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Why accuracy, security, and trust matter far more than authorship Artificial intelligence continues to reshape how teams create, collaborate, and communicate — especially as tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and workflow-driven automation become part of everyday work. As adoption grows, many organizations have turned to AI writing detection software as a way to enforce policy and keep work “human.” On the surface, these tools seem like an easy solution. They promise clarity, compliance, and control. But in practice, they often deliver inconsistent results, false positives, and operational friction that leaders don’t expect. At Synergy, we believe it’s important to take a clear, realistic view of what detection tools can do — and just as importantly, where they fall short. 1. False Positives Create Real Operational Consequences AI writing detectors are frequently presented as reliable systems capable of identifying machine-generated text. In reality, they often misinterpret polished, formal, or simply well-structured human writing as AI-authored. In environments where accuracy matters, that instability has consequences. When an employee’s work is incorrectly flagged, the impact can be immediate: unnecessary investigations, uncomfortable performance conversations, delayed client deliverables, and a breakdown of trust between leadership and staff. Instead of encouraging responsible AI use, detection tools can unintentionally introduce tension and confusion. One widely shared example highlights this problem clearly: multiple detection systems flagged the 1776 Declaration of Independence as “99% AI-written.” Not because Jefferson had access to the latest model, of course, but because formal, structured writing follows patterns these tools often misread. If a foundational human document can be confidently mislabeled, everyday employee work stands little chance of being evaluated consistently. 2. Detection Tools Offer a False Sense of Control Many organizations adopt detection software to enforce newly drafted AI use policies. On paper, this seems straightforward: if a tool can detect AI writing, leaders can ensure compliance. But this assumes the detectors are reliable. They’re not. These tools frequently: misclassify high-quality human writing, struggle with translated or paraphrased content, break down when text is collaboratively edited, produce different results from tool to tool, and can be bypassed with minimal effort. Rather than creating clarity, detection tools often give leaders the feeling  of oversight without the actual substance. Governance frameworks built on unreliable enforcement mechanisms can undermine credibility and create uncertainty for employees. Effective policy requires consistency, transparency, and fairness, which are all qualities that detection tools simply don’t deliver. 3. Detection Shifts Organizations Toward Policing Instead of Enabling As companies adopt AI, the goal should be to empower employees to use it responsibly, safely, and effectively. Detection software pushes organizations in the opposite  direction by centering policy around “catching” improper usage. This shift introduces predictable challenges: Innovation slows. Experimentation becomes risky. AI is treated as a threat instead of a capability. Employees start hiding AI usage instead of discussing it openly. At Synergy, we’ve seen AI succeed when employees understand the guardrails and trust leadership’s intentions. Detection tools – with their false positives and punitive framing – can erode both. Turning AI adoption into a policing  exercise rarely reduces risk; it just makes usage quieter and less transparent. 4. What the Declaration Example Actually Reveals The misclassification of the Declaration of Independence has become an amusing talking point online, but it reflects a deeper issue, too. Detection systems don’t understand meaning, context, or history. They’re pattern-matchers, nothing more. This poses an issue because many  forms of human writing, especially in business, are highly patterned: reports, proposals, policy documents, technical guidance, and legal language all follow consistent structures and rhythms. That means the materials your teams produce every day are exactly the kinds of content most likely to trigger false positives. If detection tools can’t classify a historically fixed document correctly, there’s no reason to expect reliable performance in ambiguous, real-world scenarios. 5. What Organizations Should Do Instead Forward-thinking organizations are moving away from detection tools and toward AI governance frameworks that emphasize safety, transparency, and real operational value. At Synergy, we help teams adopt practical approaches that actually support responsible AI use. Strong governance models focus on: Prioritizing output quality over authorship Whether AI contributed matters far less than whether the final product is accurate, secure, and suitable. Using secure, private, tenant-contained AI environments Microsoft’s AI ecosystem — Azure OpenAI, M365 Copilot, SharePoint integrations, and related services — provides built-in visibility and safeguards detection tools simply cannot match. Creating clear, employee-friendly acceptable-use policies Clear expectations reduce misuse far more effectively than reactive enforcement. Adding human review to high-risk or customer-facing work Critical content should be reviewed regardless of whether AI assisted in creating it. Investing in AI literacy and training Educated, confident employees make better decisions — and represent the strongest form of risk mitigation available. A Better Path Forward At Synergy, we believe AI-assisted work is not only acceptable but often beneficial, as long as it takes place within a secure, private, well-governed environment. The goal isn’t to prevent AI usage. It’s to ensure that when AI is used, it produces accurate, safe, high-quality outcomes. Detection tools promise certainty, but they’re unpredictable at best. When a system confidently misclassifies a cornerstone historical document, it becomes clear that it isn’t dependable enough to anchor corporate AI governance. Responsible AI adoption isn’t about catching usage. It’s about building trust, strengthening processes, securing the environment, and enabling teams to work smarter. For leaders looking to create governance models that actually work in real-world environments, we’re here to help. Learn more about Synergy’s AI services here.

For many organizations, digital transformation sounds like an ambitious leap — an overhaul of systems, workflows, and culture all at once. In reality, the most successful transformations unfold through careful planning, strategic upgrades, and a commitment to helping people work smarter, not harder. At its core, digital transformation is about modernization with intent, with the goal of aligning technology and process improvements to actual business needs. It’s not about chasing every flashy new trend or replacing tools that already work. Digital transformation is about understanding how your organization operates today, what’s slowing it down, and how technology can make it more resilient, efficient, and connected. Step One : Assess What Actually Needs to Change Digital transformation begins with an honest look at what’s working and what’s holding you back . This first phase, assessment, often reveals that the problem isn’t a lack of technology, but a misalignment between tools and processes. An effective assessment goes beyond just listing outdated hardware or software: it considers how people interact with systems day to day, where data gets bottlenecked, and what processes cause frustration or waste time. At Synergy, we pride ourselves on our discovery process that thoroughly maps out the plan by working alongside you. These transformation assessments typically involve: Reviewing current infrastructure performance and scalability Mapping workflows to identify inefficiencies or redundancies Evaluating collaboration tools and security practices Aligning all findings with your long-term business goals This approach ensures modernization happens where it matters most — improving reliability for your business, not introducing unnecessary complexity. Step Two : Modernize Core Infrastructure Modernization often starts behind the scenes. Outdated servers, legacy networks, and on-premises limitations are some of the biggest barriers to efficiency, along with the fear of an expensive mass-replacement strategy. The challenge for most organizations is a two-parter: 1, determining what critical infrastructure needs updating, and 2, figuring out how to do that without halting business operations. That’s where a phased approach makes all the difference. Instead of replacing everything at once, which can be both expensive and massively disruptive, modernization should focus on foundational improvements that deliver immediate stability and long-term scalability. Examples include: Moving key workloads to hybrid or cloud environments for improved access and resilience Implementing encryption and system hardening to reduce cybersecurity risks Implementing stronger backup and recovery protocols Enhancing network performance for collaboration and remote work Through infrastructure modernization services  and managed IT services, Synergy helps businesses strengthen these core systems while minimizing downtime. The goal isn’t to reinvent — it’s to build a future-ready foundation that supports growth. Step Three : Streamline Workflows and Automate Intelligently Once your foundation is solid, the focus shifts to how work gets done. Many organizations rely on manual or outdated processes that create unnecessary friction, whether that’s a shared spreadsheet passed between departments, an email-based approval system, or paper trails that slow response times. Automation addresses these inefficiencies directly. However, it’s important to approach automation carefully. The goal isn’t to automate processes just for the sake of it — it’s to make workflows consistent, trackable, and more reliable. Using platforms like Microsoft Power Automate and WEBCON, Synergy helps organizations implement process automation  that enhances productivity without overwhelming teams. For example: Automating ticket routing in IT support Streamlining HR onboarding with approval workflows Generating reports automatically from Microsoft Teams or SharePoint data When applied thoughtfully, automation creates a ripple effect: fewer delays, fewer errors, and more time for employees to focus on strategic work. Technology works best when it empowers people. Synergy builds transformation strategies that balance innovation with real-world adoption. Contact us today to learn more about our Digital Transformation Services → Step Four : Empower Employees Through Adoption Transformation doesn’t succeed because of the technology alone — in fact, for as essential as the technology component of digital transformation may sound, it really is only half of the battle. Digital transformation’s success is just as much from people being empowered to use that technology effectively. Even the most advanced platforms can fail if employees don’t understand their purpose or feel supported through the change. Employee enablement starts early. Involving staff during planning helps reduce resistance and creates a sense of shared ownership. From there, communication and training become key: Communicate the “why”  behind every change. What’s improving for users? Pilot new systems  with small teams to gather real feedback. Provide on-demand learning resources  through intranets and digital workspaces. Synergy supports adoption through intranet development services and modern digital workplaces that make collaboration, announcements, and process guidance accessible to everyone. When employees are equipped to succeed, transformation becomes sustainable in the long term — not just a one-time project. Step Five : Build for Resilience and Continuity True transformation extends beyond the launch of new tools. It’s about long-term resilience, ensuring that your organization can continue to operate efficiently and securely even when circumstances change. A resilient digital ecosystem integrates continuity planning and security from the start. Regular system reviews, backup validation, and proactive monitoring help maintain uptime and data protection. Synergy’s business continuity services  help ensure that every modernization effort strengthens, rather than complicates, your operations. The best transformations make businesses not only faster and more connected but also more adaptable when challenges arise. In Practice: What Successful Modernization Looks Like One client of ours, a leading firm in data and analytics, was struggling with an unstable intranet built on a platform that lagged behind Microsoft updates, causing frequent internal errors and disrupting user trust. Their design was outdated, flexibility was limited, and internal teams couldn’t self-manage content easily. Synergy partnered with them to rearchitect their digital workplace, focusing on stability, branding consistency, and user empowerment. The modernization effort included: Designing multiple custom SharePoint templates that matched the client’s new public website branding Eliminating technical issues by moving off a legacy intranet that didn’t integrate properly with Microsoft 365 Enabling business teams to manage content independently through governance and training What changed: The intranet became more stable and reliable, meaning fewer errors and less maintenance overhead, Content updates and collaboration improved, as teams no longer had to rely on IT for basic changes, and System alignment and consistency boosted employee confidence and engagement. That’s transformation in practice: upgrading infrastructure, aligning design and workflows, and enabling ownership — all while keeping everyday operations running. Moving Forward: Transformation Without Turbulence Modernization doesn’t need to be disruptive to be effective. The most successful transformations are those that balance innovation with stability — evolving technology and culture together, one deliberate improvement at a time. For organizations ready to take the next step, the path forward begins with clarity: Identify what’s slowing you down. Prioritize solutions that deliver measurable value. Empower your people to adapt and thrive. Digital transformation isn’t about reinventing your business — it’s about refining it. The right plan keeps you modern, competitive, and connected while minimizing risk along the way. See how Synergy helps organizations modernize with confidence. Explore our Digital Transformation Services →

For many organizations, Microsoft SharePoint  serves as the backbone of their intranet. It’s secure, flexible, and perhaps most conveniently, already embedded into Microsoft 365, making it an obvious choice for tasks like document management, collaboration, and internal communication. But as intranet expectations rise, many teams discover the same truth: SharePoint provides the foundation, not necessarily the finished experience. Creating an intranet that feels intuitive, cohesive, and engaging often requires more than out-of-the-box capabilities. That’s where third-party intranet layers, such as Powell , can transform the experience when used strategically. SharePoint’s Native Strengths There’s a reason SharePoint has become the default intranet platform for so many organizations. It handles core intranet needs extremely well, and it does so within the same ecosystem teams already use every day. Some of its strongest advantages include: Centralized content and collaboration , bringing documents, lists, discussions, and team spaces into a governed environment, Security and compliance controls  that scale across the organization with confidence, Integration with Microsoft 365 tools , especially Teams and OneDrive, which helps keep daily work connected, and Templates for communication and team sites , giving businesses a practical starting point for structuring their intranet. Together, these strengths create a stable, capable foundation. But infrastructure alone doesn’t guarantee an intranet that employees enjoy using. Understanding SharePoint’s Limitations SharePoint’s flexibility is one of its biggest advantages — however, it is also  one of its biggest challenges. Configuring an intranet that looks polished, functions intuitively, and follows a consistent structure often requires specialized SharePoint or Power Platform expertise. On top of that, the default interface can also  feel overly neutral or utilitarian. Without intentional design, intranets may appear sterile or disconnected, which makes it harder for employees to see them as a go-to information hub. Over time, content sprawl can take over. With each new site, page, or document library, consistency becomes harder to manage. Navigation becomes less predictable. Governance requires more oversight than many teams plan for. Layer in Microsoft’s sometimes confusing licensing and entitlement model, and it becomes difficult to determine which capabilities are available, which require an upgrade, and which demand custom development. When the experience feels fragmented, employees typically bypass the intranet entirely in favor of email, Teams chats, or shared drives. That doesn’t mean SharePoint isn’t effective: it simply means it may work better as a platform to build on for your organization, not a turnkey solution on its own. How to Know You’re Ready for a Third-Party Intranet Layer Not every organization needs a third-party intranet solution right away. Many teams get plenty of value from SharePoint in its default configurations, especially early on in their intranet journey. But as organizations grow, or as expectations for communication and engagement evolve, certain signs emerge that indicate the intranet is starting to outgrow what SharePoint alone can do. You may be ready for an enhancement layer if you’re noticing issues such as: Inconsistent navigation or page structures  that confuse users Content sprawl  that becomes harder to track, organize, or retire Declining intranet engagement , with employees defaulting to Teams or email Department-specific workarounds , leading to fragmented or duplicated experiences Demand for features SharePoint doesn’t natively offer , like personalization, enhanced analytics, or social engagement tools Slow or bottlenecked site creation , especially when only a small group of SharePoint experts can publish updates These aren’t signs of failure — they’re signs of maturity . They reflect a growing organization whose needs have expanded beyond what their default SharePoint environment was designed to handle. Recognizing these signals early helps organizations move from a reactive model (“Why isn’t our intranet working?”) to a proactive one (“What’s the right next layer to support us?”). For many teams, that next step is layering on a solution that brings clarity, structure, and user-friendliness to the SharePoint foundation. Need help clarifying where your SharePoint intranet stands? Synergy helps organizations assess their current SharePoint environment and identify the right path forward — whether that means optimizing what you already have or planning for a more scalable, hybrid model. Reach out to our team to start a conversation about your intranet goals . When to Layer on a Third-Party Intranet Solution This is where platforms like Powell add meaningful value. They don’t replace SharePoint: instead, they extend it in ways that make the intranet easier to design, easier to govern, and most importantly for your employees, easier to use. Organizations typically look to third-party layers when they want to do things like: Simplify page creation and design , using reusable components that reduce reliance on custom development, Enhance governance and consistency , ensuring that sites follow branding and structure guidelines regardless of who creates them, and Boost engagement  with features like personalization, social tools, and analytics that guide better content decisions. These enhancements reduce friction for both administrators and content creators. Plus, because platforms like Powell remain fully inside the Microsoft 365 tenant, organizations benefit from a strengthened intranet experience without introducing external hosting or security concerns. The end result is an intranet that feels more intuitive, more consistent, and more aligned with what your users expect. Examples of Hybrid Approaches That Deliver Long-Term Value The most successful intranet strategies tend to be hybrid, combining SharePoint’s stability with enhancements that bring the experience to life. It doesn’t matter the size of your business: building on top of your existing SharePoint instance can be for any organization that needs it. A mid-sized organization  may begin with SharePoint for core document management and team collaboration, then add Powell to streamline navigation and improve mobile usability. A global firm  might keep SharePoint as the secure system of record while relying on a third-party intranet layer for multilingual communication, employee recognition, or other more intuitive content discovery. A growing company  could launch with a handful of SharePoint communication sites, then introduce analytics and structured templates once content creators start struggling with consistency or engagement. The common pattern is simple, regardless of size. Start with SharePoint, then layer strategically as needs evolve. Final Thoughts SharePoint remains one of the most powerful and trusted intranet platforms available today. Business leaders often need to transform that power into a truly engaging experience, and that  requires thoughtful design, consistent governance, and tools that support how employees actually work . Layering on a third-party intranet solution helps bridge the gap between infrastructure and usability. By extending SharePoint with features that simplify creation, improve navigation, and support ongoing engagement, organizations can deliver an intranet that feels modern, intuitive, and genuinely helpful. The most effective digital workplaces combine the reliability of SharePoint with enhancements that make the intranet feel connected, clear, and built around people, not just technology. Whether you’re refining an early-stage SharePoint environment or ready to explore a more mature, hybrid intranet model, Synergy can help you navigate the path forward. Our team supports organizations in clarifying their needs, shaping effective governance, and identifying the right enhancements to make SharePoint work the way your people work. With a practical, user-centered approach, we help clients build intranets that evolve with their business and finally deliver the clarity, consistency, and connection employees expect. If you’re planning an intranet upgrade this year, let’s talk . Synergy helps teams build SharePoint solutions that are easier to use, for you and your team.

Enhance your business performance with Synergy’s expert SharePoint Migration services. We help organizations seamlessly transition from legacy systems or outdated SharePoint environments to modern, cloud-based SharePoint Online. Our end-to-end approach ensures secure data migration, minimal disruption, and improved collaboration—enabling your teams to fully leverage Microsoft 365 and future-ready infrastructure. SharePoint migration Services Book my Readiness Review Support Ends July 14, 2026 — Plan Your Upgrade Now Microsoft is ending support for SharePoint 2016 and 2019 — including security updates, bug fixes, and technical assistance. Once that date passes, there’s no safety net. If your organization still runs these versions, it’s time to prepare your next move. Synergy has been modernizing SharePoint environments for over two decades, helping teams move confidently to the cloud, on-premises, or hybrid models. SharePoint 2016 & 2019 End-of-Life Understand your risks and timelines Evaluate upgrade options (Online vs On-Premises) Identify Workflow Dependencies Build a practical, cost-effective migration plan SharePoint Migration Readiness Review Let’s Build Your SharePoint Upgrade Plan — Before the Clock Runs Out July 2026 may sound far away, but transformation takes time. Planning now gives you control over your timeline and budget — waiting limits your options. Schedule Now Need both? We’ll design a hybrid model that connects your on-prem environment with cloud collaboration tools for the best of both worlds. SharePoint Online (Cloud) Always up to date — no patching or version jumps. Works seamlessly with Teams, OneDrive, and Power Platform. Simplifies IT operations and reduces overhead. Built-in scalability and modern security controls. Microsoft’s latest supported on-prem release. Direct upgrade path from 2016/2019 environments. Long-term stability with incremental updates. Full control over infrastructure and data. SharePoint Subscription Edition (On-Premises) Every organization’s journey looks different — and your upgrade should reflect your infrastructure, compliance, and collaboration needs. Hybrid environments Upgrade Paths That Fit Your Business How Synergy Makes Migration Simple Our process minimizes disruption and ensures a smooth transition from planning to adoption. Pre-Migration Health Check – Identify issues, clean up data, and map the right path forward. Migration Execution – Move securely with automation tools and governance best practices. Workflow Modernization – Replace legacy workflows with modern, supported automation. Post-Migration Support & Training – Drive user adoption and long-term success. With over 200 successful SharePoint migrations, Synergy combines automation, governance, and deep Microsoft expertise to deliver results you can trust. No security patches New threats go unaddressed No Microsoft support Troubleshooting falls entirely on your team. No Microsoft support Compliance risks Unsupported systems can fail audits Rising costs Maintaining legacy servers quickly adds up Planning early reduces risk, preserves uptime, and gives your team flexibility. Why Act Now When support ends, your SharePoint environment won’t just be outdated — it’ll be vulnerable. The Results You Can Expect Modernize Workflows Before Support Ends Your workflows are just as important as your content. Support for SharePoint 2010 and 2013 workflows also ends on July 14, 2026, which affects many solutions built with SharePoint Designer, Nintex, or custom scripts. We’ll help you move to modern automation platforms like Power Automate, Nintex Cloud, or WEBCON — maintaining reliability, visibility, and compliance along the way.

Explore Synergy's comprehensive sitemap to navigate our digital transformation services, including AI consulting, intranet solutions, custom applications, process automation, IT support, and security services. Discover detailed information about our offerings, team, case studies, and insights to help your business thrive in the digital age. Sitemap Privacy Policy Terms Managed Services Blog Fixed fee managed it support IT Managed Services Service Desk Infrastructure Upgrades Infrastructure Management fixed fee project work cybersecurity & business continuity Security Awareness Training Cybersecurity Remediation microsoft 365 & intranet services Intranet Services SharePoint Migration Microsoft Copilot for M365 Powell Intranet SharePoint Consulting Power Platform SharePoint Online SharePoint & Microsoft 365 Solutions custom development Custom Application & Development Integration Solutions Power Platforms Use Cases Automation Process Automation Recommended Platforms Real World Examples WEBCON Blog resources Case Studies Discovery Process Get Support FAQ Available Courses Managed IT Service Provider - Fairfield County other services Social Media Marketing Instructor Led Training Website Insights & Engagement Website Design & Development Paid Search Home Partners Locations Meet the Team COMpany About Us Our Approach Leadership Careers AI Thought Leadership AI Driven SharePoint Agents ai services AI Strategy Consulting AI Discovery Microsoft Copilot Integration

Synergy is a premier digital transformation company offering IT business consulting services to help businesses innovate, streamline operations, and drive digital growth. in the business of making your business better. OUR SERVICES Contact Us DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SERVICES At Synergy, we pride ourselves on being a digital transformation company that helps keep your business modernized and efficient. We offer IT business consulting services, including Intranet Services to enhance internal communication, AI Adoption and Consulting to integrate advanced technologies, and Process Automation to streamline operations. Our team is here to support your business at every stage of your journey. Explore how Synergy can be a guide and resource for your business. More Info AI Services Unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence with Synergy's AI Services. Our team specializes in integrating AI-driven solutions to optimize processes, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation. Partner with us to transform your vision into reality using AI technologies. More Info intranet Services Enhance collaboration and streamline information access with Synergy's Intranet Services, backed by our IT business consulting services. We design personalized intranet solutions that reflect your brand and culture, fostering a cohesive and engaged workplace. Transform your internal communications and collaboration into a dynamic and engaging experience. More Info custom solutions Tailor-made to meet your business needs, Synergy's Custom Solutions offer innovative tools that streamline operations and enhance user experiences. Our expert team designs and develops solutions that drive operational efficient and align with your business requirements. More Info process automation Achieve operational efficiency by automating routine tasks with Synergy's Process Automation Services. Our expertise in business process management and automation tools enables you to reduce costs, eliminate human error, and enhance productivity. Streamline your operations and focus on efficiency. More Info it support & projects Depend on Synergy's managed services, supported by our IT business consulting services, to alleviate the stress of supporting your IT systems. We provide a fixed-fee approach to our services, working closely with you to ensure all your technology and support needs are met efficiently and effectively. More Info security & business continuity Protect your business and be prepared with Synergy's Security and Continuity Services. We offer robust cybersecurity remediation measures and business continuity solutions to help educate your team and safeguard your operations against disruptions. More Info "Synergy are my go-to IT guys. I’ve worked with them as CFO of four different companies over the past fifteen years. I know that when I’m new in a role & I need IT support, I can rely on them to make the same positive impression that I want to make myself". Mark Pritchard, Harmar