Developing an Internet Strategy For Your Company (Part 3)
Do you need an intranet, and how can it help make you more profitable?In Part 1 of this series we looked at what the Internet is and how it effects business. In Part 2 last week, we developed our own strategy for deciding if and when to take advantage of the Internet as a business tool. This week, in Part 3 of the series, we will review what are sometimes called "The Internet behind a firewall" - intranets.
Intranets. What are they? Do you need one? How do you get or make an intranet for your organization? And, most importantly, how do they help you make your organization better and more profitable?
What is an intranet?
An intranet is a private network of computers, connected together to share information and resources within a closed organization. (If the network includes some regulated external participation it is called an Extranet, and we shall discuss those next week in Part 4.)
Normally an intranet uses physical connections to link its networked computers. This can be by done by a variety of copper cabling methods or, more recently, fiber-optic cable. If the computers to be connected are separated by large distance, telephone lines may be leased from the phone company to provide the connections.
It is possible also to use the Internet backbone to connect some of the computers in your intranet. As long as your network is connected BY the Internet, but not TO the Internet it is still an intranet.
Does your company need an intranet?
First of all, you may already have one, but call it by another name. If your organization has a LAN or a WAN or has some of its computers connected together already, you have at least a rudimentary intranet. You would only have to repurpose it.
How do you implement an intranet for your organization?
There are a lot of companies that will design and build an intranet for you. You have probably been approached by several of them already. You may even have the necessary talent in your organization already.
However, before you talk to any of them, visit the "Complete Intranet Resources" site. As its name says, this site has everything you need to know about intranets. Their FAQ (frequently asked questions) page includes such basics as "what is an intranet", but also tackles the difference between an intranet solution and a groupware solution.
Be sure to read their "10 Intranet Myths" list. It debunks popular misconceptions such as 'Intranets are cheap' and 'Intranets are (only) for BIG organizations' and eight more. There is even an article about "Measuring Intranet ROI".
As you implement your intranet, make sure it serves its business purpose. Don't allow your employees or contractors to put things on your intranet just to have them there. Intranets are not an "MIS thing", they are a business tool, and should function toward that end.
In Part 4 next week we will examine Extranets. How can these latest wrinkles in the Internet/intranet technology actually reduce your cost of doing business while, at the same time, make your organization more agile? Come back next week to find out.
John Reh--
If you have any questions or comments about this article, or if there is an issue you would like us to address, please email them to me or post them on our Conference Room Bulletin Board to share with the entire group.
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