DRF Luftrettung, headquartered in Filderstadt, is one of Europe’s largest air rescue organizations. With operations across 29 stations in Germany, the non-profit organization provides critical emergency rescue services and facilitates medical transfers between hospitals. Additionally, it manages international patient repatriation using its own fleet of ambulance aircraft. The organization continuously invests in research and development to advance emergency medical care and air rescue operations.

Connecting a Dispersed Workforce

At DRF Luftrettung, every minute counts when it comes to saving human lives. The employees work throughout Germany and beyond its borders. But without a centralized communication platform, employees faced several challenges:

• Scattered Information – Important updates were difficult to distribute efficiently.
• Limited Collaboration – Teams across different locations struggled to share knowledge and stay aligned.
•  Lack of Engagement – Employees had no central space to connect with the organization and each other.

These issues slowed down internal processes, reduced transparency, and made it harder for employees to stay informed.

The solution? A company-wide intranet to unify information, improve engagement, and streamline communication.

Implementing a Company-Wide Digital workplace solution with SharePoint Modern

To craft a solution tailored to DRF Luftrettung’s needs, we conducted employee surveys and interviews to understand user requirements.

A kickoff workshop provided a structured approach to defining objectives and expectations. The project was then rolled out in several phases:

01. Strategic Planning & Prototype Development

• A decentralized editorial structure was designed to allow for dynamic content updates from multiple departments.
• Pre-filled prototypes were developed and iteratively refined through agile two-week sprints.

02. Technical Implementation & User-Centric Design

• A user-friendly intranet was developed with intuitive navigation and direct access to work-relevant tools.
• Key integrations, such as Microsoft 365 tools, enabled seamless collaboration and workflow optimization.
• News, company-wide updates, and department-specific content were incorporated to ensure information accessibility for all employees.

03. Employee Engagement & Change Management

• A paper prototyping workshop was conducted to create intranet pages tailored to different employee personas, ensuring relevance for all user groups.
• To drive adoption, a structured onboarding and training process was implemented four weeks before the intranet’s official launch.
• Leadership was actively involved in the communication process to encourage employee participation.

A Digital Hub for Seamless Collaboration

The new SharePoint Modern intranet transformed internal communication at DRF Luftrettung by providing a single point of access for all company-related news, tools, and contacts. Key benefits included:

• Faster and More Transparent Communication – Company-wide updates and departmental news are now published in real-time, ensuring that all employees stay informed.
• Stronger Employee Engagement – The decentralized editorial structure allows teams across different locations to contribute and engage with content actively.
• Increased Operational Efficiency – Integrated Microsoft 365 tools streamlined workflows and facilitated knowledge sharing.
• Greater Organizational Alignment – The intranet reinforces DRF Luftrettung’s brand claim, “Menschen. Leben. Retten.”, aligning with core values such as safety, openness, and professionalism.

Employee-Centric Digital Transformation

The intranet was not just a technical upgrade—it became an essential part of DRF Luftrettung’s digital workplace, strengthening the connection between employees, teams, and leadership.

Their platform features:

• Personalized content and quick access to essential resources.
• Networking features, including social updates and collaboration spaces.
• A visual language that enhances employer branding and company culture.

By aligning with the employee lifecycle, the intranet provides clear structure, transparency, and engagement opportunities, ensuring that all employees—whether in administration or on active duty—are part of the digital transformation journey.