| Simply put, an intranet application is a small internal | | | | structure of the intranet, hardware and software |
| website running within a secured business | | | | that will be used, number of users and their |
| environment. Intranet is basically a network of | | | | access rights, nature of the information available |
| computers in an organization that is used for | | | | on it. |
| sharing of data among the employees. An | | | | - Design and implement intranet applications - |
| intranet-application is also sometimes referred to | | | | having acquired the necessary resources |
| as corporate portal or private business network. | | | | complete the intranet designing, deployment, and |
| Depending on the requirements it needs to cater | | | | other implementation tasks. |
| to, the application can be basic in structure or | | | | - Create awareness about the intranet - promote |
| exhaustive with complex interlinks and data | | | | the intranet among the relevant users so that it is |
| exchanges. Stephen Lawton, a technical editor, | | | | effectively used and the set objectives are |
| introduced the term Intranet in 1995. | | | | fulfilled. |
| A typical intranet application works on HTML and | | | | There are many advantages of intranet |
| TCP/IP, similar to internet. However, the basic | | | | application, foremost being improved productivity |
| difference is that the entire setup runs on LAN | | | | and reduced costs. |
| (Local Area Network). Intranet application | | | | - Faster access to information and updates allows |
| development involves use of hardware with | | | | the employees to make quicker decisions and |
| networking capabilities and software technologies | | | | take actions, thus improving the overall |
| that include web servers, browsers, TCP/IP, | | | | productivity of the organization. |
| Ethernet, and WiFi systems. When the | | | | - It facilitate accurate flow of targeted |
| organization uses internet on the same network, | | | | information across verticals and horizontals, which |
| the application is usually configured behind a | | | | could possibly reduce number of emails floating |
| firewall through a gateway so that unauthorized | | | | around in an organization. |
| access is restricted. | | | | - Important policy documents, training materials, |
| Intranet applications should ideally allow the | | | | company knowledge documents can be |
| employees at levels to access required | | | | maintained on the intranet application and can be |
| information, take decisions, and perform in an | | | | accessed from a single source when required. |
| effective manner. Thus, the intranet application | | | | - There is no need to maintain physical copies of |
| development cycle must be carefully planned and | | | | information or other documents and hence IA |
| accomplished. Following steps can be considered | | | | prove to be cost effective solutions. |
| when designing an intranet application. | | | | Though intranets offer many advantages, it is |
| - Define objectives - set the guidelines for which | | | | required that intranet apps development is robust |
| the intranet is being developed and will be used, | | | | enough to handle multiple users at a time, and at |
| and so on. | | | | that same time ensure that corporate |
| - Prepare the intranet plan - chart out the | | | | confidentiality is maintained. |