From a limited WordPress intranet to an integrated digital workplace for the whole local authority.
How the local government of Houthalen-Helchteren strengthened interaction between departments and teams with Involv intranet, built on Microsoft 365.
The local authority of Houthalen-Helchteren, in the province of Limburg, employs around 320 people, including 110 staff in technical and cleaning support roles.
The organisation set out to implement a new intranet to strengthen interaction between departments and teams through a user-friendly and modern platform. This is how they did it with Involv intranet.
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:
- 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 organisation.
- One-way communication. Interaction was limited, and there were no standard tools for collaboration or quick feedback.
These factors led the organisation 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.”
JimmyInternal communications officer, Houthalen-Helchteren
JimmyThe solution
With the implementation of Involv intranet, Houthalen-Helchteren gained a central platform that significantly simplifies communication and collaboration. Key improvements:
- 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.
On top of that, the intranet delivers significant time savings for the communications team. Tasks that previously required external tools such as Mailchimp are now managed within one central system.
A Sinterklaas-themed launch
The intranet was launched on December 6. An internal contest was organised to name the newsletter, resulting in the winning name “Nic Nac” (News In Close-up). The Sinterklaas-themed launch created a recognisable and engaging moment, contributing to employee involvement.
The results
Following the launch, an internal survey showed overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the intranet was well received across the organisation. Further improvements are already planned:
- 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.”
Conclusion
By transitioning to 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 organisation.
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