Already using Microsoft solutions, Loire Forez agglomeration decided to replace its old intranet by a Powell intranet. It called on the Empower teams for this project. Ann-Lor Zarli-Barlet, internal communication and digital project manager of Loire Forez, explains why the Powell solution was chosen, how the new intranet is used today and gives her opinion on the collaboration with the teams Blue Soft Empower .
Presentation of Loire Forez agglomeration
" Loire Forez agglomeration is a community of 87 municipalities and 112,000 inhabitants in the Loire, about 40 kilometers from Saint-Etienne, between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon. The agglomeration has about 500 agents and 1,300 elected officials in the 87 municipalities of the territory," says Ms. Zarli-Barlet.
Why did you decide to redesign the intranet and choose Powell Intranet?
She explains: "Our previous intranet dated from 2009, so it was obsolete. Its functionalities no longer met the needs of users or site administrators, whether in terms of ergonomics, "responsive design" or collaboration.
We turned to the Powell solution to benefit from Microsoft's functionalities. We had indeed started to deploy collaborative tools at the Agglomeration level, in particular SharePoint and Teams. Another reason was that we wanted a rapid development, because the new intranet had to be put into service before the installation of the new community council, following the municipal and inter-communal elections.
We also had issues related to graphic customization. We wanted to go a little further than what SharePoint offers natively, for example to integrate our graphic charter. Finally, we were looking for a solution that was more easily manageable for all contributor and administrator profiles.
What do you particularly appreciate in Powell Intranet?
"What we appreciated first of all in the Powell solution was its speed of deployment, as our deadlines were very tight due to the setting up of the new executive. The promise was kept as the intranet was operational on time.
Secondly, the interface is more user-friendly than SharePoint. This makes it easier for all users, including those who are not necessarily comfortable with computers.
Finally, we like the fact that it's scalable. There are regular new features, including "Flex Desk," which we just deployed on the site."
How is the intranet used today in your community?
The project manager explains: "On the one hand, we have several departments that contribute to the project. First of all, the Communications Department is leading the project, with the support of the Information Systems Department. Then there is the HR department, more specifically on the "Job Offers" and "Newcomers" sections. Finally, there is the general secretariat to feed the "Bodies" section, which gathers information related to the community council and the various commissions.
On the other hand, we have several types of users. Our intranet is open to the agents of the Agglomeration and the Tourist Office, as well as to the town hall secretaries and general managers of the services of the 87 communes of Loire Forez. It is also accessible to all the municipal representatives of the territory. In fact, we wanted to open it up beyond the 128 titular community advisors.
On our intranet, users can find news that can either be found on the general public website or specific news, particularly in HR. We have also set up news in images, which are more visual and less formal, allowing us to disseminate information about the behind-the-scenes life of our departments, about our favorites, etc. The intranet also provides access to a document base, with resource documents (regulations and procedures, document templates, tutorials, etc.) and all information related to meetings (agendas, presentations, minutes, etc.). Finally, we can find information on the arrival of new agents or job offers, for example.
Do you use Powell Intranet for other purposes?
"Yes, we wanted to offer a directory, linked to HR information. It is connected to our AD, to be updated more easily, almost in real time. This makes it possible to find the various users, agents or elected officials, and to contact them easily. Inter-knowledge at the level of the Agglomeration is thus favored.
Moreover, we have recently deployed the "Flex Desk" module, a new feature in the Powell solution, in a logic of development of mobile work. We wanted to offer an alternative or at least a complementary device to telework. Today, the agents can, via the intranet, see the available offices on different sites of the Agglomeration and book them easily.
Our other wish was to be able to connect our different Office tools, both office tools and collaborative tools, such as Microsoft Teams. We also connected some business tools. Our goal, in the long run, is to make it a "Digital Workplace"," says Ann-Lor Zarli-Barlet.
How did the collaboration with the teams go? Empower
"We selected the company Blue Soft Empower after a consultation to be able to deploy an intranet with Powell. This selection was made in early 2020. We thus worked in the very particular context of containment, the intranet having been deployed between March and May 2020. Despite this unprecedented and complex context, the collaboration went very well.
We appreciated the rigor, the speed, the reactivity of the teams, the quality of listening. We had an additional difficulty: the fact that we could not meet and work only remotely. In spite of this, the Empower teams were able to listen to our requests and immediately give us visibility on the impact on the schedule and budget, as well as on the possible constraints. This made it easier for us to make decisions. To sum up, we are very satisfied with this collaboration, which was efficient and based on a real relationship of trust," concludes Mrs. Zarli-Barlet.
