Presented By:Pankaj Vashisht Vikas

An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. It is the connection of computer networks in a local area. An intranet can be understood as a private analog of the Internet, or as a private extension of the Internet confined to an organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network within an organization. Sometimes, the term refers only to the organization's internal website, but may be a more extensive part of the organization's information technology infrastructure.

Most of today's modern businesses are adopting intranet technology due its competitive advantages in dealing with the corporate information essential for any business. The various benefits of intranet to business can be broadly classified as under:

Communication: Intranet is extremely useful for communication and collaboration between the employees for successful functioning of any business organization. Intranet provides this to businesses in the form of tools like discussion groups, Intranet forms, and bulletin boards. Using intranet tools help in conveying and distributing necessary information or documents among the employees of an organization. This results in easy communication and sound relationship between the employees and top level management. Today, many business houses working on projects use intranet tools, discussion forms, chats, emails, electronic bulletin boards, etc. that help in communicating between different departments of an organization.

Time Saving: All businesses know the importance of time. Using Intranet technology allows to distribute valuable information among the employees in a fast and efficient manner. Intranet saves time by interactivity, i.e employees can access information at a relevant times that suit them, rather than sending and waiting for email and email replies.

Productivity: Intranet technology provides fast information to employees and helps to perform their various tasks with responsibility. An employee can access any data from any database of the organization without wastage of time. Employees working on projects can collaborate easily, ensuring better and faster results.

Reduce Costs: An important benefit of Intranet is that it is cost-effective. This can be attributed to the fact that it is paperless. As Intranet supports online publishing, it definitely cuts down the printing and distribution costs as well. All the documents of the company can be published through the Intranet using web pages, as compared to spending money on printing documents. The information can be accessed from the respective workstations of the employees. Intranet results in reduced costs for corporate training, administrative and operational purposes.

Incorporated and Distributed Computing Environment: Intranet supports an active distribution of stored information through different types of operating systems and computer types, from which the employees can access information. Intranet results in distributing information at a lower cost due to the web architecture feature of intranet.

Increases Collaboration: As intranet allows all employees to access data, this helps build team work within the organization. Also certain contents of intranet like declaration section, help desk, FAQ, handbook of employee, etc., aids in collaboration among the employees.

Rich in Format: Intranet allows employees to view documents in various rich format applications as well as video and audio. Multimedia programs can be used with intranet as well, allowing for better communication and information being shared very fast.

Apart from these benefits, Intranet also promotes equal corporate culture in information viewing. Intranet helps in maintaining good communication between different departments and also facilitates an immediate updation of operations. It provides teleconferencing software for interactive communication within the organization. Implementing Intranet in a business organization helps save significant time and money in the long run. Truly a boon to all business organizations, the benefits of intranet to business has made it a necessity rather than a luxury, for most organizations.

Organizations everywhere are attempting to implement new, more efficient information technology solutions to common business needs. One of the key enabling technologies is an intranet: web-based applications running on the LAN to collect and display company information. This is one of the most versatile, cost-effective ways to support many business needs. Here are some examples of business applications that can be supported by an intranet (in conjunction with other server-side software such as a database):

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Strategic Decision Support Enterprise resource management On-Line Analytical Protocol (OLAP) for data analysis Financial data reporting system Time & leave system Procurement and supply system Travel system Employee skills management, teaming Balanced Scorecard data collection and reporting Knowledge management, metadata development Y2K status database Performance-based promotion decision support

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Promotional presentations (multimedia) Customer support Customer surveys

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Distributed development teamwork (detachments, partners) Process control Project scheduling and task tracking Calendars for people and meeting rooms Process monitoring and data collection Productivity monitoring Activity-Based Costing Business Process Improvement support Signature authentication, approvals and tracking

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Secure communications Security testing and monitoring Registration form Internet telephone Video and teleconferencing Anonymous channel ("rumor mill") Threaded discussions Chat server Push technology Groupware, e.g. NetMeeting Web email

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News CAD viewer & server File servers Forms server Document management, library Research support using Intelligent Agents and profiles Search tools Server statistics & reports

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Online training Online testing and certification Collaborative training

In light of this huge range of applications, it is no wonder that intranets are becoming increasingly important in the life and growth of corporations. Government agencies, too, are beginning to add intranet technology to their existing networks to enhance communications and outreach. This trend can be expected to grow rapidly.

An extranet is a computer network that allows controlled access from the outside, for specific business or educational purposes. In a business-to-business context, an extranet can be viewed as an extension of an organisation's intranet that is extended to users outside the organisation, usually partners, vendors, and suppliers, in isolation from all other Internet users. In contrast, businessto-consumer (B2C) models involve known servers of one or more companies, communicating with previously unknown consumer users. An extranet is similar to a DMZ in that it provides access to needed services for channel partners, without granting access to an organization's entire network.

An "intranet" is the generic term for a collection of private computer networks within an organization. An "extranet" is a computer network that allows controlled access from the outside for specific business or educational purposes. Intranets and extranets are communication tools designed to enable easy information sharing within workgroups. Intranets have also contrasted with extranets. While intranets are generally restricted to employees of the organization, extranets may also be accessed by customers, suppliers, or other approved parties. Extranets extend a private network onto the Internet with special provisions for authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA protocol).