Intranet

The intranet is a private network that belongs to a particular organization. It is designed for the exclusive use of an organization and its associates, such as employees, customers, and other authorized people. It offers a secure platform to convey information and share data with authorized users. Confidential information, database, links, forms, and applications can be made available to the staff through the intranet. So, it is like a private internet or an internal website that is operating within an organization to provide its employees access to its information and records. Each computer in intranet is identified by a unique IP Address.

Some of the benefits of the intranet are:

• It streamlines communication that enables the company to share its data, information, and other resources among employees without any delay. The entire staff can receive company's announcements, ask questions, and access internal documents. 
• Information is shared in real-time, or updates are reflected immediately to all the authorized users.
• Modern intranets also offer a mobile app that allows employees to stay connected on the go.
• It offers a testing platform for new ideas before they are uploaded on the company's internet webpage. 
  

 

How the Intranet Works:

Intranet basically comprises three components: a web server, an intranet platform, and applications. The web server is hardware that contains all the intranet software and data. It manages all requests for files hosted over the server and finds the requested files and then delivers it to the user's computer.

The intranet platform, which is software, allows communication tools, collaboration apps, and databases to work seamlessly with each other. It is tailored to the specific needs of a business.

The applications are required to enable users to work smoothly. They are the computing tools that allow users to do their work, communicate, and coordinate with each other and retrieve and store information.

Disadvantages of Intranet:

• It may be costly to set up an Intranet due to hidden costs and complexity.
• If the firewall does not work properly or not installed, it can be hacked by someone
• High-security passwords are required, which cannot be guessed by outside users
• Sometimes document duplication may happen which can cause confusion among employees
• You have to give access to multiple users, so you may find it hard to control this network.

 

Examples of Intranet:

Educational Intranet: It is generally found in a school, college, etc., For example, a school intranet is intended to allow teaching staff to communicate with each other and get information about upcoming updates such as exam dates, schools functions, holidays, etc.

Real Estate Intranet: The intranet of a real estate company allows its sales team to have access to all important brochures, templates, forms that they may need to close a sale. Employees also remain up to date with important events like meetings, training, sessions, etc. It can also be used to share motivational messages with the team.

Health Care Intranet: In the healthcare sector, in big hospitals, the Intranet helps health care professionals to work as a team to provide proper care and treatment to their patients. Doctors can share reports, treatment procedures, bills and claims can be settled easily without moving from one department to another department.