Two of the most important functions of an intranet
One of the key roles of an intranet is to connect people and share information. With modern work environments spanning multiple time zones and locations, a company intranet can be an excellent tool to keep employees engaged and connected—provided they have a reason to visit, know where to find it, and understand how to use it.
Unfortunately, intranets often fail to be at the core of company culture, leading to decreased value and unrealized potential. Given the overload of mobile-friendly communication channels in recent years, this isn’t entirely surprising. As more people turn to their smartphones for company news and updates, intranets risk becoming secondary.
But what about communication and information sharing in physical workplaces, such as offices or factories? And how can digital signage help?
Encouraging communication
An intranet is a great tool for securely sharing information and resources across a company. It provides a scalable way to distribute internal communications and, in theory, fosters open dialogue across teams and departments.
When implemented effectively, an intranet can help create a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. However, many intranets end up being overcomplicated, rarely updated, and clunky, making them less appealing compared to streamlined, intuitive alternatives.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of an intranet remain strong. The real question is: how can it evolve alongside modern ways of working? This is where digital signage comes in.
Pushing information to employees
Around the world, companies use digital signage in physical workplaces, from reception areas to shared spaces. The key is using digital signage to make information sharing more engaging, interactive, and employee-centered—ensuring employees get the right information at the right time.
Just like an intranet, digital signage can act as a platform to distribute updates across a company. However, digital signage removes the need to access a device like a tablet or computer—employees can simply see the information on screens in shared spaces.
For example, an employee might see a message on a digital sign and interact with it using their smartphone. A QR code can direct them to more detailed information, making it easier to read further or take action.
This approach also works for gathering information from employees. For instance, a live poll displayed on a digital sign could allow employees to vote via their mobile phones.
For meetings and digital notice boards, smartphones enable interactive engagement—employees could use a simple digital sticky note system to share ideas. This two-way communication creates a much more dynamic and engaging experience than traditional static digital content.
If employees always have their smartphones, why not turn them into tools for engagement? A simple scan of a QR code could allow them to register for an event, access training materials, or sign up for updates—without cluttering their inbox with emails throughout the day.
Making information engaging
With so many digital distractions competing for attention, workplace communications must be engaging and relevant. A common issue with company intranets is that much of the content is irrelevant or uninteresting to employees.
Digital signage can fix this by mixing business updates with engaging content—such as local news, weather, or even employee-generated messages. This increases engagement by drawing employees in with one topic and keeping them interested in another.
Some companies take this further by integrating business intelligence tools like Microsoft Power BI into digital signage. This allows for real-time data visualization, helping teams access critical insights without the need for complex logins or additional steps.
Alongside corporate updates, digital signs can also display interactive widgets—such as company leaderboards, event calendars, or even fun social content like employee birthdays or achievements.
Are digital signs the new intranet?
It’s a bold claim! But in many ways, digital signage can function as an evolution of the traditional intranet. Like an intranet, it provides a continuous flow of information that employees can engage with, either passively or interactively.
While digital signage won’t entirely replace the intranet, it certainly offers exciting new ways to connect employees and share important information.
Thinking about using digital signage to improve communication and information sharing in your organization? Let’s chat over a virtual coffee! ☕
