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ChatGPT-5 is now the default for all ChatGPT users. If you’ve been using the platform casually or strategically with GPT-4, pay attention — the way you work with AI has just fundamentally changed.   This isn’t a minor refresh. GPT-5 represents a leap forward in speed, reasoning depth, and adaptability. If GPT-4 felt like a powerful assistant who could follow your lead, GPT-5 feels more like a seasoned colleague — one who can anticipate needs, connect dots across conversations, and adapt instantly to changes in direction. For executives, that’s more than a convenience — it’s a competitive advantage.   The real story here isn’t simply “new version, better model.” It’s that GPT-5 eliminates many of the pain points executives encountered before: it retains context more reliably, juggles multiple projects without blending them, reasons through complex scenarios with greater nuance, and incorporates live information into messaging without breaking stride.   In short: if GPT-4 helped leaders  work faster , GPT-5 helps them  think smarter  — and now that it’s the standard for everyone, the executives who learn to leverage it first will have the edge. 1. Mastering a Consistent Executive Voice Across Channels   Your voice is one of your most valuable leadership tools. Whether addressing employees, customers, or stakeholders, the tone you set influences trust, alignment, and engagement. GPT-5’s improved style-matching capabilities mean you can preserve that voice effortlessly across a wide range of communications.   Why it matters for executives: Consistency builds credibility. In an environment where you may have multiple teams drafting content on your behalf, GPT-5 can serve as the central “tone keeper,” ensuring that no matter the audience or format, your message always sounds authentically you. Practical uses: Drafting a quarterly shareholder letter and matching it in tone with a company-wide employee announcement. Converting detailed technical updates into a clear, accessible narrative for non-technical audiences. Producing social media posts that reinforce executive positioning without sounding “corporate canned.” 2. Streamlining Strategic Content Creation   Executives are expected to produce high-value content quickly — from thought-leadership blogs to investor presentations. Gathering research, aligning it with company case studies, and presenting it as a cohesive narrative can be resource-intensive. GPT-5’s larger working memory and synthesis abilities allow you to move from idea to finished draft in a fraction of the time.   Why it matters for executives: Every hour spent manually pulling data is an hour taken from strategic priorities. By letting GPT-5 handle the heavy lifting of initial drafts, you can focus on refining insights and shaping the bigger picture. Practical uses: Creating thought-leadership articles from a blend of internal reports, industry data, and competitive analysis. Producing tailored investor decks that merge financial performance with market positioning. Developing onboarding materials that reflect both company history and current strategy. 3. Accelerating Decision-Making With Scenario Testing   Leadership decisions carry ripple effects. Before committing to a path, executives benefit from exploring how different stakeholders, competitors, or markets might respond. GPT-5 is notably better at simulating these “what if” situations and challenging underlying assumptions.   Why it matters for executives: Being able to model scenarios quickly means you can evaluate more possibilities before making a decision — without slowing the pace of action. Practical uses: Running “devil’s advocate” analyses to pressure-test strategy. Predicting competitor reactions to a market move or product launch. Modeling the operational, financial, and cultural impacts of a merger or acquisition. 4. Managing Multiple Initiatives in Parallel Without Losing Continuity   A typical executive day can involve bouncing between a policy rewrite, a marketing campaign review, and a keynote speech draft — all before lunch. GPT-5 can keep these threads separate, preserving the context, tone, and goals of each without requiring you to start from scratch every time you switch focus.   Why it matters for executives: Frequent context-switching is a known productivity killer. GPT-5 reduces the cognitive cost by holding project-specific context ready for when you return. Practical uses: Working on an HR policy update in the morning, then seamlessly returning to a half-finished industry op-ed later in the day . Maintaining distinct brand voices for different product lines or subsidiaries. Tracking communications for multiple stakeholder groups without cross-contamination. 5. Integrating Live Data Into Strategic Messaging   Business moves fast — and so does the information that shapes it. GPT-5 can incorporate live data from the web into your content, making sure your messaging reflects the most current trends, numbers, or regulatory shifts.   Why it matters for executives: Timely, accurate data strengthens your credibility and positions you as a leader who is both informed and agile. Practical uses: Updating a press release with fresh industry statistics before publication. Incorporating newly released competitor financials into an investor call script. Aligning customer communications with breaking news in your sector. 6. Building AI Into Executive Routines for Maximum Impact   The leaders who will get the most from GPT-5 aren’t those who use it occasionally — they’re the ones who integrate it into their daily decision-making and communications processes.   Five practical adoption steps: Identify high-value repetitive tasks. GPT-5 can handle 80% of (e.g., first drafts, summaries, scenario outlines). Develop an “executive style guide”  so GPT-5 consistently matches your tone and preferences. Set aside 10 minutes daily  for AI-powered “strategic sparring” — testing ideas, refining messages, or exploring risks. Use GPT-5 for pre-meeting prep  to review background material and propose talking points. Audit AI outputs regularly  to maintain quality, accuracy, and alignment with your standards. The Executive Edge   GPT-5 isn’t here to replace executive thinking — it’s here to amplify it. By handling the heavy lifting of research, drafting, and scenario testing, it frees leaders to focus on the high-value activities only they can do: setting vision, building relationships, and driving growth.   In a world where speed, clarity, and adaptability define success, GPT-5 offers executives a way to move faster, think deeper, and communicate more effectively — without sacrificing authenticity. The leaders who embrace it now won’t just keep pace with change; they’ll help define it.

Improving Eldercare Through Smarter Collaboration: Arcadia’s Digital Transformation with SYNERGY Arcadia has been Hawaii's premier retirement residence since 1967. OVERVIEW: Arcadia has been Hawaii’s premier retirement residence and one of the finest in the nation since 1967. Residents enjoy panoramic mountain, ocean and Diamond Head views, plus unparalleled access to all of Honolulu's social, cultural, educational and entertainment facilities. Arcadia offers a gracious, compassionate and dynamic environment, with a continuum of assured lifetime care with a staff that works diligently to satisfy the physical, social and spiritual needs of every resident. Goals / Challenges: Arcadia Retirement Residence, a not-for-profit network of seven eldercare organizations across the island of Oahu, faced growing challenges in connecting both staff and residents across its multiple locations. With nearly 400 employees needing centralized access to client-care information—and residents expressing a desire to connect with peers—Arcadia required an intranet solution that could: Enable Secure Collaboration:  Provide a reliable, centralized platform for staff across departments and locations to access and share vital documents. Connect Residents Digitally:  Create a user-friendly, interactive space where residents could stay informed and find others with shared interests. Minimize Staff Overhead:  Eliminate the need for manual updates by automating the population of searchable resident data. Support Future Scalability:  Build a solution on a secure, flexible infrastructure that could evolve with organizational needs. Solution/Approach: Synergy partnered closely with Arcadia’s leadership and staff to understand the needs of both employees and residents. Through detailed discovery workshops, it became clear that two distinct but interconnected digital experiences were needed: a secure Employee Portal  and a resident-facing Resident Portal . To support this, Synergy deployed a Microsoft SharePoint solution hosted on Hyper-V servers, segmented into multiple web applications tailored for: Central Administration My Sites Employee Portal Resident Portal The Employee Portal  featured a clear, department-driven taxonomy, helping staff easily find documents relevant to their roles. For residents, the Resident Portal  offered accessible content like announcements, social calendars, and resident directories. A key innovation involved integrating SharePoint’s Business Connectivity Services (BCS) with Arcadia’s existing medical records system—automating resident directory updates and enabling secure, searchable profiles. “ Arcadia needed a robust, future-ready IT environment, and we were thrilled to create one that fostered innovation and growth. Helping their team leverage technology more effectively remains one of our proudest achievements." – Murray Campbell, Consulting Manager , Synergy The Results: With the SharePoint portal in place, ACS staff now work in a collaborative environment which means less time is spent duplicating information. Additionally, they can more easily find the information that matters to them. These improvements have resulted in significant time savings on a day-to-day basis. Residents now have easy access to current information regarding social events and other items of interest happening at the Residence. They also have a means to locate fellow-residents through a simple search interface that allows them to search on a variety of familiar parameters such as name, facility or apartment number. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Eldercare USA SharePoint Consulting Training SharePoint Microsoft 365 Ready to Elevate Collaboration and Community at Your Organization? Whether you're in eldercare, healthcare, or any industry where connection and collaboration matter—Synergy can help you create secure, intuitive digital experiences for both staff and those you serve. Let's build something transformative together.

Oakley Unifies Global Communication with a Bold, Brand-Driven Intranet with Synergy Oakley wanted a ‘destination’ to share internal communications and build community. OVERVIEW: Oakley had a vision for their employee portal. They needed a partner who shared it. SYNERGY created something new and unique just like Oakley. A ‘destination’ that lets any of Oakley’s 6,000+ employees around the world share knowledge and stories within the Oakley family all whilst combining a high level of design and functionality, staying true to the original vision. Goals / Challenges: Oakley, a global leader in performance eyewear and apparel, needed to unify internal communications for its fast-growing workforce of over 5,000 employees. Their existing tools—an outdated newsletter and disjointed forums—weren’t keeping pace with the company’s culture or communication needs. Led by Scott Cobbett, Oakley’s internal communications team set out to create a modern platform that was as bold and dynamic as the brand itself. Key goals included: Designing a digital “destination” that reflected Oakley’s unique blend of style and function Building a socially enabled platform that resonated with an active, mobile workforce Delivering an intuitive, out-of-the-box user experience that encouraged engagement Solution/Approach: The result was The Engine Room —a bold, custom SharePoint-based intranet designed to reflect Oakley’s distinct culture of performance and style. Built through a focused discovery process and close collaboration with internal stakeholders, the platform delivered both function and brand immersion. Key priorities included: A highly branded , intuitive user experience aligned with Oakley’s identity Mobile-friendly access  for global and event-based teams Integrated social features  like activity feeds, personal profiles, and peer recognition A strong emphasis on UI/UX  to drive usability and engagement The Engine Room  became a centralized, connected space where employees could stay informed, inspired, and aligned—no matter where they worked. “Synergy delivered exactly what we needed—something that was uniquely Oakley. They spoke our language, understood our culture, and built a platform that’s not just functional, but truly one-of-a-kind. From the start, they were multilingual—speaking both IT and our vision for design. The result? A SharePoint site that feels nothing like SharePoint. It’s everything we imagined and more. —Scott Cobbett, Corporate Communications, Oakley The Results: The "Engine Room" went live in time for Oakley’s global sales meeting, where it was introduced to 3,000 employees. THE IMPACT: Increased employee engagement, with real-time content sharing from field staff and global teams. A central, easy-to-navigate platform that replaced disjointed communication tools. Oakley’s unique culture was reflected throughout the design, from military-themed videos to customizable profiles and recognition badges. Oakley continues to collaborate with Synergy to expand and enhance "The Engine Room" with additional features and new site rollouts. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Eyewear / Athletic Gear USA Implementation Services Custom Intranet Development SharePoint Windows Server Hyper-V Ready to Reimagine Your Intranet? At Synergy, we help forward-thinking firms modernize their digital workplaces using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Powell 365. Whether you're working with outdated tools or just need a more intuitive experience, we’ll help you build the foundation for smarter collaboration.

How Synergy Used Sharegate to Seamlessly Migrate 1,400 Workflows for a Global Manufacturer Moving 1400 Workflows Using Sharegate OVERVIEW: When a UK-based advanced technology manufacturer needed to migrate from SharePoint 2007 to 2013, the challenge was daunting: 1,400 complex Nintex workflows, millions of rows of workflow data, and mission-critical systems that couldn’t afford downtime. Traditional migration tools would have required rewriting workflows manually, at enormous cost and time. To overcome these obstacles, Synergy partnered with Sharegate—a powerful migration tool with built-in support for Nintex. The result was a dramatically faster, cleaner migration completed with minimal disruption and at a fraction of the projected cost. This case study illustrates how strategic technology choices and responsive vendor collaboration can turn a high-risk migration into a high-impact success. Goals / Challenges: A UK-based manufacturer of advanced-technology equipment needed to migrate from SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint 2013  as part of a mission-critical infrastructure upgrade. SharePoint, paired with Nintex Workflow , supported key information flows across their business—meaning downtime was not an option . However, the migration was anything but simple. The environment included: 1,400 complex Nintex workflows —many with high business impact A Nintex workflow progress table with 28 million rows A requirement to preserve metadata and avoid costly redevelopment Time and budget pressures that made traditional tools unfeasible The cost of manually rewriting workflows was projected to reach tens of thousands of dollars per workflow , and the migration could have taken nearly a year using standard tools. Solution/Approach: Synergy turned to Sharegate , a trusted SharePoint and Nintex migration tool known for its deep integration with Nintex . Sharegate’s capabilities allowed Synergy to significantly reduce the amount of custom development and manual intervention typically required during complex workflow migrations. What made this partnership stand out was Sharegate’s responsiveness and support . When the client's unique environment posed challenges—such as the massive workflow database—Sharegate's team didn’t hesitate. They worked directly with Synergy’s engineers to modify the product in real time , creating a custom tool in just 10 days  that resolved all outstanding migration issues. “In 25 years of consulting, Sharegate is the only company I’ve seen that modified its product mid-project to support our specific needs. And they did it fast.” — Jason Blair , Senior Solutions Consultant, Synergy The Results: The results far exceeded expectations—on both timeline and cost. Total migration time:  5.5 months (including planning/testing) Actual migration time:   7 days , completed over a long holiday weekend Critical workflows live on Monday morning , with 85% of all workflows fully operational Remaining workflows migrated within 3 additional days 66% cost savings  compared to traditional migration approaches Thanks to Sharegate’s toolset and support, Synergy delivered a fast, clean migration that kept business running, preserved workflows, and met every critical milestone. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Manufacturing Company United Kingdom Data Migration Nintex Ready to Migrate Smarter? At Synergy, we help enterprises migrate complex SharePoint and workflow environments with minimal risk and maximum ROI. Whether you're moving away from an unsupported version or scaling to support new business needs, we’ll help you do it faster—with fewer headaches.

Automating CUI Compliance with NC Protect and Synergy From pre-production planning and budgeting to installation and maintenance, Hudson Scenic Studio provides a full range of services to bring any stage project to life. OVERVIEW: A global manufacturer in the defense supply chain needed to meet increasingly complex compliance regulations around Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Managing CUI across multiple offices in the U.S., U.K., and Australia—while ensuring compliance with frameworks like CMMC, ITAR, and NIST—was becoming unmanageable through manual processes. To address this, they partnered with Synergy Corporate Technologies to implement NC Protect , streamlining classification, access controls, and data protection within their SharePoint environment. Goals / Challenges: The manufacturer needed to automate CUI management in SharePoint to meet strict government mandates and avoid severe financial and criminal penalties. Key goals included: Automate classification and protection of CUI in SharePoint Enforce document access based on classification level, user identity, and location Eliminate manual handling and reduce risk of human error Provide dynamic, policy-based controls for compliance with ITAR, CMMC, and other regulations Solution/Approach: Working closely with the manufacturer, Synergy selected NC Protect  for its deep integration with SharePoint and robust compliance capabilities. Together they: Implemented NC Protect for SharePoint On-Premises Scanned and identified sensitive files using CUI classification keywords Applied dynamic access rules by classification level, user role, and geolocation Enabled secure document viewing using NC Protect’s restricted reader with digital watermarking Configured SharePoint to align with 32 CFR Part 2002 compliance standards Created tiered access levels (Level 1–3) with granular permissions and secure workflows This automation minimized manual oversight, strengthened data security, and reduced the risk of non-compliance. “Helping our client automate CUI management in SharePoint meant delivering more than compliance—we delivered peace of mind. With NC Protect, they now have full confidence that sensitive data is protected, classified, and accessible only to the right people at the right time.” — Jason Blair, Synergy The Results: With NC Protect in place, the manufacturer now ensures CUI is handled safely and efficiently across its global operations: Automated detection and classification  of CUI documents in SharePoint Dynamic access controls  based on user roles and location Secure document viewing  for sensitive files, preventing unauthorized actions like downloading or copying Compliance with CMMC, ITAR, DFAR , and other critical regulations Confidence to scale SharePoint usage without compromising on security INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Manufacturing Global CMMC Compliance CUI Management SharePoint archTIS Need to meet complex data compliance regulations without the manual burden? Let Synergy help you implement secure, scalable solutions like NC Protect that automate CUI management in SharePoint and beyond.

Modernizing the Intranet Experience: How Duane Morris Transformed Collaboration with Synergy As a leading full-service law firm, Duane Morris LLP is dedicated to providing innovative and comprehensive legal solutions, empowering clients to navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals with confidence and integrity. OVERVIEW: Duane Morris was looking to migrate away from their legacy Intranet platform, which was over ten years old at the time the project started. Their team was looking for an Intranet solution that was both compatible with the Microsoft 365 technology that they had begun to adopt and wide-reaching enough to encompass the large number of active sites and pages across their organization. They required a sophisticated digital solution that could streamline communication while fostering a cohesive yet adaptable community. With the goal of modernization in mind, Duane Morris came to Synergy to explore their need for a new Intranet. Goals / Challenges: Duane Morris needed to replace an outdated intranet with a more flexible, user-friendly platform. Key goals included reducing manual migration efforts, empowering departments to manage their own content, and improving overall usability and engagement. Key priorities: Manual migration from a legacy system Respect for departmental autonomy Broader content ownership across teams Better navigation and information structure Increased employee engagement Shared responsibility for content upkeep Solution/Approach: To modernize their intranet, Duane Morris implemented Powell 365 , a platform recommended by SYNERGY following an in-depth discovery process. Powell allowed the firm to create a centralized hub for resources and initiatives, while integrating smoothly with their existing Microsoft 365 tools. Despite the need for manual content migration, the platform’s intuitive design made adoption easy across departments and roles. Highlights of the solution: Centralized firm-wide resources and internal initiatives Manually migrated content from the legacy platform Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 in a user-friendly way Powell 365 selected as the best-fit solution after extensive evaluation “SharePoint is our entry point into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.” — Ernie Coats, Manager of Software Development & Analytics, Duane Morris The Results: Duane Morris sought to modernize their outdated intranet and explore SharePoint Online as part of their adoption of Microsoft 365 technologies. With over 1,000 active sites and pages, they required an efficient, user-friendly platform for staff to access and share information. Synergy recommended Powell for its ability to simplify the user experience while integrating with SharePoint and Microsoft features. Synergy's design team developed an organized information architecture and templates, enabling a smooth transition for Duane Morris. Their successful adoption of Powell and SharePoint Online paved the way for a full embrace of Microsoft 365, supported by ongoing collaboration with Synergy and Powell Software Improvements made: All employees are now utilizing the intranet portal Increase to IT knowledge base and training repository from 1-2  On average, 260+ monthly visits Onboarding and training for new employees has become a more streamlined, effective process Duane Morris intranet designed by SYNERGY INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Law/Legal Consulting USA Implementation Services Custom Intranet Development SharePoint Microsoft 365 Ready to Reimagine Your Intranet? At Synergy, we help forward-thinking firms modernize their digital workplaces using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Powell 365. Whether you're working with outdated tools or just need a more intuitive experience, we’ll help you build the foundation for smarter collaboration.

From Outdated to Future-Ready: How the City of Weston Transformed Its Intranet with Synergy and Powell OVERVIEW: The City of Weston, recognized by Money Magazine, Family Circle, and USA Today as one of the best cities to live in the U.S., prides itself on delivering an excellent quality of life to its residents. As the city continues to grow, ensuring efficient internal communication and streamlined digital tools is essential to maintaining its high standard of services. The City of Weston partnered with Synergy to modernize their outdated SharePoint Classic intranet and transition to SharePoint Modern, addressing Microsoft’s reduced support for the legacy platform. Using Powell as an overlay tool, the upgrade ensured ongoing compatibility with Microsoft updates, eliminating the need for additional development and significantly reducing maintenance costs.  Leveraging Powell Manager, Synergy implemented modern site templates to create a flexible, user-friendly intranet tailored to the city’s needs. The migration was efficient and minimally disruptive, resolving issues with outdated custom web parts and enhancing reliability. The new, mobile-friendly intranet empowered off-site contractors and mobile staff with seamless access, improving workforce efficiency and satisfaction while future-proofing the platform. Goals / Challenges: The City of Weston was operating on an outdated intranet built with SharePoint Classic , a platform rapidly losing support as Microsoft shifted focus to SharePoint Modern. With key updates no longer reaching their existing environment, Weston faced growing risks around functionality, performance, and long-term compatibility. Compounding the issue was the city’s evolving workforce. Many employees—especially contractors—were increasingly mobile, often working remotely or in the field. The existing intranet couldn’t keep up with their needs, and Weston knew a modern, more flexible solution was essential for both current operations and future scalability. Key goals included: Outdated Platform : Replace SharePoint Classic as Microsoft reduced support, minimizing the risk of obsolescence. Need for Modernization : Upgrade to SharePoint Modern to ensure compatibility with evolving SharePoint Online features. Mobile Workforce Support : Provide a responsive, accessible experience for employees working off-site or in the field. Future-Proofing : Ensure the new intranet could adapt to Microsoft’s ongoing roadmap and technology changes. Solution/Approach: To support Weston’s transition to a modern intranet, Synergy implemented Powell  as an overlay for SharePoint Modern —ensuring long-term compatibility with Microsoft updates and eliminating the need for custom development. Using Powell Manager , Synergy deployed modern, flexible site templates that improved usability, streamlined navigation, and replaced unreliable custom web parts. The migration was smooth and efficient, with minimal disruption to staff. Key solution components included: Seamless Integration : Powell was used as an overlay for SharePoint Modern, guaranteeing forward compatibility with Microsoft’s roadmap. Cost Savings : Managed updates removed the need for custom code, reducing ongoing development and maintenance costs. Reliable and User-Friendly : New site templates replaced outdated components, improving stability and usability. Improved Mobile Access : A responsive, device-friendly interface empowered mobile workers and off-site contractors. "This project challenged us to deliver a scalable, precise solution tailored to CoStar's real estate data needs—showcasing Synergy’s commitment to creating impactful, industry-focused results." — Andy Lock, Synergy Implementation Team The Results: Faster, Smarter, More Agile The move to WEBCON BPS marked a significant leap forward in Copper River’s operational maturity. Key benefits included: Rapid development and deployment  of new workflows and digital forms A consistent user experience  across all 16 companies Improved cross-department collaboration , task tracking, and reporting Reduced time-to-market  for launching new business applications Greater flexibility to model and manage complex processes  using tools like WEBCON Designer Desk INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Government USA SharePoint Consulting Custom Intranet Development POWELL Microsoft 365 Ready to Elevate Your Intranet Experience? At Synergy, we specialize in helping organizations turn outdated intranets into powerful digital workplaces—built for scale, simplicity, and impact. With deep expertise in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Powell 365, we deliver solutions that empower teams, streamline communication, and bring your brand to life from the inside out. Let’s build an intranet your people will actually use—and love.

HJ Sims Partners with Synergy to Build a Modern Intranet for a Connected Workforce As one of America's pioneering financial services firms, HJ Sims is committed to helping individuals and organizations meet the financial challenges of today and tomorrow. OVERVIEW: After deciding that their legacy on-premises intranet solution was outdated and rarely used, HJ Sims set out to find a new intranet solution that would replace their old tool. To improve their company’s internal communication and support their clients with the best services possible, HJ Sims needed a functional, branded intranet solution that would boost internal collaboration.  Goals / Challenges: HJ Sims, a pioneering financial services firm, recognized that its legacy on-premises intranet  had become outdated and underutilized. As the firm grew, so did the need for a centralized, intuitive platform to manage internal communication and support strategic initiatives. The existing intranet no longer reflected the company’s digital ambitions or the needs of a hybrid workforce. To address this, HJ Sims set out to modernize their intranet experience—prioritizing accessibility, flexibility, and employee engagement. The goal was not just to replace a platform, but to reimagine how employees collaborate , access resources, and connect with one another. Key goals included: Creating a user-friendly, centralized portal  for managing strategic initiatives Ensuring native integration with Microsoft 365  for seamless functionality Delivering a mobile-responsive digital workplace  accessible anytime, anywhere Enhancing the employee experience  with personalized profiles and peer-to-peer communication tools Solution/Approach: To deliver on these objectives, Synergy recommended Powell , a low-code/no-code intranet platform that offered both speed of implementation and long-term flexibility. This solution enabled the firm to move away from custom development and instead deploy a scalable, branded intranet that was easy to manage and engaging for employees. With Powell Manager , Synergy created a responsive, visually appealing intranet tailored to HJ Sims’ needs. The platform integrated seamlessly with Microsoft 365 , allowing users to access tools and content directly from their desktops or mobile devices. The transition was smooth and efficient, enabling rapid rollout without major disruption. Synergy also provided guidance on governance, training, and content strategy—ensuring HJ Sims had full control over the evolution of its digital workplace. Key solution components included: A low-code/no-code platform  for fast, flexible deployment A branded and intuitive interface  that reflected HJ Sims’ identity Seamless Microsoft 365 integration  to enhance daily productivity Use of Powell Manager  for ongoing site template management and adaptability “Powell is a powerful solution that enables us to easily enhance and upgrade our clients’ portals. In a couple of clicks, we can easily update and redeploy a site or enhance existing capabilities with additional features to meet new needs. Delivery is simplified and as consultants, we can focus on works that bring more value to our customers like information architecture, governance, adoption plans and trainings." — Jason Blair, Senior Architect at Synergy The Results: The new intranet immediately elevated internal collaboration and employee engagement at HJ Sims. The platform has become a daily destination for employees—delivering relevant information, boosting onboarding effectiveness, and reducing reliance on IT for updates and training materials. Tangible outcomes include: Company-wide adoption  of the new intranet across all departments An increase in IT knowledge base visits—from just 1–2 per month to over 260 monthly visits A more streamlined onboarding process , with accessible training and resources A noticeable increase in employee collaboration , supported by peer-driven content and communication tools What began as a technical upgrade quickly became a cultural shift. With Synergy’s support, HJ Sims now has a digital workplace that empowers teams, enhances communication, and evolves with their business. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Financial Services USA Workflow Powell SharePoint Nintex Ready to Transform Your Digital Workplace? At Synergy, we help financial services firms like HJ Sims build digital workplaces that scale with their teams and strengthen collaboration. Whether you’re upgrading from a legacy system or just beginning your transformation journey, we’ll help you design an intranet that empowers your people and simplifies your operations.

How Synergy Helped Copper River Streamline Operations Across 16 Companies with WEBCON BPS OVERVIEW: Copper River Shared Services replaced Nintex with WEBCON BPS to improve efficiency and flexibility in managing workflows across its diverse portfolio of companies. WEBCON's low-code platform allowed for smoother development and deployment, addressing the complex needs of Copper River’s multiple entities. The transition streamlined operations, reduced costs, and enabled faster, more agile application development. Notable improvements include better user experience, enhanced security, and the ability to handle complex processes, boosting overall business performance. Goals / Challenges: Copper River Shared Services, the operational backbone of the Copper River Family of Companies, faced mounting complexity as it scaled to support 16 distinct businesses  across industries like cybersecurity, construction, and healthcare. As the shared services provider for a fast-growing and diverse portfolio, Copper River needed to streamline internal workflows and standardize how services like HR, finance, IT, and legal were delivered. Their existing toolkit—a mix of Nintex, Microsoft Power Automate, SharePoint workflows, and Power Apps—offered limited flexibility. Despite their best efforts, the team was frequently blocked by platform limitations , workflow inefficiencies , and a near-constant need for manual workarounds  just to keep operations moving. Key goals included: Unifying back-office operations across 16 companies with varied structures and needs Eliminating reliance on fragmented tools that created bottlenecks and inconsistent processes Reducing complexity by streamlining workflow development and deployment Empowering teams to independently build, update, and manage their own solutions Solution/Approach: In search of a more robust workflow automation platform, Copper River turned to Synergy to implement WEBCON BPS. The transition to WEBCON allowed Copper River to standardize and simplify workflows across its diverse entities, providing significant improvements in efficiency. WEBCON's intuitive low-code platform offered: A user-friendly interface for creating workflows, reducing the need for extensive IT involvement. Streamlined development and deployment of complex workflows, eliminating the need for time-consuming workarounds. Real-time feedback and process adjustments, enabling continuous improvement and agility. Copper River leveraged WEBCON BPS to develop 10-12 new business applications within the first year, including intricate processes with multiple coordinated subprocesses—something they had previously considered impossible. "My team feels significantly more productive. WEBCON BPS has been a game-changer over the last few months, enabling us to deliver solutions faster and more efficiently than ever before. We’re solving problems in ways we never thought possible.” — Kate Pickworth , Director of Enterprise Operations, Copper River Shared Services The Results: Faster, Smarter, More Agile The move to WEBCON BPS marked a significant leap forward in Copper River’s operational maturity. Key benefits included: Rapid development and deployment  of new workflows and digital forms A consistent user experience  across all 16 companies Improved cross-department collaboration , task tracking, and reporting Reduced time-to-market  for launching new business applications Greater flexibility to model and manage complex processes  using tools like WEBCON Designer Desk INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Business Strategy USA Process Automation WEBCON Ready to Simplify Complex Workflows? At Synergy, we help organizations like Copper River streamline operations with scalable, low-code solutions like WEBCON BPS. Whether you're managing a multi-entity structure or looking to replace fragmented tools, we’ll help you build agile, future-ready processes that work the way your business does. Let’s make your operations more efficient—without the workarounds.

How Synergy Delivered Global SharePoint & Nintex Training for Barclays PLC Barclays PLC (LSE: BARC, NYSE: BCS) is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in London. OVERVIEW: Barclays PLC (LSE: BARC, NYSE: BCS) is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in London. As of 2010 it was the world's 10th-largest banking and financial services group. Barclays PLC has operations in over 50 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America and around 48 million customers. As of June 2011 it had total assets of €1.94 trillion, the third-largest of any bank worldwide (after BNP Paribas and HSBC). Goals / Challenges: As a global banking institution operating across 50+ countries, Barclays PLC  made significant investments in the Microsoft SharePoint ecosystem —using it for document management, business process automation, and team collaboration. However, user adoption and understanding of SharePoint and Nintex Workflow  varied across regional hubs, leading to inconsistent usage and recurring support desk issues. Barclays approached Synergy with a clear goal: to design and deliver a standardized, global training solution  that would align with corporate policies, address regional differences, and reduce reliance on IT support. Key goals included: Driving consistent global adoption  of SharePoint and Nintex Delivering corporate-branded, regionally aligned training programs Addressing frequent support issues  with targeted course content Reducing user dependency on IT through skills development and confidence-building Solution/Approach: Synergy partnered closely with Barclays’ internal SharePoint team to identify common user pain points and usage patterns across hubs. With this insight, our team developed customized courseware  that aligned with Barclays' internal policies, technology stack, and training needs. Each course included hands-on lab exercises  within virtual machines that mimicked Barclays’ live environment—ensuring employees trained in a setting familiar to them. After piloting the program in each hub, we rolled out regular monthly training sessions  that continue to this day. To keep global trainers aligned, a dedicated project manager  coordinated lessons learned, feedback loops, and course updates through a collaborative SharePoint Wiki . This centralized knowledge-sharing approach kept all regional trainers updated on Barclays-specific use cases, support challenges, and evolving needs. Key solution components included: Custom-built SharePoint and Nintex training curriculum  with hands-on labs Virtualized training environments  mirroring Barclays’ production systems Ongoing monthly training sessions  and post-classroom support A centralized trainer knowledgebase  to support regional alignment and communication “Barclays required a solution that aligned with their global IT strategy, and we delivered with precision. Our collaboration resulted in a platform that continues to drive efficiency and support their long-term goals.” — Milan Gross, Customer Lead, Synergy The Results: Barclays’ internal SharePoint adoption increased across global hubs, as site administrators and end users became more confident in using both SharePoint and Nintex Workflow. Sites that had once been difficult to support became more self-sufficient, reducing the burden on IT. Ongoing engagement with Synergy trainers also led to improved site architecture , better use of automation tools, and enhanced collaboration across teams. Key outcomes include: Higher adoption  of SharePoint and Nintex tools across all regions A growing population of skilled site admins , reducing IT support loads Increased course participation  due to positive internal referrals Reworked and optimized intranet sites based on training takeaways Through continuous training and collaborative support, Barclays has built a more digitally capable workforce—one that fully leverages its investment in SharePoint and Nintex technologies. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Financial Services Global Training Workflow Automation SharePoint Nintex Ready to Empower Your Teams with Targeted Training? At Synergy, we help global enterprises like Barclays create custom training programs that not only upskill users but drive platform adoption and reduce IT overhead. Whether you need to train on Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Nintex, we’ll deliver a scalable, branded learning experience that meets your organizational goals.