We are thrilled to announce our inclusion in Gartner’s new “Intranet Packaged Solutions” Magic Quadrant (MQ), a significant acknowledgment for Powell Software. This milestone is pivotal for our company, internal teams, customers, and partners.
Powell Software emerges as the Intranet Solution, uniquely enhancing digital transformation efforts through tailor-made, deeply integrated solutions atop Microsoft 365 and SharePoint. Our SaaS intranet enriches the Microsoft ecosystem by amplifying user-friendliness and elevating the employee experience. Powell Intranet presents an economical avenue for enterprises deeply invested in Microsoft 365 to bolster internal communications and amplify employee engagement.
In this article, I will share my perspective on this dynamic market. Gartner’s Magic Quadrant is acknowledged alongside other global expert analyses, such as those from Forrester, IDC, and Clearbox. Powell Software is selected in all these analyses. The new MS forms the foundation of our reflections, further reinforced by comparative studies from all these institutions.
Market Analysis
The intranet and digital workplace market is intricate and constantly evolving. Initially viewed as simple communication portals, these tools have grown to include collaboration, employee engagement, and productivity. Gartner’s introduction of the Magic Quadrant marks a significant shift, indicating the market’s maturity. Over a decade, the landscape has grown to include 60 solutions, with a trend toward mergers and acquisitions. Of these, 15 players, including Powell Software as a Visionary, stand out in the Magic Quadrant as the only one built 100% on Microsoft 365 components such as SPFx and Graph API. Notably, Microsoft with SharePoint and the Viva suite remains a significant absentee.
Corporate Customer Expectations
Corporate expectations vary widely. At Powell Software, we categorize these expectations on a maturity spectrum from 1 to 4. Our focus has been to cater to these stages, enabling clients to develop comprehensive digital workplaces beyond simple intranets or Teams. Currently, most companies are at levels 1 and 2, with level 3 gaining traction and level 4 beginning to emerge. Recognitions like Gartner’s Magic Quadrant and studies by Lecko and Arctus in France highlight the importance of a fully developed and mature digital workplace extending beyond primary communication portals.
Powell Software’s Strategic Embrace of Microsoft Technologies
Our strategic decision to tightly integrate Microsoft 365 technologies and AI services into our core technology is a significant step. Gartner identifies this as a distinct strength for Powell Software while noting potential limitations. However, we view this differently.
Partnering with Microsoft brings significant benefits. It allows us to leverage the world’s most widely adopted technological platform. It ensures our offerings’ robustness, scalability, and security to extend the employee experience while ensuring employee engagement. It gives access to various functionalities, including tools like Microsoft Teams, Power BI, and Power Automate. Additionally, it opens doors to Microsoft’s vast partner ecosystem, crucial for the global deployment of Powell Software solutions across various enterprise sizes.
While Microsoft’s continuous evolution poses a theoretical challenge, Powell Software has adeptly adapted to major announcements like SharePoint’s Modern Experience, Microsoft Viva suite, and recently Microsoft 365 Copilot. These developments have only underscored our determination to innovate and remain competitive in an ever-changing ecosystem, providing time to value to our customers.
Microsoft’s Notable Absence from the Magic Quadrant
Microsoft 365 and SharePoint’s absence from Gartner’s Magic Quadrant may seem surprising, given their widespread use in file sharing, information access, and news portal construction. Viva Connections was introduced to address historical gaps. Among them, they access from mobile via the Teams mobile app.
Microsoft’s apparent absence is due to Gartner’s Critical Capabilities criteria for the Magic Quadrant. SharePoint and Viva don’t fully meet these criteria, particularly in terms of easy intranet management, creation of targeted, accessible content for non-technical contributors, and an optimal mobile experience for field teams.
These gaps in Microsoft’s offerings create unique opportunities for Powell Software. As a native Microsoft 365 solution, we bridge these gaps, providing more intuitive intranet management, simplified content creation, and an enhanced mobile experience.
Vision and Perspectives for the Future
The Intranet and Digital Workplace market, driven by evolving technology and changing work habits, is poised for further transformation. Powell Software is at the forefront, adapting and shaping to these changes. Our vision extends beyond current trends, focusing on AI integration, improved user experience, and deeper Knowledge Management capabilities. The goal is to create Intranet and Digital Workplaces that are efficient, engaging, and empowering for every employee.
Conclusion – A Commitment to Innovation and Excellence
In conclusion, Powell Software’s inclusion in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Intranet Packaged Solutions is a significant milestone. It’s a testimony to our innovative approach and commitment to excellence in the Intranet and digital workplace arena. We are excited about the future, ready to embrace new challenges, and continue providing top-notch solutions that meet the ever-evolving needs of businesses and their employees. Since 2015, our journey has just begun. Powell Software was and continues to be one of the original Intranet Packaged Solutions dedicated to M365 and SharePoint online. Today, we look forward to leading the way in this dynamic market, continuing to align with the customer journey.