Many companies realize that they can post bulletins or announcements on their companies web site. But, did you know you can use your intranet to cut down the time your employees spend on routine communication tasks. If you are using email internally you already know the benefits over trying to get someone over the phone. The one problem with using email is that the entire message is usually not conveyed in the first communication. One email usually starts a string of emails back and forth until the other part completely understands your request or message. Instead consider putting forms on your Intranet. Design forms for frequently requested tasks within your organization. For ex. Request for PC repair, stationary reorder from supply room, telephone messages. Have your users fill out the form and make sure the required information is entered by using data validation. This will provide the recipient with an email that is complete with all the required information and save a lot of time.

How much time do your employees spend answering routinely asked questions? want to cut down the time? put the information on an Intranet. Don't just put it out there, refer all your callers to your Intranet. for ex. before your travel office answers the phone play a short recorded message saying "For routine questions check our pages on the company Intranet at www..... ."

Do your employees spend time chasing paper? trying to hunt down paper forms, reports, documents, microfilm? consider converting these documents to electronic formats using scanners, OCR software or other means. Provide a search interface to these documents using your Intranet. Once users know how easily accessible these documents are over the Intranet, they will prefer the faster solution. Result? you save money.

Many manufacturing comapnies are realizing the benefits of using an intranet to collect and distribute OSHA and safety information.