Intranets and Extranets

Intranets and extranets are a popular way of organizing company files and deciding who is allowed to access them.  While the intranet and extranet are available to different people, they are very similar to one another.  Both give a company a competitive advantage over competitors that don’t have them.

            An intranet is an internal computer network that organizes company files and allows employees to access them.  It allows for employees to share and work on the same project at the same time, in their own offices.  An intranet connects to an employee’s computer using the Internet.  Because the files are on the intranet, they remain private, and inaccessible to outsiders. With today’s world-shrinking technology, you are not longer limited to doing business only with local customers.  Your customers can now be anywhere in the world.  So can your competitors.  Fortunately, intranets keep all employees everywhere aware of customers and competition.  [1]

There are many benefits for a company to have an intranet.  One benefit is that it saves time.  [2]  If an employee needs a document that another person has, they no longer need to figure out who has it, and then hunt that person down.  Another benefit is that an intranet can reduce cost.  [2]  If employees can access files from an internal network, a company may not need to print out a copy of their employee handbook.  If an employee has a question he/she can access it off the network.  Finally an intranet can increase collaboration within a company.  [2]  A company can install an internal messaging system, similar to an instant message, onto their network. This will allow employees to talk to one another about their work and continue to work at the same time.

            An extranet is also an internal computer network, however some outsiders are allowed access to part of their internal system.  The most common type of outsiders that would be outside allowed to access a company is either a customer or a supplier.  An extranet allows elements of the supply chain – the disruption channel from suppliers through manufacturing process, to distributors, realtors and consumers to be integrated.  An inventory system, for example, can be liked directly to suppliers, so that it automatically places an order for raw materials or components when the stock on hand falls below a certain level. [3] 

            In conclusion, an intranet and extranet can be very beneficial to a business.  They allow the company to share its files with all employees and a few outsiders (given they are allowed access).  Both an intranet and extranet allow for the company to have a competitive advantage over its competitors that don’t.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/1998/04/20/smallb4.html?page=all

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-intranet-to-business.html

http://www.ehow.com/info_12028071_advantages-extranet.html