Modernizing Rockwell Automation's Intranet to Drive Global Collaboration
Transforming a 15-year-old HTML intranet to achieve a 60% boost in content findability and 40% reduction in support tickets through Office 365 migration and UI/UX overhaul.
The Global Intranet Transformation Challenge
Rockwell Automation, a Fortune 500 industrial automation leader with over 25,000 employees across 80+ countries, faced a challenge common to large global enterprises: a legacy intranet that had become a barrier to collaboration rather than an enabler.
Fragmented Information Architecture
Years of organic growth created disconnected sites with inconsistent navigation. Finding information required knowing which site to search or asking colleagues.
Poor Mobile Experience
The intranet was not mobile-responsive. Field engineers, plant floor workers, and traveling executives had limited access to critical information.
Outdated Design
Visual design reflected SharePoint 2010/2013 aesthetics, feeling dated compared to modern web experiences employees encountered outside work.
Performance Issues
Page load times frustrated users, particularly in remote locations with limited bandwidth.
Search Frustration
Search results were often irrelevant or outdated. Employees wasted time searching or simply gave up, relying on email to find information.
Content Quality Problems
Decentralized publishing with inconsistent governance led to outdated, duplicate, or inaccurate content that undermined trust.
Modern SharePoint and Office 365 Solution
Rather than simply redesigning the existing intranet, we built a strategic digital workplace enabling global collaboration, intelligent search, and mobile-first access.
Information Architecture Redesign
Modern SharePoint Design
Intelligent Search
Collaboration Capabilities
12-Sprint Implementation
sprint = 2 weeks
Discovery and Strategy
- 01Analytics review of existing intranet usage patterns
- 02User interviews across roles, regions, and business units
- 03Content audit identifying high-value vs. outdated content
- 04Stakeholder workshops defining success criteria and priorities
Design and Architecture
- 01Information architecture: site structure, navigation hierarchy, content taxonomy
- 02Visual design: branding, color schemes, typography, and layout templates
- 03User experience: interaction patterns, mobile flows, accessibility
- 04Technical architecture: hub structure, permission model, integration points
Build and Content Migration
- 01Core infrastructure: hub sites, global navigation, and security framework
- 02Reusable page templates and web parts for consistent experience
- 03Selective content migration with quality improvements
- 04Search configuration: custom verticals, result sources, and relevance tuning
Testing and Training
- 01User acceptance testing with representative users
- 02Performance and load testing for global user base
- 03Training videos, documentation, and live sessions
- 04Change champions trained in each business unit
Launch and Optimization
- 01Soft launch with limited user group for feedback
- 02Progressive global rollout by region with monitoring
- 03Feedback collection via surveys, analytics, and support tickets
- 04Bi-weekly updates refining experience based on usage data
Results and Business Impact
Key Success Factors
Executive Sponsorship
Visible leadership support signaled importance and ensured resource commitment.
User-Centered Design
Extensive user research ensured the solution met actual needs rather than assumed requirements.
Change Management
Training, communication, and support enabled smooth transition despite significant change.
Phased Approach
Incremental rollout allowed learning and adjustment before full deployment.
Lessons Learned
Content is harder than technology
Technical migration was straightforward. Content curation, quality improvement, and migration decisions required significant effort and stakeholder alignment.
Governance enables scale
A clear governance framework with roles, workflows, and standards prevented chaos as publishing distributed across the organization.
Mobile cannot be an afterthought
Mobile-first design ensured all capabilities worked well on any device from day one, enabling factory floor and field workers.
Search requires ongoing tuning
Out-of-the-box search is good but achieving excellent results requires custom configuration and ongoing refinement based on usage patterns.
Training needs are high even with intuitive design
Despite intuitive design, comprehensive training was essential for adoption, especially for users accustomed to the legacy system.
“QueryNow's digital workplace transformation revolutionized how our global teams collaborate and share knowledge. The modern intranet became a catalyst for the broader digital transformation our business strategy required.”
Ready to Modernize Your Digital Workplace?
Start with an intranet assessment. We will evaluate your current state, design a modernization strategy, and implement a modern intranet that drives collaboration and productivity.