Sector:
Culture & Arts
Size:
51 - 200
Main Services:
Upgraded intranet with SharePoint and Microsoft Teams for better collaboration
Technologies Used:
SharePoint, Teams
The National Concert Hall (NCH) is a national cultural institution and the designated home of music in Ireland. Hosting over 1,000 events each year, we offer world class music, inspiring arts experiences and entertainment for all ages. Over four decades, the NCH became the statutory body charged with establishing both the national venue for music performance, and the institution responsible for promoting and supporting music as an integral part of Irish life.
The NCH found itself dealing with an outdated intranet system that hindered efficient communication and collaboration among its staff. The existing system was neither user-friendly nor effective in enabling content curators to manage and update information independently. Navigation was cumbersome, and accessing necessary resources was time-consuming, which impacted overall productivity.
The NCH sought a solution that would streamline its operations, foster better collaboration, and make information more accessible to all 250 staff members holding Microsoft 365 licenses. The goal was clear: scale up, upgrade, and include everyone in a more integrated and efficient system.
To address these challenges, the National Concert Hall turned to Spanish Point Technologies, a trusted partner renowned for its expertise in leveraging Microsoft technologies. Spanish Point designed and implemented a new intranet and collaboration solution based on SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams. This solution aimed to create a user-friendly portal that not only reflected the rich culture and history of the NCH but also provided easy access to relevant information and resources for staff.
“Working with Spanish Point was a transformative experience for the National Concert Hall. Their team’s expertise and dedication helped us turn our vision into reality. They were particularly adept at understanding our diverse requirements and delivering a solution that is user-friendly and highly effective.”
Philip Deacon
National Concert Hall
The project kicked off with a series of workshops designed to refine and shape the intranet structure. Spanish Point worked closely with various groups within the NCH to understand their unique requirements. The UX design phase was particularly effective, with mock-ups that addressed user needs and feedback, ensuring a design that was both functional and intuitive.
Key features of the new intranet solution included:
The implementation phase saw the provisioning of the application with necessary configurations and branding, development of the “F24 Teams Tab” app, and rigorous internal quality assurance. Spanish Point also provided comprehensive training sessions to ensure that staff could effectively use the new system, culminating in a successful go-live.
One standout feature is the organisation chart, which has proven to be invaluable for onboarding and helping staff understand roles and responsibilities within the NCH. The intranet has become the go-to place for essential information, and the feedback system encourages continuous improvement.
In addition to the organisation chart, NCH internal newsletter function it’s a dynamics news feed of attractive articles to keep staff updated with what is happening around the organization. Recent articles are surfaced on the Intranet homepage and important ones can be spotlighted. Optionally, staff can replicate the functionality for NCH’s old document-based newsletter was replicated using the SharePoint News Digest feature, to get a summary of recent articles delivered to their mailbox.
The intranet has a useful feature that shows the organisation chart, which helps new and existing staff to understand the roles and responsibilities within NCH. The intranet is also the main source of essential information, and the feedback system supports ongoing improvement.
Another feature is the internal newsletter function, which provides a dynamic news feed of engaging articles to keep staff informed about what is going on in the organisation. Recent articles appear on the Intranet homepage and important ones can be highlighted. Optionally, staff can use the SharePoint News Digest feature to get the same functionality as NCH’s old document-based newsletter, and receive a summary of recent articles in their mailbox.
The revamped intranet and enhanced Microsoft Teams usage have significantly transformed the National Concert Hall’s internal operations. Key benefits include:
Improved User Experience
The new portal is more intuitive, allowing staff and content curators to navigate and manage content with ease.
Efficient Content Management
Content curators can now update their own content independently, reducing reliance on IT support.
Enhanced Collaboration
The clear segregation of intranet and collaboration areas has fostered better teamwork and communication.
Easier Access to Information
Staff can quickly find the information and resources they need, boosting overall productivity.
“The collaboration with Spanish Point was a transformative experience. They were committed to clear communication and meticulous testing, which ensured that the National Concert Hall’s new intranet and collaboration tools not only met but exceeded our expectations. The outcome has significantly improved our daily operations and productivity.”
Philip Deacon
National Concert Hall
Since the launch of the new intranet and collaboration tools, the National Concert Hall has experienced a seamless and efficient internal operation. The project not only met but exceeded the organisation’s objectives, setting the NCH up for continued success. Staff and content curators now enjoy a streamlined experience that enhances their ability to perform their roles effectively.
As the NCH looks to the future, they see the potential for further integrating these tools into their operations, exploring additional functionalities with the help of Spanish Point. The successful collaboration has laid a strong foundation for ongoing innovation and improvement.
By partnering with Spanish Point Technologies, the National Concert Hall has not only overcome its initial challenges but also positioned itself as a modern, efficient, and collaborative organisation ready to face the future.
