Basically a private web based network is called an intranet. It is safe and protected behind a firewall that keeps unauthorized personnel out and it uses all of the technology of the Internet. Companies have been using them for years as a method of streamlining their internal communications.
A web browser can run on any type of computer which is why the need to maintain multiple paper copies of documents that are constantly changing can be eliminated. You can maintain documents such as training manuals, internal phone books, procedure manuals, benefits information, employee handbooks, requisition forms, etc. as electronic documents and updated at almost no cost. What's also significant is the savings in paper and other material costs.
However, the ability to display information in the same format to every computer being used is considered the most powerful aspect of an intranet. That allows all of the different software and databases a company uses to be available to all employees without any special equipment or software being installed on their systems.
With this universal availability of information, there is an era of collaboration unlike anything ever seen before. Because colleagues can now share information readily using the company intranet, the departmental barriers that exist in many companies are slowly breaking down.
There are options for implementing an intranet
A variety of options is available for setting up an intranet. They include building your own intranet technology, purchasing and installing third-party software, or purchasing access through an extranet ASP. When it comes to the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, here is a quick summary.
When building it yourself What are the advantages? You will have complete control of user interface design as well as have the ability to customize level of functionality, integration into internal systems, and direct access to user activity.
Disadvantages. There is commitment of internal staff for 6 months to a year for planning, execution, review and implementation, and an ongoing commitment of internal staff for internal and client support, hosting, maintenance and upgrades as well as high up-front development cost and it also requires staff expertise in the development of extranets.
Purchasing/installing third-party software Pros. There is the ability to choose functions and to customize user interface, more rapid implementation compared to building it yourself in the proven track-record of packaged solution.
Cons. Aside from commitment of internal staff for customization and implementation; on-going commitment of internal staff for internal and client support, hosting, maintenance and upgrades; and extensive internal and client training, there is also high up-front purchase cost.
Using a Service Provider (ASP) Pros. In the proven track-record of the application and low cost of entry and predictable cost over time, there are also virtually immediate implementation, no commitment of internal staff for internal support, hosting, or maintenance, and upgrades at no cost by extranet experts, and savings on internal server use.
Disadvantages. There is less freedom in user interface design as well as fixed functionality.
In the final analysis... Depending on how you work, the technical and financial resources at your disposal, and how rapidly you need to move forward is the approach that you choose.
A web browser can run on any type of computer which is why the need to maintain multiple paper copies of documents that are constantly changing can be eliminated. You can maintain documents such as training manuals, internal phone books, procedure manuals, benefits information, employee handbooks, requisition forms, etc. as electronic documents and updated at almost no cost. What's also significant is the savings in paper and other material costs.
However, the ability to display information in the same format to every computer being used is considered the most powerful aspect of an intranet. That allows all of the different software and databases a company uses to be available to all employees without any special equipment or software being installed on their systems.
With this universal availability of information, there is an era of collaboration unlike anything ever seen before. Because colleagues can now share information readily using the company intranet, the departmental barriers that exist in many companies are slowly breaking down.
There are options for implementing an intranet
A variety of options is available for setting up an intranet. They include building your own intranet technology, purchasing and installing third-party software, or purchasing access through an extranet ASP. When it comes to the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, here is a quick summary.
When building it yourself What are the advantages? You will have complete control of user interface design as well as have the ability to customize level of functionality, integration into internal systems, and direct access to user activity.
Disadvantages. There is commitment of internal staff for 6 months to a year for planning, execution, review and implementation, and an ongoing commitment of internal staff for internal and client support, hosting, maintenance and upgrades as well as high up-front development cost and it also requires staff expertise in the development of extranets.
Purchasing/installing third-party software Pros. There is the ability to choose functions and to customize user interface, more rapid implementation compared to building it yourself in the proven track-record of packaged solution.
Cons. Aside from commitment of internal staff for customization and implementation; on-going commitment of internal staff for internal and client support, hosting, maintenance and upgrades; and extensive internal and client training, there is also high up-front purchase cost.
Using a Service Provider (ASP) Pros. In the proven track-record of the application and low cost of entry and predictable cost over time, there are also virtually immediate implementation, no commitment of internal staff for internal support, hosting, or maintenance, and upgrades at no cost by extranet experts, and savings on internal server use.
Disadvantages. There is less freedom in user interface design as well as fixed functionality.
In the final analysis... Depending on how you work, the technical and financial resources at your disposal, and how rapidly you need to move forward is the approach that you choose.
