The verdict in three sentences
For a group of 2,800 employees and 6 subsidiaries in Dubai, rebuilding a neglected SharePoint 2013 intranet costs 180,000 to 320,000 AED (about 49,000 to 87,000 USD) with modernized SharePoint Online, or 320,000 to 650,000 AED (about 87,000 to 177,000 USD) for a custom build connected to Microsoft 365. The choice depends less on technology than on real usage: an intranet survives when it replaces daily tasks (leave, letters, directory), not when it only publishes news. A target of 70 % monthly active employees is achievable in a 5-month project, provided each subsidiary has trained contributors.
Why the old intranet is no longer used
SharePoint 2013 intranets installed a decade ago share the same symptoms: poor mobile display, weak search, outdated content and no useful self-service. In a Gulf group spanning retail, logistics or facilities management, a large share of staff work on site without a desk, and many prefer Arabic, Hindi or Urdu over English. If the intranet is not usable on a phone, it does not exist for them. SharePoint Server 2013 has also been out of Microsoft support since April 2023, a real security issue.
Modernized SharePoint Online or custom intranet: a costed comparison
| Criterion (2026 order of magnitude) | Modernized SharePoint Online | Custom intranet |
|---|---|---|
| Build budget | 180,000 to 320,000 AED | 320,000 to 650,000 AED |
| Timeline | 3 to 4 months | 4 to 6 months |
| Licences | Included in Microsoft 365 E3/Business Premium | No specific licence |
| Annual hosting and maintenance | 30,000 to 55,000 AED | 55,000 to 110,000 AED |
| Design and mobile experience | Bound by Microsoft templates | Free, mobile app possible |
| Complex HR workflows | Power Automate, limits reached fast | Built to your rules |
| Authentication | Native Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Entra ID (SSO) |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low, source code delivered |
If the group already holds Microsoft 365 licences for every employee, modernized SharePoint Online is the most cost-effective option. If much of the frontline workforce has no licence, a custom build avoids buying 1,500 additional licences, worth several hundred thousand dirhams per year.
The features that bring employees back
| Feature | Indicative cost (AED) | Expected impact on usage |
|---|---|---|
| Group directory with org chart per subsidiary | 28,000 to 55,000 | High, daily lookups |
| HR requests (leave, salary certificates, advances) | 75,000 to 160,000 | Very high, replaces paper |
| News per subsidiary with targeting | 35,000 to 70,000 | Medium, depends on contributors |
| Document hub (policies, procedures) | 28,000 to 65,000 | Medium |
| Mobile version or PWA app | 45,000 to 110,000 | Essential for frontline staff |
| English and Arabic interface (RTL) | 28,000 to 65,000 | High for operational teams |
| Usage dashboard for internal communications | 15,000 to 32,000 | Steering |
The HR request module is what justifies the budget: a salary certificate processed online instead of a visit to HR saves on average 20 minutes per request, on both the employee and HR side.
Mini case study
Layla, head of internal communications at a retail group in Dubai, has 2,800 employees, of whom 1,200 hold a Microsoft 365 licence. SharePoint Online option: 270,000 AED, but licensing 1,600 frontline workers at about 30 AED per month adds 576,000 AED a year. Custom option with Microsoft 365 sign-in for office staff and employee ID plus SMS code for frontline workers: 520,000 AED and 80,000 AED annual maintenance. The group handles 9,000 HR requests a year: at 40 minutes saved per request (employee and HR), that frees 6,000 hours a year. The custom build wins from year one.
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FAQ
How much does a group intranet rebuild cost in Dubai?
From 180,000 to 320,000 AED with modernized SharePoint Online and from 320,000 to 650,000 AED for a custom build for 2,800 employees. Annual maintenance runs at 10 to 20 % of the initial budget.
Should we keep SharePoint?
Yes if every employee already has a Microsoft 365 licence. Otherwise the cost of extra licences quickly exceeds that of a custom build.
How do we reach 70 % monthly usage?
By including at least two useful HR self-service tasks, a mobile version and one trained contributor per subsidiary. Without practical services, usage often caps at 20 or 30 %.
How long does the project take?
About 5 months on average: 4 weeks of scoping with subsidiaries, 12 weeks of development and a 4-week pilot in one subsidiary before group rollout.
Can the intranet run in Arabic and English?
Yes, right-to-left support adds 28,000 to 65,000 AED. It is often decisive for adoption by operational teams.
Let's scope your project. We compare SharePoint Online and a custom build for you (functional scope, indicative budget of 180,000 to 650,000 AED, 5-month timeline) based on your current licence estate. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
