As the digital workplace transforms, many companies face a familiar question: does the traditional intranet still serve a purpose?

Having returned to ATOS as an engagement manager, I’ve witnessed a compelling shift firsthand. ATOS recently adopted Yammer, a leading provider of private enterprise social networks. Yammer’s platform—similar to Facebook, yet secure for corporate users—has revolutionized our internal communication and collaboration.

The impact was immediate. By establishing a team-specific network within Yammer, I enabled seamless collaboration across my portfolio, reaching colleagues who operate from multiple locations. Yammer quickly became my go-to platform, replacing the company’s static intranet as my default browser homepage.

The challenge with traditional intranets is well-known (I’ve written strategic papers and briefing papers for clients and consulting firms over the last decade): they’re often underutilized, with employees frequently forgetting login credentials. Single sign-on solutions are only a partial remedy, addressing a symptom without enhancing engagement.

The intranet’s rigidity contrasts sharply with platforms like Yammer, which see viral adoption and foster organic, two-way communication. Unlike the one-directional information push of an intranet, Yammer enables active contributions from all members, sparking richer collaboration and deeper connectivity.

This experience highlights the intranet’s limitations. While I’ve led the adoption of many tools for product and project communication in the past, achieving significant results, Yammer’s capabilities take collaboration to a new level—without the extensive investments once required to integrate disparate technologies.

Yammer has exceeded my expectations, proving its potential to elevate team interaction and engagement. In the evolving digital landscape, it may finally be time to consider alternatives to the traditional intranet.

What’s Next for Your Organization?

Is your organization exploring enterprise social platforms? Have you tried Yammer or a similar solution?