Our goal at Pingboard is to help growing companies everywhere become people-centric and deliver a better employee experience in order to drive engagement. With solutions for onboarding, org charts, employee connection, peer recognition, and more, there’s nothing on the market that even comes close to Pingboard.
However, if you’re new to the employee engagement software market, you might be struggling to understand what features you need and how Pingboard differs from other solutions available. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the different types of solutions that HR and People Ops professionals consider when trying to solve their disengagement problem, how they compare to Pingboard, and why these platforms may or may not be right for you.
Types of Solutions in this Guide:
Employee Engagement Software
Performance Management Software
HR Admin Software
Org Chart Software
Workspace Collaboration Software
Survey Software
Employee Intranet Systems
What is employee engagement software?
Employee engagement software is designed to measure, improve, and enhance employee engagement within your organization. These platforms typically offer a range of features and functionalities to support your organization in creating a positive and engaging work environment.
The main goal of employee engagement software is to enhance employee satisfaction and motivation, improve productivity and retention, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.
Some common features of employee engagement software include:
Surveys and Feedback: Gather feedback from your employees in order to assess employee satisfaction, identify areas for improvement, and gauge the overall engagement level within your organization.
Performance Management: Receive a holistic view of employee engagement and performance to align your engagement initiatives with performance goals and provide feedback to employees on their engagement levels.
Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and/or reward your employees for their contributions and achievements in the form of peer-to-peer recognition, milestone celebrations, or performance-based rewards.
Communication and Collaboration: Provide tools for internal communication, team collaboration, and knowledge sharing to facilitate better communication and teamwork within your organization.
Analytics and Reporting: View analytics and reports to track engagement trends over time, identify areas in need of improvement, and measure the impact of your engagement initiatives.
Learning and Development: Provide your employees with opportunities for growth and skill development, which can contribute to higher engagement levels.
Employee engagement platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
CultureAmp vs. Pingboard
CultureAmp is an employee engagement software focused on employee performance and development, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on creating an overall better employee experience.
Where CultureAmp excels: 360 performance reviews, goal and OKR tracking, skills coaching, manager feedback reviews, turnover forecasting
Where Pingboard excels: onboarding checklist templates, customizable surveys, easy-to-use and update org chart, employee profiles and directories, focused on developing a sense of connection among your remote employees to increase engagement
15Five vs. Pingboard
15Five is an employee engagement software focused on performance management and turnover risk management, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on fostering employee connections and covering all areas that contribute to the employee experience.
Where 15Five excels: performance reviews, performance data and tracking, manager coaching and upskilling,
Where Pingboard excels: Onboarding solutions, org chart solutions, employee directory and profiles, 1:1 meeting management that isn’t tied to performance reviews
Officevibe vs. Pingboard
Officevibe is an employee engagement software focused on engagement surveys, peer recognition, and performance management, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software that is primarily focused on fostering employee connections and covering all areas that contribute to the employee experience.
Where Officevibe excels: automated pulse surveys, OKR and goal management, anonymous feedback, 1:1 meeting management, manager guidance,
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding solutions, automated org chart, employee directory and profiles, employee statuses, peer recognition, 1:1 meeting management, custom surveys
Motivosity vs. Pingboard
Motivosity is an employee engagement software focused on creating connections, recognition, manager development, and employee insights, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on creating connections, recognition, successful onboarding, manager accountability, and employee insights.
Where Motivosity excels: employee personality profiles, org chart, peer recognition, 1:1 meeting management, surveys
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee directory and profiles, employee statuses and calendar, org chart, peer recognition, 1:1 meeting management, surveys
What is performance management software?
Performance management software is designed to streamline and automate the process of managing and evaluating employee performance within an organization. It provides a framework for setting goals, tracking progress, providing feedback, and assessing performance.
By using performance management software, you can streamline and automate the performance management process, foster a culture of continuous feedback and improvement, enhance communication between managers and employees, and provide a framework for aligning individual and team performance with organizational goals.
Performance management software typically offers a range of features and functionalities to support your organization in effectively managing and improving employee performance.
Some common features of performance management software include:
Goal Setting and Alignment: Set goals and objectives at the individual, team, and organizational levels and further align individual goals with broader organizational objectives, ensuring that your employees' efforts are focused on strategic priorities.
Continuous Feedback and Communication: Facilitate ongoing feedback and communication between managers and employees to enable timely and constructive feedback, encourage regular check-ins, and encourage open dialogue about performance.
Performance Reviews and Evaluations: Allow managers to document and assess employees' performance against predefined goals and competencies using customizable evaluation forms, rating scales, and comment sections to gather comprehensive feedback.
Development and Learning Opportunities: Identify skill gaps, create development plans, and track employee learning progress in skill enhancement or training initiatives.
Performance Analytics and Reporting: View insights into employee performance trends and outcomes with report generation and data visualization to identify patterns or areas for improvement.
Performance Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and reward high-performing employees with peer-to-peer recognition, performance-based incentives, or integration with other employee recognition platforms.
How does performance management software help drive employee engagement?
You can use performance management software to drive employee engagement in several ways:
Setting Clear Goals: Performance management software enables your organization to set clear, specific, and measurable goals for employees. By aligning individual goals with organizational objectives, employees gain a sense of purpose and direction, which enhances their engagement with your company.
Ongoing Feedback and Coaching: Performance management software provides a platform for regular check-ins, where managers can provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback to employees. These ongoing conversations enhance communication, build trust, and create a collaborative environment that, in turn, fosters engagement.
Providing Growth Opportunities: Performance management software supports employee development and growth which enhances employee motivation and engagement. It does this by helping your managers and employees identify strengths, areas for improvement, and potential career paths.
Employee Recognition: Many performance management software platforms include features for recognizing and rewarding employee achievements, and recognition is a strong driver of employee engagement. Publicly acknowledging employee contributions and accomplishments is a morale booster and it reinforces desired behaviors.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Performance management software provides access to data and analytics related to employee performance. You can use this data to identify trends, uncover performance patterns, and make informed decisions to ensure fairness, objectivity, and transparency, which contribute to engagement by creating a sense of trust and alignment.
When does it make sense to purchase performance management software instead of employee engagement software?
You may choose to purchase performance management software instead of employee engagement software if your primary focus is on streamlining performance-related processes, improving goal setting and tracking, and enhancing feedback and coaching within your organization.
Here are a few situations where performance management software may be preferred:
If you need to establish a more structured and efficient process for conducting performance evaluations and appraisals, performance management software can be beneficial.
If you want to improve the goal-setting process, have better visibility into company-wide goal attainment, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives, performance management software can be helpful.
If your organization seeks to foster a culture of ongoing feedback and regular coaching between your managers and employees, performance management software can facilitate this process.
If you want to easily create development plans, identify skill gaps, and track training and development activities while also identifying high-potential employees to ensure a talent pipeline for future organizational needs, performance management software will be beneficial.
If you need robust data and analytics on employee performance, to identify trends and areas for improvement, performance management software can provide valuable insights.
Performance management platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
Lattice vs. Pingboard
Lattice is a people management platform focused on performance reviews, employee engagement, and career growth, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on fostering employee connections and covering all areas that contribute to the employee experience.
Where Lattice excels: performance review management, peer recognition integrations, DEIB analytics reports, employee surveys, compensation planning
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding solutions, employee engagement solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, custom surveys
Leapsome vs. Pingboard
Leapsome is a people enablement platform providing OKR management, performance reviews, and learning and development solutions, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on fostering employee connections and covering all areas that contribute to the employee experience.
Where Leapsome excels: training and L&D programs, career growth tracking, peer feedback, automated org chart, employee surveys, 1:1 meeting management
Where Pingboard excels: onboarding checklists, robust employee profiles and directory, automated org chart, employee surveys, 1:1 meeting management
Trakstar vs. Pingboard
Trakstar is a performance management and talent development platform with solutions for learning and onboarding programs, goal management, applicant tracking, and detailed workforce analytics, while Pingboard is an employee engagement software focused on fostering employee connections and covering all areas that contribute to the employee experience.
Where Trakstar excels: engagement surveys, performance reviews, training course creation, candidate sourcing
Where Pingboard excels: engagement surveys, 1:1 meeting management, onboarding checklists, automated org chart, employee directory and profiles, peer recognition
What is human resource administration software?
HR admin software, also known as human resources administration software or HR management software, is a digital solution designed to streamline and automate various administrative tasks and processes within the human resources department of an organization. It provides a centralized platform to manage employee data, automate HR processes, and enhance HR operations efficiency.
By centralizing HR processes and data management, you can effectively manage your workforce and support HR functions more efficiently.
Some common features of HR admin software include:
Employee Information Management: Use a centralized repository for storing and managing your employee data.You can maintain employee records including personal information, contact details, employment history, performance records, benefits enrollment, and more.
Employee Self-Service: Allow your employees to access and update their personal information, view pay stubs, submit leave requests, access company policies, and perform other self-service tasks, reducing the administrative burden on HR staff.
Payroll and Benefits Administration: Automate payroll calculations and tax deductions, and generate detailed reports. You may also facilitate benefits enrollment, manage employee deductions, and integrate with external payroll systems.
Time and Attendance Tracking: Monitor employee attendance, manage leave requests, and calculate hours worked to streamline the process of tracking employee time, ensuring accurate payroll calculations and compliance with labor regulations.
Performance Management: Manage performance reviews, goal setting, feedback collection, and performance evaluation processes to facilitate ongoing performance monitoring and development.
Recruitment and Onboarding: Streamline your recruitment and onboarding process with features for posting job vacancies, managing applications, scheduling interviews, conducting background checks, and facilitating new hire onboarding.
Compliance and Reporting: Generate reports required for compliance audits, EEOC reporting, diversity metrics, and other regulatory requirements to ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations.
Analytics and Reporting: View insights into HR metrics and workforce trends by generating reports on employee turnover, headcount, training needs, and other HR-related data to support data-driven decision making.
Integration and Data Security: Integrate with your other HR systems, such as payroll systems, time and attendance software, or benefits providers, to ensure seamless data flow all while prioritizing data security measures to protect sensitive employee information.
How does human resource administration software help drive employee engagement?
HR admin software can play a supportive role in driving employee engagement by streamlining administrative processes and creating a foundation for you to effectively manage human resources tasks.
While the software itself may not directly drive engagement, it enables you to allocate more time and resources towards engagement initiatives.
Additionally, many HR admin platforms integrate with employee engagement software like Pingboard in order to allow your employee data to directly connect with solutions for creating employee connections, encouraging peer recognition, sending surveys, and other engagement drivers.
When does it make sense to purchase human resource administration software instead of employee engagement software?
You might consider purchasing an HR admin platform in place of an employee engagement platform if your primary focus is on streamlining HR operations, managing employee data, and ensuring compliance, rather than implementing comprehensive employee engagement strategies.
Here are a few situations where an HR admin platform may be preferred:
If you operate in a highly regulated industry or region with complex HR compliance requirements, an HR admin platform can help ensure legal compliance since these platforms provide tools for managing employee data privacy, labor laws, reporting obligations, and other compliance-related tasks.
If you need a centralized system for managing employee data, maintaining accurate records, and facilitating easy access to basic employee information, an HR admin platform is valuable. Having accurate and readily accessible employee data enables efficient HR operations and supports your decision-making processes.
If you require seamless integration between HR functions and payroll/benefits management, an HR admin platform can be beneficial since these platforms often integrate with payroll and benefits systems, ensuring accurate and efficient processing of employee compensation and benefits.
If your goal is to drive employee engagement and have a way to regularly measure engagement levels, an HR admin platform may not be sufficient.
HR admin software platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
ADP vs. Pingboard
ADP is a payroll, tax, and human resources management platform with solutions to help human resources professionals remain compliant and manage the basic HR tasks, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees.
Where ADP excels: Benefits and insurance management, compliance services, time and attendance tracking, payroll and tax management, recruiting solutions, talent management,
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
BambooHR vs. Pingboard
BambooHR is an HR administration platform with solutions for employee data management, payroll, and benefits, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees.
Where BambooHR excels: HR data and reporting, payroll and benefits management, performance management, hiring and onboarding solutions
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
Rippling vs. Pingboard
Rippling is an HR admin platform with a focus on solutions for human resource, IT, and finance management, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees.
Where Rippling excels: payroll and benefits, time and attendance, talent management, learning management, device management, expense management, policy management
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
What is org chart software?
An org chart solution is designed to create and manage organizational charts. These charts represent the structure and hierarchy of your organization, including the relationships between various departments, teams, and individuals. This visual representation makes it easier to understand and communicate the reporting lines, roles, and responsibilities within your company.
Some common features of org chart software include:
Drag-and-Drop Interface: A user-friendly interface allows you to easily create and modify org charts by dragging and dropping elements. This feature simplifies the process of adding employees, departments, and positions to the chart.
Pre-designed Templates: A variety of pre-designed templates provide a starting point to help you quickly create professional-looking org charts without starting from scratch.
Data Import: Import data from external sources such as HR systems or spreadsheets to automatically populate your org chart with employee information, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
Hierarchical Relationships: Define reporting lines and indicate who reports to whom within the organization's structure.
Customization Options: Many platforms provide customization options such as colors, fonts, layouts, and styles to match your organization's branding or specific requirements.
Employee Profiles: Create employee profiles within your org chart that contain additional information such as job titles, contact details, department, and even employee photos to provide a quick reference for key employee details.
Collaboration and Sharing: Allow multiple users to work on the same org chart simultaneously. Users can collaborate, make changes, and provide feedback in real time, to ensure your org chart is up to date.
Version Control: Enable users to track changes made to your org chart over time, revert to previous versions if needed, and maintain an audit trail of modifications.
Export and Integration: Export org charts in various formats, such as PDF, image files, or interactive web formats to easily share your org chart with others or embed it in other documents or presentations. Additionally, some org chart platforms offer integration with other HR systems or software, facilitating data exchange and synchronization.
How does org chart software drive employee engagement?
While the primary purpose of org chart software is to visually represent your company’s organizational structure and reporting lines, it indirectly contributes to employee engagement in several ways:
Clear Alignment: Org chart software provides employees with a clear understanding of your company's structure, including reporting relationships and departmental hierarchies. This clarity promotes transparency, enabling your employees to comprehend how their roles fit into the larger picture. When employees have a clear understanding of the organization's structure and their place within it, they are more likely to feel engaged and aligned with your company's goals.
Increased Communication: Org chart software facilitates communication and collaboration by helping employees identify the right individuals or teams to connect with for specific projects, information, or support. When your employees can easily locate and connect with the relevant people in your organization, you’ll see an improvement in collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional teamwork.
Insight into Growth Opportunities: Org chart software can showcase different roles, positions, and career progression routes, so that your employees can identify potential career paths, understand promotion opportunities, and develop a clear vision for their professional growth. This visibility of career opportunities promotes engagement by giving your employees a sense of purpose, direction, and the motivation to work towards their goals.
Better Onboarding: Org chart software helps new hires quickly familiarize themselves with the organizational structure, understand reporting lines, and identify key stakeholders. When new hires can easily navigate and comprehend your organizational dynamics, they can integrate into the company more smoothly, feel included, and become engaged in their roles faster.
Increased Collaboration: Org chart software provides visibility into the connections and interdependencies between different departments and teams. When your employees can see how their work aligns with others’, they are more likely to reach out for collaboration, seek different perspectives, and build relationships beyond their immediate team. This level of collaboration enhances engagement and creates a sense of shared purpose.
When does it make sense to purchase org chart software instead of employee engagement software?
You may consider purchasing an org chart software platform instead of an employee engagement platform if your primary focus is on managing and visualizing your company’s organizational structure rather than implementing comprehensive employee engagement strategies.
Having an org chart is only one piece of driving employee engagement, but if the following situations apply to you, org chart software may be your preferred purchase.
Organizational Restructuring or Change: Your organization is undergoing significant restructuring, mergers, or acquisitions, org chart software can be valuable to help visualize and communicate the changes, ensuring that employees understand the new reporting lines and departmental alignments.
Organizational Transparency: You want to ensure that employees have access to up-to-date and accurate information about your company’s organizational structure in real time in order to provide transparency that will enhance trust, reduce confusion, and foster better communication.
Compliance and Reporting: You need a centralized platform to manage and update employee data, track headcount, and visualize company structure for compliance purposes or reporting obligations.
It's important to note that org chart software primarily focuses on visualizing and managing the organizational structure, while employee engagement platforms offer a broader set of features and strategies to actively engage employees, measure engagement levels, and drive initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction.
If your aim is to implement a comprehensive employee engagement strategy, an employee engagement platform may be a more suitable choice.
Org chart platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
ChartHop vs. Pingboard
ChartHop is an org chart platform that is focused on helping HR professionals have data-driven operations, where Pingboard is an org chart and employee engagement platform that is focused on helping companies create a better employee experience.
Where ChartHop excels: performance data and performance review management, free version of the platform, integrations with some applicant tracking systems
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding checklists, peer recognition, library of org chart templates, mobile app
Sift vs. Pingboard
Sift is an org chart platform that is focused solely on creating and maintaining your org chart, where Pingboard is an org chart and employee engagement platform that is focused on helping companies create a better employee experience.
Where Sift excels: employee directory and profiles integrate with Teams calls, pricing is affordable
Where Pingboard excels: employee directory has customization settings and “Groups” for better organization, library of org chart templates, org chart connected to a full employee engagement platform
Organimi vs. Pingboard
Organimi is an org chart platform that covers the basic functionality of an org chart and allows for easy data syncing with HR systems, where Pingboard is an org chart and employee engagement platform that is focused on helping companies create a better employee experience.
Where Organimi excels: Easy-to-use, affordable, focuses fully on org chart and directories
Where Pingboard excels: Org chart connected to a full employee engagement platform, chat customer support, mobile app, employee profiles that are robust and connected to engagement features
What is workspace collaboration software?
Workspace collaboration software refers to a category of digital tools and platforms designed to facilitate communication, collaboration, and information sharing among team members in a shared workspace or remote environment.
These collaboration tools provide a centralized platform where teams can collaborate on projects, share files and documents, communicate in real-time, and coordinate their work effectively.
Some common features of workspace collaboration software include:
Chat and Instant Messaging: Enable real-time communication among team members to allow for quick and informal discussions, sharing of ideas, and addressing urgent matters.
File Sharing and Document Collaboration: Upload, store, and share files within a single workspace so that multiple team members can collaborate on the same document simultaneously.
Task and Project Management: Organize and track work centrally by creating tasks, assigning responsibilities, setting deadlines, and tracking progress. This is also helpful for visualizing project timelines, milestones, and dependencies.
Virtual Meetings and Video Conferencing: Encourage team members to have face-to-face interactions, conduct meetings remotely, and collaborate effectively, regardless of their physical location.
Calendar and Scheduling: Shared calendars and scheduling features allow team members to schedule and manage meetings, set reminders, and view availability, ensuring efficient coordination.
Document Versioning and History: Access previous versions of documents, view changes made over time, and restore previous versions if needed.
Notifications and Alerts: Keep your team members informed by providing notifications and alerts for new messages, task assignments, upcoming deadlines, and other relevant updates.
Integration: Integrate with other productivity tools and systems such as project management software, document management platforms, or customer relationship management (CRM) software for seamless data flow, workflow efficiency, and to avoid duplication of work.
How does workspace collaboration software help drive employee engagement?
Workspace collaboration software can play a significant role in driving employee engagement by fostering communication, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within the organization.
Here are some examples:
Improved Communication Channels: Effective communication is vital for employee engagement. Workspace collaboration software enables real-time communication, allowing employees to connect, share ideas, and collaborate easily, regardless of their physical location. This improved communication enhances transparency, reduces isolation, and promotes a sense of belonging.
Enhanced Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaboration is a key driver of engagement because it promotes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective accomplishment. Workspace collaboration software offers tools and features that facilitate collaboration on projects, document sharing, and simultaneous editing.
Access to Information and Resources: Easy access to information eliminates unnecessary barriers and frustrations, empowering employees to work effectively and feel engaged in their roles. Collaboration software aides in this by providing a centralized platform for storing and accessing information, documents, and resources.
Increased Employee Involvement: Workspace collaboration software encourages employee involvement and participation in decision-making processes. It allows employees to contribute ideas, provide feedback, and actively participate in discussions and projects. When employees feel valued and involved in shaping the direction of the organization, they become more engaged and invested in their work.
Recognition and Appreciation: Many workspace collaboration platforms include features for employee recognition and appreciation by providing channels to acknowledge and celebrate employee achievements, milestones, and contributions. Publicly recognizing employees' efforts and providing opportunities for peer-to-peer recognition boosts morale, motivation, and overall engagement.
Remote Work Enablement: With the rise of remote work, collaboration software has become even more critical for driving engagement by enabling remote employees to connect, collaborate, and engage with their colleagues and the organization as a whole. By providing a virtual workspace that transcends physical boundaries, collaboration software helps remote workers feel included, connected, and engaged.
Idea Generation and Innovation: Collaboration software encourages idea generation and innovation by providing a platform for brainstorming, ideation, and sharing of creative concepts. It fosters a culture of innovation, where employees feel empowered to contribute ideas and make a meaningful impact on the organization. This sense of involvement and contribution drives employee engagement.
Knowledge Sharing and Learning Opportunities: Collaboration software facilitates knowledge sharing and continuous learning within your organization by making it easy for employees to share expertise, best practices, and resources with their colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and growth. This access to learning opportunities enhances employee engagement by providing avenues for professional development and skill enhancement.
When does it make sense to purchase workspace collaboration software instead of employee engagement software?
You might choose a workspace collaboration software over an employee engagement platform if your priority is on facilitating communication, collaboration, and optimizing workflow efficiency rather than implementing a comprehensive employee engagement strategy.
While employee engagement software will help foster connections and better communication, workspace collaboration software will help with efficiency of work and streamlining of communication
Here are a few situations where a workspace collaboration software may be preferred:
If your team is primarily remote or distributed and you need a way to meet virtually or collaborate on a document from multiple locations.
If you are concerned with optimizing workflow processes, task management, and resource allocation, a workspace collaboration software may be more appropriate.
If your organization has a need to improve internal communication channels and promote information sharing, a workspace collaboration software can be a valuable tool.
If you already have existing productivity tools and systems in place and need an extra layer of collaboration support, choosing a workspace collaboration software that integrates well with those tools can streamline workflows and avoid duplication of efforts.
Workspace collaboration software platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
Google Workspace vs. Pingboard
Google Workspace is a cloud-based collaboration and productivity tool that has a collection of apps for virtual meetings, documents, email, from creation and more. Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees.
Where Google Workspace excels: Video conferencing, shared calendars, presentation builder, collaborative docs, messaging for teams, cloud storage, spreadsheets
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
Notion vs. Pingboard
Notion is a productivity and workspace collaboration tool for note taking and project management, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees.
Where Notion excels: Centralized knowledge sharing, collaborative docs, customizable project management
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
Slack vs. Pingboard
Slack is a communication and collaboration tool for businesses, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform focused on helping companies create a better experience for employees. Note: Slack integrates with Pingboard so that information like peer recognition, employee status updates, and other employee details from Pingboard can show up in Slack.
Where Slack excels: messaging, remote communication, workflow automation, file sharing, audio and video calling
Where Pingboard excels: new hire onboarding, employee engagement solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, engagement surveys, peer recognition
What is survey software?
Survey software allows you to create, distribute, collect, and analyze surveys or questionnaires. These cloud-based platforms are good for designing and conducting surveys, gathering responses, and generating insights from the collected data.
You can use survey software as a powerful tool for decision-making, improving the employee experience, and overall, gaining a better understanding of your employees.
Some common features of survey software include:
Templates: Use templates of questions and answer options to design surveys with various question types such as multiple choice, rating scales, open-ended questions, and more. Survey templates often allow for customization of survey layout, branding, and themes.
Distribution Channels: A survey platform will generally offer multiple channels for distributing surveys to respondents including email invitations, embedded surveys on websites, social media sharing, or links to shareable surveys. Some survey software also provides built-in respondent panels for targeted sampling.
Data Collection: Collect and store survey responses in a centralized database to ensure data security and confidentiality while allowing respondents to provide their feedback through a secure online platform.
Logic and Branching: Allow for conditional questions and skip logic, where subsequent questions or survey paths are determined based on the respondent's previous answers. This helps tailor the survey experience and collect relevant data.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The most important part of your surveys is the data you receive, so survey software provides features such as data visualization, filtering, and cross-tabulation to explore and interpret survey results. Some software offers advanced analytics, sentiment analysis, and text mining capabilities for in-depth insights.
Survey Management: Manage multiple surveys simultaneously while also tracking response rates, sending reminders to non-respondents, and monitoring survey progress. To aid in managing multiple surveys, some platforms may also provide collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on surveys collaboratively.
Integration and Export: Integrate with other applications or systems such as customer relationship management (CRM) software, email marketing tools, or analytics platforms to enable the seamless transfer of survey data in various formats for further analysis or integration with other systems.
How does survey software help drive employee engagement?
Using surveys to gather employee feedback is vital if you want to be able to drive engagement within your organization. Here’s how survey software and engagement are connected:
By regularly surveying employees, you can gain insights into their needs, concerns, and suggestions, making your employees feel valued and heard.
By asking targeted questions about employee work conditions, communication, career development, and other areas of the employee experience, you can pinpoint specific areas that need attention and then take necessary action.
Surveys enable you to involve employees in company decision-making processes which will in turn increase their engagement with your company. By soliciting employee opinions on company policies, benefits, or other work-related initiatives, you can create a sense of ownership and empowerment.
Sending surveys on a regular basis allows you to track changes in employee sentiment and engagement levels over time. This way you can identify trends and patterns, and then implement targeted interventions and measure the effectiveness of your engagement initiatives.
Survey software makes it easy to send pulse surveys, which are shorter and more frequent in order to provide a quick and regular way to check in on employee sentiment, gather feedback, and address emerging issues promptly. These pulse surveys can help you stay responsive to employee needs, demonstrate your commitment to engagement, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
When does it make sense to purchase survey software instead of employee engagement software?
You might choose a survey platform over an employee engagement platform if your only focus is on gathering employee feedback rather than implementing a comprehensive employee engagement strategy.
Here are a few other situations where a survey software platform may be preferred over an employee engagement platform:
If you require a tool to conduct one-time or ad hoc surveys for specific projects or initiatives, a survey platform can be a more cost-effective and efficient option as it allows for designing and distributing surveys quickly, collecting responses, and analyzing data without the need for ongoing engagement features.
If you are conducting academic research or market research that involves talking to employees or external stakeholders outside of gathering insights related to the employee experience or employee engagement, a dedicated survey platform may be preferred.
If you already have an employee engagement platform or other HR systems in place that do not include robust survey capabilities, integrating a standalone survey platform can be a viable option. This allows you to leverage the survey-specific features of the platform while maintaining your existing HR ecosystem.
Survey platforms and how they compare to Pingboard
SurveyMonkey vs. Pingboard
SurveyMonkey is an online questionnaire tool with customizable and template surveys for a variety of use cases, Pingboard is an employee engagement platform that has surveys and also connects to a broader platform for improving the employee experience.
Where SurveyMonkey excels: survey templates, workflow integrations, easy survey sharing, insights and reports
Where Pingboard excels: custom surveys, engagement survey templates, survey analytics, new hire onboarding, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, peer recognition, HRIS integrations
Typeform vs. Pingboard
Typeform is a solution for online form building and surveys, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform that has surveys and also connects to a broader platform for improving the employee experience.
Where Typeform excels: survey templates, feedback surveys, employee engagement survey templates, data analytics
Where Pingboard excels: custom surveys, engagement survey templates, survey analytics, new hire onboarding, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, peer recognition, HRIS integrations
Qualtrics vs. Pingboard
Qualtrics is an online survey tool and data analysis platform focused on advanced quantitative and qualitative research, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform that has surveys and also connects to a broader platform for improving the employee experience.
Where Qualtrics excels: survey building, advanced logic, API integrations, survey distribution, research design, employee engagement insights, HRIS integrations
Where Pingboard excels: custom surveys, engagement survey templates, HRIS integrations, survey analytics, new hire onboarding, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, peer recognition
Google Forms vs. Pingboard
Google Forms is a survey administration software that is part of the Google Workspace, while Pingboard is an employee engagement platform that has surveys and also connects to a broader platform for improving the employee experience.
Where Google Forms excels: free survey creation, real-time response collection, form customization
Where Pingboard excels: custom surveys, engagement survey templates, HRIS integrations, survey analytics, new hire onboarding, solutions for connection between remote workers, customizable org charts, employee profiles and directory, peer recognition
What is an employee intranet system?
An employee intranet system is a private, internal network or website used within an organization to facilitate communication, collaboration, and access to information among employees. It usually also serves as a centralized platform where employees can find essential resources, company updates, documents, and tools relevant to their work.
Key features of an employee intranet system may include:
Communication Tools: An intranet provides various communication channels for company-wide announcements, departmental updates, discussion forums, and other messaging. These communication channels enable employees to stay informed about company news and events and engage in discussions with colleagues.
Document and Resource Management: An intranet serves as a repository for storing and organizing documents, policies, procedures, and other resources. It also ensures that employees have access to up-to-date and relevant information to support their work tasks.
Collaboration Spaces: Intranets often include collaborative spaces where teams can work together on projects, share files, and communicate in real-time.
Employee Directories: An intranet typically features an employee directory, which provides contact information and profiles for all employees within the organization.
Self-Service Portals: Intranet systems often offer self-service portals where employees can access and update their personal information, view payroll details, request time off, enroll in benefits, and perform other HR-related tasks.
Training and Development Resources: Intranets may include sections dedicated to employee training and development. This can involve online learning modules, access to webinars, and resources for professional growth.
Integrations: Intranets can often integrate with other internal systems like HR management software, project management tools, and document collaboration platforms, providing a seamless experience for your employees.
How does employee intranet help drive employee engagement?
While an employee intranet system is not meant to be a tool for driving engagement, it does help with collaboration and communication which are key pieces in a positive employee experience.
Here are some other ways in which employee intranet can help drive employee engagement:
Intranets can reinforce your organization's culture and values by providing a hub for showcasing employee success stories and testimonials, and initiatives aligned with the company's mission. Aligning employees with the company's culture enhances their sense of purpose and engagement.
Intranets can be used to promote and organize employee events, team-building activities, and social gatherings which in turn help to enhance the sense of community and fosters positive relationships in the workplace.
An intranet provides a platform for company-wide announcements, updates, and departmental news. When your employees are well-informed about organizational goals, initiatives, and achievements, they have a stronger sense of belonging and alignment with your company's mission.
Intranets often include collaboration spaces where teams can work together on projects, share ideas, and communicate in real-time. This encourages teamwork, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective accomplishment.
Some intranet systems may feature employee recognition solutions where colleagues or managers can publicly acknowledge and appreciate outstanding contributions. Recognition boosts employee morale, motivation, and engagement by reinforcing positive behaviors and making employees feel valued.
Intranets can provide easy access to training materials, online courses, webinars, and resources for professional development leading to employees who feel supported in their growth and skill development, which means they are more likely to feel engaged and committed to their roles.
When does it make sense to purchase employee intranet instead of employee engagement software?
You might consider purchasing an employee intranet system in place of an employee engagement platform if you don’t have a system for internal communication, facilitating knowledge sharing, and enhancing operational efficiency.
If you want to drive engagement within your company, these things are vital to have in place. Here are some other reasons you may choose an employee intranet over employee engagement software:
Document and Resource Management: If you want to enhance document and resource management, an intranet system will provide the support you need. Having your documents and other tools organized is important to keep employees able to do their work effectively, which will in turn improve their engagement levels.
Collaboration and Teamwork: If your company is in need of improving the way teams work together, an employee intranet can help provide systems for collaboration.
Self-Service Information Access: If you’re constantly getting questions from employees about benefits, payroll, and other company information, an intranet system puts the power in the hands of your employees to access and manage the information they need.
It's important to note that while an employee intranet system facilitates communication, information sharing, and collaboration, it may not provide the comprehensive range of features and strategies offered by dedicated employee engagement platforms.
If you want to implement a holistic approach to employee engagement, including ongoing measurement, feedback management, recognition programs, and comprehensive analytics, an employee engagement platform may be a more suitable choice.
Employee intranet systems and how they compare to Pingboard
Guru vs. Pingboard
Guru is an intranet and knowledge base that serves as an internal communications hub and document database, where Pingboard is an employee engagement suite that promotes better communication and solutions to create an improved employee experience.
Where Guru excels: AI-powered search, automated announcements, content creator, HR software integrations, org chart, employee profiles, onboarding checklists,
Where Pingboard excels: Company announcements, org chart, employee directory and profiles, HR software integrations, employee milestones, employee status calendar, peer recognition, surveys, 1:1 meeting management, onboarding solutions
Workvivo vs. Pingboard
Workvivo is an employee intranet with a focus on streamlining communication and driving employee engagement, while Pingboard is an employee engagement suite that promotes better communication and solutions to create an improved employee experience.
Where Workvivo excels: Employee directory, news feed, peer recognition, surveys, analytics, collaboration tools, knowledge sharing, HRIS integrations,
Where Pingboard excels: Company announcements, org chart, employee directory and profiles, HR software integrations, employee milestones, employee status calendar, peer recognition, surveys, 1:1 meeting management, onboarding solutions
Workplace (Meta) vs. Pingboard
Workplace is a business communications platform that combines chat, video, and intranet, while Pingboard is an employee engagement suite that promotes better communication and solutions to create an improved employee experience.
Where Workplace excels: Knowledge base, employee groups, employee news feed, virtual event hosting
Where Pingboard excels: Company announcements, org chart, employee directory and profiles, HR software integrations, employee milestones, employee status calendar, peer recognition, surveys, 1:1 meeting management, onboarding solutions