Modern SharePoint Architecture: What IT Needs to Understand Before Building an Intranet
Hub sites, SPFx, Microsoft Graph, Viva Connections - a ground-level guide to modern SharePoint architecture for IT teams planning an intranet.
Turn your SharePoint intranet into a communication tool employees actually use
Are you using SharePoint for your intranet, but it feels clunky and not very intuitive? You’re not alone. Many organizations find SharePoint powerful, but less user-friendly for everyday communication. With Involv intranet, you build on your existing SharePoint environment while adding a modern, visual and easy-to-manage intranet experience. You keep the full strength of Microsoft 365, while communication finally becomes clear, structured and accessible to every employee.
Why most SharePoint intranets fail and how to prevent it
Many organizations invest time and budget in a SharePoint intranet, only to see usage drop within months. That’s no coincidence. These are the three most common causes.
- Management is too complex. SharePoint requires technical knowledge, even for small changes. As a result, communication teams depend on IT, which slows down updates and lets content go stale fast. With Involv intranet, your communication team manages everything themselves – no code required.
- Adoption drops quickly. Employees don’t find what they’re looking for, disengage, and fall back on email or WhatsApp. Involv intranet offers an intuitive interface, smart search and personalized notifications that actively engage people.
- The design feels generic. Standard SharePoint looks like… standard SharePoint. No brand identity, no personality, no employee experience. Involv intranet makes your intranet truly your own: your colors, your logo, your tone of voice.
Trusted by 200+ organizations worldwide:
Looking for a ready-made intranet built entirely on SharePoint?
Challenges with a custom SharePoint intranet
- ✕Without experts, you won’t get the most out of your intranet.
- ✕External consultants rarely provide long-term guidance.
- ✕Once they leave, you’re often left without support.
- ✕The cost of external experts adds up quickly.
- ✕Without experience from hundreds of projects, adoption stays low.
How Involv intranet solves these challenges
- ✓A team of intranet and communication experts is ready to support you.
- ✓Your personal Success Manager guides you from kickoff through post-launch.
- ✓With our hypercare, you always have support after launch.
- ✓Transparent pricing, no hidden costs.
- ✓With experience from 200+ projects, Involv ensures strong adoption and impact.
Turn SharePoint into a structured and user-friendly intranet
With Involv intranet, you extend SharePoint with targeted features that add structure and ease of use to your existing environment. You organize content, streamline communication and make information easier for employees to find. Here are some capabilities that go beyond what SharePoint offers out of the box:
Branded newsletters
Easily create and send newsletters that perfectly match your intranet and branding.
Smart search with synonyms and glossary
Find what you’re looking for faster thanks to smart search logic, synonyms and a central glossary.
Multilingual and automatically translated
Display your intranet in any language and translate everything with a single click.
Digital signage – Involv Cast
The fast and easy way to display your intranet content on screens throughout your organization.
Welcome tour and mandatory reads
Get new employees up to speed right away with structured onboarding and mandatory content.
Involv tab
Combine multiple web parts into one tidy layout and save space on your pages.
Your own custom app
Give employees access to news, colleagues and content through a mobile app that seamlessly matches your intranet.
Content filter and notifications
Let employees choose which content they follow and how they receive notifications.
Advanced analytics
Get insight into usage and behavior: from search queries to content performance.
SharePoint vs. Involv: the key differences at a glance
Wondering whether Involv intranet is the right choice over standard SharePoint? The table below gives you a clear overview of the criteria that really matter.
| Criterion | SharePoint (standard) | SharePoint + Involv |
|---|---|---|
| Management | IT-dependent. Even small changes require technical knowledge. | ✓Communication team manages everything independently, without code or IT. |
| Design & branding | Standard Microsoft look with little flexibility. | ✓Fully on-brand, including colors, logos and layouts. |
| Search | Limited search, without smart filters or synonyms. | ✓Synonyms, glossary and personalized results. |
| Mobile | Works through the SharePoint app, but not on-brand or customizable. | ✓Branded mobile app in your own brand identity, including push notifications. |
| Notifications | Email only, with little targeting. | ✓Push notifications, email, Teams alerts. Employees decide for themselves. |
| Implementation time | Months of customization, configuration and training for a usable intranet. | ✓Live in just a few weeks thanks to ready-to-use components. |
Powering better internal communication in
We can boast what we want, but here’s what our customers say 👇
Faster publishing, higher engagement and full content control – these organizations share what changed since switching to Involv.
NatureScot: A fully accessible intranet that supports hybrid work
AZ Klina: From outdated SharePoint to a modern intranet
Europabank: One central hub for comms and collaboration
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to migrate away from Microsoft SharePoint to use Involv Intranet?
No. Involv Intranet is built on top of SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365. You retain full ownership of your content, permissions and environment – no migration is required.
How long does it take to go live with Involv Intranet?
Usually just a few weeks. Thanks to more than 50 ready-to-use components and our guided onboarding, most teams go live much faster than with a custom-built SharePoint solution.
Do I need SharePoint expertise to manage the intranet?
Not at all. Involv Intranet is designed so internal communication teams can manage content independently – without any coding or technical knowledge. Publishing news, updating pages and viewing analytics can all be done through an intuitive no-code dashboard.
Is Involv secure?
Yes. Involv is implemented within your own Microsoft 365 environment. Your data stays in your own tenant and complies with Microsoft’s security and access standards.
Can I personalize content for different teams or locations?
Absolutely. Involv Intranet supports targeted content display based on role, department, language, location or any other profile field.
What kind of support will we get?
You get a dedicated success manager. In addition, we provide training, templates and ongoing support so you can launch and continue to grow with confidence – without having to rely on consultants.
How much does Involv Intranet cost?
Pricing depends on the number of users, selected modules and level of guidance required. More importantly, the total cost of ownership is often lower than custom-built solutions, as implementation and maintenance are significantly faster and more efficient. Visit our pricing page for an overview of the available packages and request the full pricing guide without obligation.
Does Involv Intranet also work for frontline employees without a PC or fixed workplace?
Yes. Through the branded mobile app, you can also reach frontline employees in environments such as healthcare, manufacturing or construction – without requiring a company laptop or fixed workstation. Push notifications ensure that everyone stays informed.
What if we are still using SharePoint On-Premise?
Microsoft is gradually phasing out support for SharePoint On-Premise. That is why it is important to start planning for a future-proof solution in time. With Involv Intranet, we guide organizations through a smooth transition to a modern intranet environment within Microsoft 365 – without losing structure or content. Read here how to approach the transition.
Get started in 3 steps
From analysis to launch and beyond: we guide you step by step toward an intranet that works for the long term.
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Step 1
Map out the needs
Which information can’t employees find? Which departments barely communicate? A short internal analysis lays the foundation for an intranet that truly helps employees.
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Step 2
Start with Involv intranet
Involv intranet is a layer on top of your existing SharePoint and Microsoft 365. You keep all your documents and structure – nothing gets lost. No migration, no hassle.
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Step 3
Launch and optimize
Go live with a strong launch: a welcome tour, targeted notifications and a communication plan. Thanks to the analytics, you can fine-tune right away where needed.
