The local authority of Houthalen-Helchteren, located in the Limburg province, employs around 320 people, including 110 staff in technical and cleaning support roles.
The organization set out to implement a new intranet to strengthen interaction between departments and teams through a user-friendly and modern platform.
<300
Belgium
Local government
The challenge
The existing intranet was built on WordPress. While it initially performed well, the need arose for a more advanced and future-proof solution.
The main challenges included:
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No Single Sign-On (SSO)
Employees had to log in repeatedly, leading to frustration, forgotten passwords and additional administrative effort. -
Limited usability
Login issues combined with inefficient workflows resulted in low adoption of the intranet. -
Compliance limitations (GDPR)
The platform did not fully meet privacy regulations, creating potential risks for the organization. -
One-way communication
Interaction was limited, and there were no standard tools for collaboration or quick feedback.
These factors led the organization to look for an intranet that better supports usability, interaction and security.
“When exploring different intranet solutions, Involv immediately stood out. Its strong reviews and awards played an important role. The integration with Microsoft 365 was also a major advantage, especially since employees were already familiar with it.”
The solution
With the implementation of the Involv intranet, Houthalen-Helchteren gained a central platform that significantly simplifies communication and collaboration.
Key improvements:
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Strong Microsoft 365 integration
Tools such as Microsoft Teams and Forms are seamlessly integrated. -
Interactive features
Functionalities like the “Who’s Who” module make it easier to find and connect with colleagues. -
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Users can access the platform without repeated logins. -
Automatic adoption
The intranet opens automatically when employees start their computer, encouraging usage. -
Security and compliance
Built on Microsoft 365, the platform meets high standards for privacy and security.
Additionally, the intranet results in significant time savings for the communications team. Tasks that previously required external tools such as Mailchimp are now managed within one central system.
Launch
The intranet was launched on December 6.
An internal contest was organized to name the newsletter, resulting in the winning name “Nic Nac” (News In Close-up).
The Sinterklaas-themed launch created a recognizable and engaging moment, contributing to employee involvement.
Results
Following the launch, an internal survey showed overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the intranet was well received across the organization.
Further improvements are planned:
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Mobile app in development
Technical staff will be able to access the intranet on mobile, regardless of location.
“I’m pleasantly surprised by the level of interaction and the ‘Who’s Who’ feature. Likes are starting to come in, and polls are a fun and useful addition.”
– Jimmy, internal communications officer
Conclusion
By transitioning to the Involv intranet, Houthalen-Helchteren has evolved from a limited, outdated platform to an integrated digital workplace focused on usability, interaction and security.
The result is an intranet that not only improves efficiency but also actively strengthens engagement and collaboration across the organization.
