You don't know the Drupal CMS? Let's go over some essential information. Since its version 8 in 2015, Drupal has completely overhauled its core, including the integration of a Symfony component base , to make it a decidedly more modern and robust solution . This evolution has taken it from the status of a simple CMS (Content Management System) to that of a true CMF (Content Management Framework) . More concretely, this means that it is a more flexible solution that can adapt to many needs and contexts , and thus interface with all the components of a modern information system .
It is also important to note that Drupal maintains a high level of security with a very active dedicated team, which covers both the core and nearly 7,000 modules from the Open Source community.
Just by reading this introduction, you have certainly understood that the Drupal CMS is a flexible solution, which adapts to multiple Intranet projects. However, it remains to precisely define its areas of application and predilection. This is what we propose you to do in this article.
In this photo, a Drupal developer is creating an Intranet.
A multiplicity of contexts and typologies?
Before we begin, we would like to remind you of this important principle: there is not one Intranet, but several Intranets . It is essentially a solution that must be adapted to your context and your uses . Here are several fields of application in which we can evaluate Drupal for an Intranet solution .
Communication
Communicating is a classic use of the intranet. This type of Intranet includes document management, event management, press reviews, news, FAQs, the directory, the newsletter, etc.
Drupal can perfectly meet all the needs of this type of Intranet. It will manage the creation of content types (events, press reviews, news, FAQs, etc.).
Directory management can consist of retrieving information from the company's identity and access management directory (LDAP, Active Directory or other). Local solutions, such as the Simplenews module , or third-party solutions, such as Mailchimp , MailJet or Brevo , can be used for the Newsletter part.
The organization
It is a slightly more advanced intranet that includes contact management, e-learning, sales management, project and process management, business methodology, skills mapping, etc.
Drupal can partially meet this type of Intranet depending on the organizational level you want to set up. It would then be wise to entrust it with the "content" part, as well as a middle office role . This allows you to line database make the link to other more specific platforms, which touch on business needs.
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The administration
This type of Intranet is oriented towards the management of service notes, procedures, photo directory, alert/notification management, room management, equipment, expense reports, leave requests, CV management, applications, etc.
Depending on the level of detail expected , Drupal partially meets this type of Intranet. Features such as the photo directory, content alert management, CV management or even the implementation of request forms (especially for leave) can easily be implemented. The same goes for procedures that we can break down into steps. Room and equipment management is possible thanks to specific development .
The Enterprise Social Network
Here, it is an Intranet which allows you to set up a non-structural approach , thus facilitating work between your different collaborators outside of any hierarchical consideration.
These spaces are not limited to document sharing, but also promote experiences and expertise beyond the scope of a specific service . They include features such as knowledge sharing, shared calendars, forums, collaborative spaces, private messaging, chatroom, webex, etc.
Drupal can very well meet this type of demand, either by implementing several contributed or specifically developed modules, or by implementing a specific distribution. We will notably mention the Open Social distribution . This very complete solution is also offered in SaaS.
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Which modules should you install to personalize your Intranet?
For your project to create or redesign your Intranet with the Drupal CMS, do not hesitate to contact us . We will advise you and support you in the success of your project. But in the meantime, here is a list of extensions or modules that can meet your main needs . Among the modules of the core of Drupal, many of them offer essential functionalities, such as content and user management, or the implementation of comments or forums. The Views module will thus allow the implementation of news or calendar feeds. Thanks to taxonomies, you can easily create quick access lists to internal tools, for example.
In addition, the tools offered by the Framework aspect of Drupal contribute to the development of advanced customization of the interface, such as the management of favorites or specific and customizable menus for each user. And its ability to interface with other systems allows, for example, to connect an Intranet with an Electronic Document Management (EDM) system.
SSO login modules
If you have a centralized authentication system (IAM or Identity and Access Management), we recommend using the following modules to take advantage of it:
OpenID Connect allows the use of SSO solutions based on the OpenID Connect protocol such as Azure AD or Keycloack, for example;
SimpleSAMLphp Authentication , a module which allows you to connect your users with the SAML protocol;
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol helps you connect users with LDAP protocol;
CAS , a final module that connects its users with the CAS protocol.
The Group module
With the Group module , you will be able to create collections of content and users , and grant specific permissions to these collections. Natively, Drupal allows a person to view, create or modify the different types of content. By installing the Group module , it will be possible to authorize the viewing or modification, not of all types of content, but only in a specific section of the site. This allows you to create reserved, and private, spaces for internal projects or teams.
