En+ Online Internal portal
Vladimir Stepanchenko
director of the internet projects department at en+
When working with a contractor, questions always arise about whether the agency will be able to understand the task, embrace our corporate values, and create a product that is both modern and functional.
With Only, those concerns disappeared after just a few initial calls. We got on the same page fairly quickly and created, in my subjective opinion, the best corporate portal. The agency’s staff demonstrated the highest level of expertise, which allowed us to achieve synergy: aesthetics + usability + high conversion rates. As a result of our collaboration, the company received a functional, modern portal that has become an effective corporate communications tool—we can see this both in the metrics and in feedback from employees.
Internal digital portal with key services for employees
Vladimir Stepanchenko
director of the internet projects department at en+
When working with a contractor, questions always arise about whether the agency will be able to understand the task, embrace our corporate values, and create a product that is both modern and functional.
With Only, those concerns disappeared after just a few initial calls. We got on the same page fairly quickly and created, in my subjective opinion, the best corporate portal. The agency’s staff demonstrated the highest level of expertise, which allowed us to achieve synergy: aesthetics + usability + high conversion rates. As a result of our collaboration, the company received a functional, modern portal that has become an effective corporate communications tool—we can see this both in the metrics and in feedback from employees.
En+ is a global leader in low-carbon aluminum production and renewable energy
1. To serve as a channel connecting all company employees; to promptly inform the team about corporate events and news;
2. to engage employees in corporate and social events;
3. to optimize daily work processes.
As part of the project, we completely reimagined the portal: from its structure and logic to the user experience and service integration. Below are the key solutions that formed the basis of the updated product.
Analytics and the hunt for insights
According to the analysis, only 7% of employees used the portal, and the primary use case was limited to accessing third-party HR services (requesting time off, ordering certificates). It was perceived as a mere landing page rather than a space for communication and engagement.
During the analysis phase, we laid the groundwork for the design:
• We examined quantitative metrics;
• We conducted in-depth interviews with employees from key departments;
• conducted extensive benchmarking of similar services.
This data allowed us to integrate best practices into the project and create interfaces that meet the real needs of all users.
Designing a unified system from multiple scenarios
Based on analytics data, we completely redesigned the portal. We designed over 70 prototypes covering all key scenarios: from everyday tasks (viewing news, searching for colleagues) to multi-step processes (requesting vacation and business trips). In addition, we carefully considered the structure and functionality of the interface elements.
A key solution was the integration of external HR services into the portal interface, which eliminated the need for employees to switch to third-party resources. We also simplified navigation and made it more intuitive so that users could find the information and services they needed more quickly.
The result was a cohesive, user-friendly, and intuitive ecosystem.
Home Page: Personalization and Engagement
The portal’s home page is designed like a social network. Its central feature is a personalized news feed that adapts to the employee’s region and interests. Here, users can read articles, like posts, and leave comments—which helps foster dialogue within the team.
The interface’s flexibility is ensured by customizable widgets for various services. Employees can add or hide blocks to create a personalized workspace.
A block of short video stories has been placed on the page for announcements and entertainment content. Another engaging feature is a module that reminds users to wish colleagues a happy birthday and allows them to do so using quick reactions. This simplifies the exchange of well-wishes and strengthens informal bonds within the team.
Vacation Planning Service
Employees can manage their vacation requests through a single interface. All vacation periods are clearly displayed on the calendar—the approval status is easily identifiable by color. Details for each vacation are available in the table. You can submit or reschedule a vacation using the built-in form—the request will automatically be sent to the appropriate manager.
This is how we turned a complex, multi-step procedure into a simple tool: it speeds up the resolution of work-related issues and reduces bureaucracy.
A Unified Calendar of Corporate Events
The calendar consolidates all company and employee events and displays participation status using color-coded indicators. The responsive interface ensures a seamless experience across any device, and the user flow is based on familiar patterns found in popular services.
As a result, the calendar has become a widely used tool that helps employees stay informed about current events and participate more actively in corporate life.
Gamification and the Motivation System
The client’s existing game mechanics (tasks, bonuses, and rankings) are seamlessly integrated into the interface design. The goal of gamification is to encourage engagement and create a positive user experience on the portal. Employees earn points and rewards for tenure, participation in events, training, and other achievements. Achievements are displayed in the personal account and on widgets on the home page, which visualizes progress and highlights the employee’s contributions.
The bonus shop has become a central element of motivation. There, points can be exchanged for merchandise, souvenirs, and other goods, turning virtual activity into real rewards.
Employee social engagement
The “Volunteering” section was originally one of the most visited sections on the portal. We organized the information within it, added important features, and transformed it into a central hub for engaging employees in social projects.
Key elements of the section:
• volunteer rankings filtered by city and time period;
• personal profiles of participants with biographical information and achievements;
• a calendar of upcoming events with the option to register for them;
• a simple application form for newcomers.
As a result, the section has become a hub where employees can draw inspiration from their colleagues’ experiences and track their own contributions. This has strengthened the sense of community and made volunteer activities even more visible and valuable.
Mobile access to the portal
We have carefully designed the mobile version of the portal to ensure that all employees have full access to it. To achieve this, we simplified navigation, optimized content display, and adjusted all elements for a comfortable user experience on a small screen.
Results
We developed a portal that has become an integral part of En+ employees’ workday: here, they complete tasks, communicate with one another, and stay informed about company news
1. The portal combines document management, event registration, news reading, and communication into a single interface. This has simplified daily routines and strengthened the sense of community within the company.
2. Thanks to a fully-featured mobile version, all employees, including production workers, now have full access to the platform’s features.
3. En+ employees gave the portal positive feedback. They highlighted its convenience, modern design, and practical benefits, and began to participate more actively in corporate life.
A feedback form is integrated into the portal’s interface, ensuring the continuous collection of employee suggestions and systematic product development.
Thus, the new En+ portal has become a digital environment for shaping corporate identity. It helps employees feel like part of a unified team and provides the company with a solid foundation for strengthening corporate spirit and achieving strategic goals.
