Microsoft Viva Connections Consulting | Employee Engagement Platform
EPC Group configures Microsoft Viva Connections to build a personalized employee experience inside Microsoft Teams. We design dashboards, customize news feeds, deploy Viva Insights for workplace analytics, and integrate Viva Learning with your existing LMS — all with an adoption strategy that drives actual usage.
Key Facts
- Microsoft Viva is an employee experience platform built into Microsoft Teams.
- Viva Connections is the intranet and communications hub within Viva.
- EPC Group has 6,500+ SharePoint implementations — the foundation for Viva Connections.
- Microsoft Solutions Partner with Modern Work and Data & AI designations.
- Microsoft consulting since 1997. Founded 1997, headquartered Houston, TX.
Microsoft Viva Connections Consulting Services
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Transform your employee experience with Microsoft Viva Connections. Create a personalized gateway to your digital workplace that keeps every employee informed, engaged, and connected from anywhere.
Comprehensive Viva Connections Solutions
End-to-end consulting services to transform your employee experience with Microsoft Viva Connections.
Intranet Modernization
Transform Your Digital Workplace
Modernize your legacy SharePoint intranet into a dynamic, engaging Viva Connections experience. Consolidate disparate systems into a unified employee gateway that lives in Microsoft Teams.
Dashboard Configuration
Personalized Employee Hubs
Design and configure personalized dashboards that surface the right tools, resources, and information for each employee role. Create targeted experiences for different audiences across your organization.
Feed Customization
Curated Content Experiences
Configure and optimize the Viva Connections Feed to deliver relevant company news, announcements, and Yammer conversations. Ensure employees see content that matters to their role and location.
Mobile Experience
Frontline & Remote Workers
Optimize Viva Connections for mobile-first employees including frontline workers, field staff, and remote teams. Ensure critical information and tools are accessible on any device.
Viva Connections Features We Implement
Leverage the full power of Viva Connections with our expert configuration and customization services.
Personalized Dashboards
Role-based dashboards surface the right tools, tasks, and information for each employee in Microsoft Teams.
Company News Feed
Aggregated feed of SharePoint news, Viva Engage posts, and Stream videos keeps employees informed.
Quick Actions
One-click access to common tasks like submitting time off, viewing paystubs, or accessing IT support.
Audience Targeting
Deliver targeted content and dashboards based on department, location, role, or custom attributes.
Mobile-First Design
Native mobile experience in the Teams app ensures frontline and remote workers stay connected.
Resource Links
Centralized access to frequently used applications, tools, and resources across your digital workplace.
Push Notifications
Targeted notifications for critical announcements, approvals, and time-sensitive information.
Multi-Language Support
Serve global workforces with content translation and localized experiences for different regions.
Drive Engagement Across Your Organization
Viva Connections transforms how employees connect with your organization, resources, and each other.
Unified Employee Gateway
Consolidate scattered intranets, portals, and tools into a single entry point within Microsoft Teams. Employees access everything they need without leaving their collaboration hub.
Increased Engagement
Personalized content and easy access to resources boost employee engagement. Keep your workforce informed, connected, and aligned with organizational goals.
Frontline Empowerment
Reach deskless and frontline workers who lack traditional PC access. Mobile-optimized dashboards and push notifications ensure no employee is left behind.
Faster Onboarding
New employees find critical resources, training, and contacts instantly. Reduce time-to-productivity with a welcoming, organized digital workplace experience.
How Organizations Use Viva Connections
From corporate communications to frontline empowerment, Viva Connections serves diverse organizational needs.
Corporate Communications
Deliver executive messages, company news, and organizational updates to every employee through personalized feeds and targeted notifications.
HR & People Services
Centralize HR resources, benefits information, time-off requests, and employee self-service tools in one accessible location.
Frontline Workers
Empower deskless employees with mobile access to schedules, training, safety protocols, and team communications.
Onboarding Experience
Create welcoming onboarding journeys that help new hires find resources, meet colleagues, and get productive faster.
Global Workforce
Serve international teams with localized content, multi-language support, and region-specific resources.
Culture & Recognition
Showcase company culture, celebrate employee achievements, and foster belonging through community features.
Built on Your SharePoint Foundation
Viva Connections builds on your current SharePoint Online investment. It uses your home site as the base for the employee experience.
It offers smooth integration with:
- Microsoft Teams
- Viva Engage
- Third-party systems
SharePoint Online
Leverages your existing SharePoint home site as the foundation for Viva Connections.
Microsoft Teams
Native integration surfaces Viva Connections directly in the Teams app for all employees.
Viva Engage (Yammer)
Integrate community conversations and leadership communications into the employee feed.
Power Platform
Build custom dashboard cards with Power Apps and automate workflows with Power Automate.
Microsoft Stream
Surface corporate videos, training content, and town halls directly in the feed.
Third-Party Systems
Connect HR systems, ServiceNow, Workday, SAP, and other business applications.
Key Stats: Viva Connections Impact
Ready to transform your employee experience with Viva Connections?
Get a DemoProven Approach to Viva Connections Success
Our structured methodology ensures successful deployments that drive adoption and deliver measurable business value.
Discovery & Strategy
Assess your current intranet landscape, employee personas, and content strategy. Define success metrics and create a roadmap for Viva Connections deployment.
Design & Architecture
Design the Viva Connections experience including home site structure, dashboard layouts, navigation, and branding aligned with your corporate identity.
Build & Configure
Configure SharePoint home site, build dashboard cards, set up audience targeting, and integrate third-party systems. Deploy to pilot groups for validation.
Launch & Adoption
Execute organization-wide rollout with comprehensive change management, training programs, and champion networks to drive adoption.
Optimize & Evolve
Continuously improve the Viva Connections experience based on analytics, user feedback, and evolving business needs. Quarterly reviews ensure ongoing value.
Your Trusted Viva Connections Partner
With SharePoint Since 1997 and Microsoft 365 expertise, EPC Group delivers successful Viva Connections implementations for enterprise organizations.
Microsoft Solutions Partner (former Gold Partner, 2000–2022)
Certified expertise with direct access to Microsoft product teams for complex implementations.
Enterprise Experience
Proven success deploying Viva Connections for Fortune 500 organizations with 100K+ employees.
Compliance Expertise
Deep knowledge of HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, and FedRAMP requirements for regulated industries.
Holistic Approach
We integrate Viva Connections with your broader SharePoint and Microsoft 365 digital workplace strategy.
Ready to Transform Your Employee Experience?
Schedule a free consultation with our Viva Connections experts and discover how to create a personalized, engaging digital workplace for every employee.
Response within 24 hours. No obligation.
Related Services
Explore our other Microsoft Viva and SharePoint consulting services.
Knowledge Discovery After Viva Topics
Viva Topics was retired on February 22, 2025; SharePoint knowledge sites, Microsoft Search and Copilot grounding carry knowledge discovery now.
Learn MoreSharePoint Consulting
Build the SharePoint home site foundation that powers Viva Connections.
Learn MoreSharePoint Intranet Design
Modern intranet design services to complement your Viva Connections experience.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is Microsoft Viva and how does it benefit organizations?
Microsoft Viva is an employee experience platform integrated into Microsoft Teams covering Viva Connections (company communications), Viva Insights (workplace analytics), Viva Learning (training), and Viva Engage (community); Viva Topics was retired on February 22, 2025. It improves engagement, productivity, and retention.
How does EPC Group help with Microsoft Viva deployment?
EPC Group provides Viva strategy, deployment, customization, and adoption services. We configure Viva Connections dashboards, set up Viva Insights for manager and leader reporting, integrate Viva Learning with existing LMS platforms, and plan knowledge discovery on Microsoft Search and Copilot over SharePoint now that Viva Topics is retired.
How much does a Microsoft Viva implementation cost?
Viva implementations are quoted as a fixed fee after a 30-minute scoping call; EPC Group does not publish price ranges. A single module (for example Connections or Insights) is a smaller scope than a multi-module enterprise rollout with change management, and the fee follows the scope. Viva is included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses, so the primary cost is consulting and customization.
Microsoft Viva Connections Consulting
EPC Group configures Microsoft Viva Connections to create a personalized employee experience within Microsoft Teams. We focus on several key areas:
- Designing dashboards
- Customizing news feeds
- Deploying Viva Insights for workplace analytics
- Integrating Viva Learning with your existing LMS
All of this is supported by an adoption strategy that encourages real usage.
What is Microsoft Viva?
Microsoft Viva is an employee experience platform built inside Microsoft Teams. It covers five modules, each serving a different need.
- Viva Connections — company news, announcements, and intranet hub.
- Viva Insights — workplace analytics for individuals, managers, and leaders.
- Viva Learning — training and learning content inside Teams.
- Viva Topics — retired February 22, 2025; knowledge discovery now runs through Microsoft Search and Copilot over SharePoint content.
- Viva Engage — employee communities and social connection (built on Yammer).
What EPC Group delivers
EPC Group configures the entire Viva suite. We begin with Viva Connections, the main intranet for most employees. After that, we add analytics and learning features that fit your specific needs.
- Viva Connections dashboards — custom dashboard cards for news, tasks, HR links, and tools.
- Viva Insights setup — manager and leader reporting on meeting patterns, focus time, and wellbeing.
- Viva Learning integration — connect your existing LMS (LinkedIn Learning, SAP, Cornerstone) to Teams.
- Knowledge discovery after Viva Topics — SharePoint knowledge sites, Microsoft Search and Copilot grounding replace the retired topic cards.
- Adoption strategy — communication plans, launch campaigns, and usage measurement.
Viva Connections setup process
Viva Connections requires a SharePoint home site as its foundation. EPC Group handles the full setup from SharePoint home site configuration through dashboard card deployment.
- Step 1 — SharePoint home site: designate or build a modern SharePoint site as the Viva Connections home site in the SharePoint admin center.
- Step 2 — Global navigation: configure the megamenu navigation so employees see the right links in the Connections hub.
- Step 3 — Dashboard cards: build adaptive card extensions (ACEs) for HR portals, IT helpdesk, task lists, and announcements.
- Step 4 — News feed: configure news sources and target news to specific audiences using SharePoint audience targeting.
- Step 5 — Teams app deployment: publish the Viva Connections app to the Teams app bar for all employees via Teams admin center policies.
Why SharePoint expertise matters for Viva
Viva Connections runs on SharePoint. Its performance, permissions, and content quality all depend on how well your SharePoint environment is configured.
EPC Group has successfully completed over 6,500 SharePoint implementations. We understand the unique challenges that can arise, including:
- Audience targeting
- Megamenu depth limits
- Multilingual hub setup
- Permission inheritance models that influence what employees see in their Connections dashboard
- 6,500+ SharePoint implementations completed.
- Microsoft Solutions Partner — Modern Work designation.
- Errin O'Connor was on the original SharePoint Beta Team (Project Tahoe).
- FedRAMP-aligned SharePoint experience for government clients.
Frequently asked questions
What is Viva Connections?
Viva Connections is the intranet hub integrated with Microsoft Teams. It provides access to:
- Company news
- Announcements
- Dashboard cards (HR links, IT helpdesk, tasks)
- Personalized content
All of this is available within the Teams interface that employees use every day.
Does Viva Connections replace SharePoint?
No. Viva Connections operates on SharePoint. It utilizes a SharePoint home site as its backend. SharePoint handles the content, permissions, and pages.
Viva Connections is the Teams-native interface that delivers this content to employees.
What license is required for Viva Connections?
Viva Connections is part of Microsoft 365 F1, F3, E1, E3, and E5 plans. There is no extra license fee for the basic experience.
However, to access full Viva suite features, you need Microsoft Viva suite licensing. These features include:
- Insights analytics
- Learning content
- Topics AI
How long does a Viva Connections deployment take?
A standard Viva Connections deployment, which includes the home site, dashboard cards, and Teams publish, takes about 4 to 8 weeks.
A full Viva suite deployment, featuring Insights, Learning LMS integration, and adoption programs, typically runs for 3 to 5 months.
Can Viva Connections work for frontline workers?
Yes, Viva Connections supports Microsoft 365 F1 and F3 licenses, which are designed for frontline workers. It offers several features that enhance accessibility and usability:
- Dashboard cards can display shift schedules (Viva Connections + Shifts).
- Safety forms can be created using Power Apps.
- Task assignments are easily accessible from a mobile device.
How do you measure success for Viva Connections?
EPC Group monitors adoption using various tools. We analyze Teams app usage reports, SharePoint analytics, and Viva Insights engagement signals.
Our approach includes:
- Tracking page views and unique viewers in SharePoint
- Setting baseline metrics at launch
- Providing monthly reports for the first 90 days
Deploy Viva Connections for your workforce
Talk to an EPC Group Modern Work architect about your Viva deployment. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a 30-minute discovery call.