The operations of an organization involve all activities directly linked to achieving its core mission. In recent years, the role of intranets within organizations has significantly evolved, moving beyond the simple function of making hypermedia information available on web servers or pushing content to users via net broadcasting. Today, intranets are central to streamlining internal communications, managing organizational knowledge, and supporting efficient business operations.
An intranet is a company’s internal, password-protected network that provides all the information-sharing and knowledge-communicating capabilities of the internet but with enhanced security through firewalls. This ensures that only authorized employees or individuals granted access can utilize the intranet. Intranets are invaluable for organizing, communicating, and managing knowledge within an organization, making them a vital component of a company’s broader internet strategy.
Furthermore, intranets have become the foundation for e-business and e-commerce activities, which are extensions of intranets and extranets. These technologies leverage web capabilities to optimize business processes, resulting in more efficient operations. Intranets are now used to develop and deploy critical business applications that support daily operations and managerial decision-making across the internetworked enterprise. Activities such as order processing, inventory control, sales management, and executive information systems are increasingly being implemented on intranets, extranets, and the Internet. This digital integration allows for seamless access to these applications, whether by internal employees or external business partners, through web browsers from any location.
For example, an employee in Singapore can access the same data, information, or codified knowledge as an employee in Canada, ensuring that critical information is always available when and where it is needed. The software supporting these business functions is installed on internet web servers, allowing employees to access and run applications whenever required. This capability highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure in modern organizations, where intranets are not just tools for internal communication but are integral to business strategy and operations.
Intranets: Enhancing Organizational Efficiency and Global Connectivity
