How engineering firms are benefiting from intranet software

Have you ever wondered how engineering firms manage to stay on top of their game in this fast-paced digital world? Or how they manage to unite employees and knowledge from multiple offices? 

Well, here’s a little secret: it’s their intranet. 

Whether you’re part of a massive multinational corporation or a nimble startup breaking new ground, intranet software has become the go-to tool for boosting productivity, streamlining communication, and fostering innovation within engineering firms. 

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the incredible benefits and features that make intranet software for engineering firms a must-have for any forward-thinking company. 

How are use cases for engineering firms different from other organizations? 

Intranets primarily solve challenges around communication, collaboration and knowledge. 

And while engineering firms seem to benefit from all three of these, the knowledge management angle is definitely the strongest. 

We noticed this first hand with ThoughtFarmer customers Thurber Engineering and RICK Engineering. One of their primary reasons for acquiring a new intranet was for the purpose of sharing knowledge and information outside of individual branches. 

Ready to begin your intranet journey?

Learn more about ThoughtFarmer's intranet solutions for Engineering firms

Learn more

What are some of the workplace frustrations experienced by engineering firms? 

Communication and Collaboration
Several of the pains mentioned relate to difficulties in internal communications and collaboration effectively within and across teams and offices. This includes a lack of transparency and knowledge sharing, disconnected teams, and information getting lost.

Document / Policy Management
Another trend is the need for a centralized repository for information, documents, and policies, and a lack of findability of information needed for daily tasks. Some are still relying on static websites, shared drives, and email for information sharing, which is inherently inefficient and can lead to lost productivity.

Knowledge Management
Related to the above, engineering firms need better ways to manage their knowledge, specifically around employee training. Technical staff need a place to share their expertise and insight.

Forms / Processes
Many firms are still using paper-based processes and struggling with poor usability and information getting lost. This approach doesn’t provide and analytics, and obviously isn’t available in mobile. Online forms that are integrated into the intranet will allow them to streamline and digitize their business processes, and will given them a way to measure the effectiveness of their intranet and employee engagement.

Employee Engagement and Community
Finally, employee engagement and community building are critical to the success of any engineering firm. They have the same challenges as most professional firms: they need to find ways to connect geographically dispersed teams, improve collaboration and communication, and ensure that all employees receive important company communications.

How can an engineering firm benefit from an intranet? 

Engineering firms can benefit from an intranet in several ways, including:

1. Improved Communication: An intranet can facilitate better communication and collaboration among engineering teams. This can include sharing project updates, discussing technical issues, and coordinating project activities.
2. Centralized Information: An intranet can serve as a centralized repository of technical information, such as design specifications, CAD drawings, and project documentation. This can make it easier for engineers to access the information they need to complete projects more efficiently.
3. Enhanced Project Management: An intranet can provide project management tools that help engineering teams stay on track and meet project deadlines. This can include scheduling and resource allocation tools.
4. Better Collaboration: An intranet can promote collaboration between engineers and other teams, such as sales, marketing, and customer support. This can help ensure that engineering projects align with broader business goals and customer needs.
5. Knowledge Sharing: An intranet can facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices among engineers, promoting continuous learning and development. This can include sharing technical articles, forums, whitepapers, and case studies.
6. Improved Employee Engagement: An intranet can help improve employee engagement by providing a platform for recognition, feedback, and social interaction. This can help foster a positive culture and improve employee retention.
7. Secure Data Sharing: An intranet can provide secure data sharing capabilities, ensuring that sensitive engineering information is only accessible to authorized employees. This can help protect intellectual property and ensure compliance with regulations and standards.

Overall, an intranet can help engineering firms improve communication, streamline workflows, and collaborate more effectively. By providing access to centralized information and project management tools, an intranet can help engineers work more efficiently and deliver higher-quality results.

Learn more about ThoughtFarmer’s intranet software for engineering firms.