compliance – Built-in compliance tools and enterprise-grade security help safeguard sensitive information.

For organizations already using Microsoft 365, SharePoint provides a scalable and efficient intranet solution. Learn more about our SharePoint solutions.

Open-Source Alternatives: Flexibility & Customization

While SharePoint is a leading enterprise solution, open-source alternatives offer flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and extensive customization options. These platforms allow businesses to build an intranet without being tied to proprietary software licensing.

Popular Open-Source Intranet Platforms

• Mattermost & Rocket.Chat – Secure, self-hosted communication tools that integrate with existing intranet environments.
• Nextcloud Hub – A self-hosted collaboration platform that includes file storage, chat, video conferencing, and project management.
• WordPress (with BuddyPress & bbPress Plugins) – A flexible option for organizations looking for a familiar content management experience with social networking features.
• Alfresco Digital Business Platform – A robust content management system with workflow automation and AI-powered search capabilities.

Open-source solutions provide businesses with full control over their data, minimize vendor dependency, and enable deep customization to meet unique business needs. Explore our open-source intranet expertise.

The Role of AI in Modern Intranets

AI is revolutionizing intranet functionality, making it more intuitive, intelligent, and responsive to employee needs. Businesses that implement AI-driven enhancements can significantly improve user experience and operational efficiency.

AI-Powered Features for Intranets

• AI Chatbots & Virtual Assistants – Automate HR and IT support, providing instant responses to employee queries while reducing internal workload.
• Intelligent Search & Content Recommendations – AI-driven search engines enhance document retrieval through natural language processing and machine learning.
• Automated Workflows & Business Processes – AI-powered automation tools streamline routine tasks such as onboarding, approvals, compliance checks, and reporting.
• Sentiment Analysis & Employee Engagement Insights – AI tools analyze communication patterns to gauge employee sentiment and provide leadership with actionable insights.

Read more about how AI is shaping workplace technology.

Future-Proofing Your Intranet Strategy

The future of intranets lies in adaptability, intelligence, and user experience. A modern intranet should be:

• User-Centric – Designed with intuitive navigation, personalized dashboards, and mobile accessibility.
• Integrated – Seamlessly connected to essential business tools to reduce silos and improve productivity.
• Secure & Scalable – Built with robust security protocols and the flexibility to scale as business needs evolve.
• AI-Enhanced – Leveraging machine learning for automation, insights, and smarter collaboration.

Choosing the Right Intranet Solution

Whether you opt for SharePoint, an open-source platform, or a hybrid approach, selecting the right intranet solution depends on your organization’s unique requirements, IT infrastructure, and long-term goals. Key factors to consider include ease of adoption, integration capabilities, security compliance, and user experience.

If you’re looking to upgrade your intranet, now is the perfect time to explore modern solutions. Contact us today to discuss how we can implement an intranet that meets your specific needs!

Shai Reichert, Co-founder & managing partner at XDS

Shai is a technologist, marketer and strategist who has been seeped in digital throughout his entire career, from working at Startups and agencies to fortune 500 companies like Comcast. When he’s not chasing his kids around, at XDS he focuses on creating best-in-class technical solutions and digital marketing stacks for industry-leading clients.

About the Experience Design Studio

The Experience Design Studio is an award-winning digitally native customer experience agency founded in 2017 by two agency veterans, bringing their collective creative, user experience, marketing, technology, and healthcare expertise together.

XDS is a full-service digital agency providing strategy to creation, consulting, design, engineering, marketing, and analytics, with the aim of providing seamless customer, patient, and HCP experiences across all digital touch points, with common sense sprinkled in.