In intranet is an internal network that implements internet and web technologies. Contrast this with an extranet, which is an intranet extended outside the organisation to a business partner, with transmissions moving over the internet or across private facilities.
Organisations evolving an intranet integrated with the internet may well find themselves involved with an intranet.
One recurring theme for the future of intranets and extranets is the need to move beyond information publishing applications into enterprise information portal-enabled applications.
The companies are planning more inquiry processing and transaction processing applications that tie the internet, intranets and extranets to mainframe and other legacy systems and databases.
Though such applications are more costly and difficult to develop, many companies are forging ahead.
These intranet using companies are in the process of web-enabling operational and managerial support applications, including online transaction processing, database integration and executive information and decision support.
An extranet provides an access path for contractors and suppliers to components of the local computer system resources. Corporate users are communicating over an intranet.
The implementation of an extranet can be effective in developing tighter linkages in supply chain management and customer relationship management.
Intranet and Extranet
