What
is an Intranet?
Think
of it as a mini Internet for use within the confines of a company.
What distinguishes an Intranet from the freely accessible Internet
is that Intranets are private and secure from external access.
Even under the best of conditions, sharing information among different hardware platforms, file formats and software is not easy. Using web technologies, Intranets solve this problem by making internal communication and collaboration so much easier.
Intranets use HTML to create documents and transmit information across your existing networks. Information is stored on one or more servers and accessed by using a web browser. This self-contained, miniature Internet can have all the same features, such as individual homepages, forums and email, but access is restricted to company employees.
Why
have an Intranet?
Companies
thrive on information, yet access to it is not always easy. With an
Intranet, there is an enterprise-wide repository; an easy way to consult
annual reports, benefits handbooks, schedule a conference room, locate
an expense report form and review company holiday policies. This information
is available 24-7 to anyone who has access, whether on the road, working
at home or in a satellite office. No more waiting for the answer to
a question as it moves through traditional company channels. More
sophisticated Intranet features let employees fill out forms online,
consult visual archives and order supplies.
The benefits and implications of an Intranet are enormous. Many companies spend great amounts distributing printed documents such as handbooks or reports. By making these documents available electronically, expenses are dramatically reduced. Another advantage is the ease of updating information. For example, telephone directories can be placed onto an Intranet so phone numbers can be easily searched for and changed with just a few keystrokes.
Intranets are not just restricted to text documents. As they run over LAN (Local Area Networks) they do not suffer from the speed restrictions of the Internet. Video clips, animation and audio can be delivered to employees' desktops.
To discuss Intranets in more detail please contact us.
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