Onshore, offshore, or nearshore? In today’s age of global platform support, digital ticketing, and instantaneous communication, vendor location isn’t always important… Or so you might think.
Yet, for 21% of buyers surveyed by Gartner, vendor proximity was one of the top reasons behind their latest software purchase. The question is: why?
In this article, we’ll discuss the advantages of UK intranet platforms, and investigate whether onshore options really are the best choice.
5 advantages of a UK-based intranet vendor
The following benefits assume that, like us, your business resides in the UK. If that’s incorrect, don’t worry – you can apply most of these to your region, too.
1. A shared timezone
This is perhaps the most obvious benefit of choosing a British vendor. A shared timezone will make it easier for you to access real-time support, organise convenient onboarding workshops, and respond to communications.
That being said, a good intranet partner should provide online support and accessible knowledge base articles 24/7, no matter your location.
2. Closer on-premise support
Planning on hosting an intranet in your own environment but require some hands-on assistance? A UK-based provider may be the best option for you.
Some local vendors will offer onsite technical support to help you with your deployment and installation. This is typically offered in addition to standard remote support.
3. Better industry knowledge
Intranet providers in the UK will have a more rounded understanding of your industry needs and challenges, whether you’re a secondary school preparing for an upcoming OFSTED inspection or an NHS trust juggling dispersed healthcare teams.
They’ll also have lived experience of the UK’s political, economic and social environment. All of this combined can result in a more aligned partnership and onboarding experience.
4. Familiarity with UK regulations and standards
A UK partner will also know the ins-and-outs of local regulations, standards and guidance, including:
- The GDPR
- The Data Protection Act
- Financial Conduct Authority standards
- Governmental education guidance
- SRA Standards and Regulations for legal firms
- Healthcare statutory guidance
- UK HR policies and employee rights
For heavily regulated industries, this knowledge can add an extra layer of reassurance. (Especially as UK vendors are obligated to comply with statutory regulations like the GDPR and the Data Protection Act.)
But take this with a grain of salt. Any reputable intranet vendor should have a wider understanding of regulations beyond their own region, too. For instance, Claromentis is HIPAA compliant and adheres to globally-recognised ISO standards.
5. Relevant intranet recommendations and apps
Utilising their knowledge of industry standards and regulations, a local vendor can offer more practical advice and ideas for your intranet build. Recommendations may include:
- E-forms for data subjects to request their information (as purported in the GDPR)
- Permissions configurations and IP-based access controls to ensure that only necessary individuals can access highly sensitive content
- A dedicated policy management portal for your HR policies
- E-learning materials to support your health and safety policies and improve employee compliance
Of course, it’s possible to get far more specific than this.
At Claromentis, we build custom intranet apps for customers based in the UK and beyond. Previous examples of our work include:
- An asset management system for a UK-based engineering support services organisation
- A recruitment portal for a large cleaning product supplier in the USA
- A client management system for a big Canadian bank
- An emergency incident reporting and management app for the UK’s National Fire Resilience
Should your UK business opt for a UK intranet provider?
From Sunday roasts to 90s alt-rock bands, there’s no denying that some things are better when they’re British.
But, when it comes to choosing an intranet software, location shouldn’t be the be all and end all. Yes, there are some compelling advantages of choosing a local partner. However, quality, security, features, cost and support should always take precedence in your purchasing decision.
So consider geography as the cherry on the cake, not the cake itself. (Or the gravy on your roast dinner, if you’d like to keep the Britishisms going…)
Claromentis: A local intranet with a global impact
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds – an intranet that packs a punch, backed by a vendor that’s right on your doorstep – Claromentis is the solution for you.
We’re one of only a handful of UK-based intranet providers on the market – though we have hundreds of loyal customers dotted around the globe. As well as being local to your business, here’s what we bring to the table:
- A feature-rich software. Claromentis is a digital workplace solution, comprising four powerful platforms; an intuitive employee intranet; a comprehensive business process automation tool; an engaging learning management system; and a slick project management software.
- On-premise and SaaS deployments. Unlike many of our competitors – in the UK and further afield – we provide flexible deployment options.
- Bespoke customisations. Our development team can work with you to create highly specific applications, e-forms and workflows to further streamline your operations.
- Dedicated customer support. Claromentis is backed by a friendly and knowledgeable customer service team. We provide 24/7 access to an online support portal, kitted out with learning materials, technical guidance, and an always-on ticketing system.
- Tangible results. With consistent 5-star customer ratings and a growing number of G2 badges to our name, we can say with confidence that Claromentis delivers where many intranets don’t.
No matter whether you’re up the street, across the Atlantic, or somewhere down under, our employee intranet will streamline your processes and empower your people to work better together.
To find out more about Claromentis, book a personalised demo with our team today.
