Intranet/Extranet

Q: What is Intranet?

There is no technical difference between the Internet and the intranet, except that not everybody is allowed to connect to an intranet. Intranet is an application of the Internet technology to a closed network. It provides a relatively cost efficient way to connect and manage corporate networks and distributed information. Intranet uses Internet-derived communication protocols (TCP/IP), networking (IP network) and user interface (Web browsers, emails etc.).

The surprising speed by which intranets has grown among corporate users demonstrates the strength of the Internet networking. Several surveys contend that corporate intranet expenditure far out-paces the level of spending on consumer-oriented Web businesses (Web stores).

The compatibility of corporate intranets with the Internet will be a significant factor in the digital economy. In a sense, producer and seller information is readily accessible by outsiders, making it easy to manage and disseminate information to consumers.

Resources for Managing Intranet
  • Updating changed information: Cognisoft's IntelliServe
  • Workflow administration: ActionWorkflow's Metro; Netscape's Collabra; Open Text's Livelink; Ultimus' WebFlow.
  • Web management services: NetManage's windows-based IntraChange; First Floor Software's InfoPilot; Open Market's Unix-based OM-Axcess
  • Directory services:
    Intranets use domain names that may not be recognizable by outside servers. For identifying servers, the most popular solution is to use Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). LDAP was developed to handle multiple, incompatible directory systems. See Netscape's Netscape Directory Service based on LDAP; Microsoft's NT Directory Server.

Q: What can we do with intranet?

The key aspect of intranet in corporate application is in the easiness in process integration. For example, a company with a mobile sales force has to manage continuous inputs and data coming in from the field and integrate them into manufacturing, supply management, and delivery services. Large corporations have implemented an elaborate IS technologies integrating manufacturing information systems, supply logistics management, sales and customer asset management, corporate finance and human resources management, etc. They will no longer be out of reach for small firms as the cost of such a system based on intranet is much lower. Interoperable systems will be available at lower prices.

In addition, conventional applications of various information systems and technologies will acquire new dimensional functions. Interactions needed in each process in the value chain can be integrated: e.g., consumer inputs or reports by sales representatives can be connected to manufacturing and inventorying processes (product customization). These can be done on a non-Internet networks (e.g. elaborate EDI system), but intranets offer cost advantages and easy access. Business information management can now become truly universal and multi-functional.

Internet Resources