Intranets
Introduction

Like other internal networks, an Intranet is accessible only to your employees; the difference with an Intranet is that it is Web-based and uses Internet technologies and protocols (or rules) to create your own miniature internal version of the Internet. Intranets bring the power, flexibility, and ease-of-use of the Internet and WWW technologies right inside your business.

Through an Intranet you can easily share documents, communicate via eMail, share applications such as calendars or contact lists, even access information from a remote location. You can do all this through a single easy-to-use, point-and-click, piece of software you are probably already familiar with - your Web browser.

Using this technology you can access and share information much more easily and cheaply than ever before. An Intranet enables you to communicate, co-ordinate, and manage, staff and other resources more effectively, and offers new ways of working. Although usually associated with large companies it can be a valuable business tool even for an SME.

The concept can extend outside your company to allow business partners -such as suppliers and vendors - access to your network and business information. These are known as Extranets.