How to build an intranet with open-source software? UPDATED 2021

​The two most important aspects that create innovative ideas, foster organizational growth, increase employee performance, and overall productivity are effective team collaboration and frictionless information exchange. Internal communication has enabled organizations to achieve a variety of benefits, including improved employee engagement and experience, the establishment of better work culture in the workplace, and more.

The intranet has resulted in more cohesive teams and fosters corporate growth.

What exactly is an intranet?

An intranet is a private and secure computer network used by a firm for internal communications. Only a few people have access to this network, and they can safely communicate information with other team members and departments.

Intranets have evolved into powerful tools for strong collaboration and effective communication, facilitating the completion of tasks. The organization does not need to invest in any additional hardware networks or pricey proprietary software.

How to build an intranet with an open-source software:

Simply put, an intranet is an internal website that assists your organization in accomplishing its objectives. Intranets give employees remote access to company data, communications, and even social networking. Analysis, thinking, and preparation are required when planning and executing an intranet, but it does not have to be costly to start or time-consuming to maintain.

1. Hosting

  Choose a location for your intranet files. Servers are used by many organizations to store and access website files and share company data. Virtual machines, or VMs, are virtual computers that live within the hardware and software of your server and are used to store various sorts of data. It makes sense to set up a specialized virtual machine for your intranet. If this isn't possible, you can use intranet hosts instead. These are typically simpler to create and deploy, but they come with a monthly subscription.

2. Design​

To some extent, the goal of your intranet will drive design, adding elements that your employees require to improve their work. While an intranet, like a website, can be built from the ground up, intranet design options can be open-source, freeware, or commercial. Many web hosting firms also host intranets, so check with yours to see what they have to offer. Site creation is handled by dedicated intranet hosts. The design must be simple to use for your employees.

 3.Data Migration​

After you've decided what should be included and how it should appear, the next step is to upload the data to the intranet server. This is most likely the most time-consuming and least exciting aspect of the project. Because the data is sent between two VMs, hosting the intranet on your server has several advantages, including the simplicity with which data can be imported and changed. Depending on the amount of data you wish to upload, uploading to a cloud host could take a long time.

4.Management

The management of your intranet might be straightforward if your material is static, or it can be hard if your data is continuously changing and spans multiple departments. Consider delegating section content management to different persons, just as you would delegate project management to different people for different jobs, but keeping overall administration in the hands of a webmaster, just as you would with your corporate website. Plan and schedule updates and delegate updating duties to section administrators. Decentralizing intranet administration increases the likelihood of employee adoption and active utilization.

Best free and open-source intranet software:

1. Bitrix24

​Bitrix24 is the most popular and best free and open-source social intranet software, including cloud and on-premise deployment options. For small businesses and startups, the software is absolutely free. The best part about this solution is that it comes with over thirty free intranet tools. Intuitive mobile applications, content management systems, application programming interfaces, open-source programs, and much more are available to enterprises.

Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint lists, Microsoft Exchange, active directory, and more advanced features are all integrated within the free intranet system.

Intranet solutions can also be accessed using a mobile phone. Install the app on your Android or iOS device, and you'll be able to access the information from anywhere, at any time. Along with the basic functions, Bitrix24 offers intranet software for optimizing HR processes, project management, document, and record management.

2. TWiki

TWiki is free and open-source intranet software that can also be used as a web application and enterprise collaboration platform. Structured Wiki is an intranet solution that aids in the operation of the project development and document management systems.

TWiki enables you to create beautiful web applications without having any programming experience. Different groupware tools can be used on both the intranet and the extranet. Plugins allow developers to extend the software's functionality. You can optimize your organization's information flow, boost team cooperation and productivity, and eliminate the problem of obsolete intranet material.

Twiki is a common Intranet software that includes an edit option on every page, allowing anyone with a browser to make changes or additions to the content. Several top companies use this intranet tool to collaborate globally and merge projects due to its user-friendliness.

3. Liferay

Liferay is a modern open-source intranet and content management system that assists entrepreneurs in running their enterprises smoothly and efficiently. They can more effectively handle the demands of the workforce and deliver customer solutions with greater consistency.

Liferay is also a leader in B2B commerce, with integration platforms, best-in-class partners, and customer portals. With headless API platforms, you can also gain additional control and freedom over the CMS.

The software has been instrumental in replacing the traditional internal workplace system with cutting-edge technologies and interfaces. It also offers a modern, reusable, and cost-effective solution that is supported by modular design. The software provides a highly secure, robust, and reliable platform for enterprises to implement digital transformation.

Conclusion

You'll only have to pay for the design and development of your intranet, not the platform itself because open-source software is always free. This will allow you to focus your funds and resources on creating the best possible user experience.