INTRANET

INTRANET
According to Prof. Indranil Sen Gupta, An Intranet is a private computer network that uses internet protocols, network connectivity and possibly the public telecommunication system to securely share part of an organization’s information or operations with its employees.

It basically uses the same concepts and technologies of the internet (that is the client and server) running on the internet protocol suite and the access of information is typically through browsers example: fire fox, opera mini and internet explorer.

According to P. Jain, M. Kulhari and S. Kumar, Intranet is the internal company network that uses internet standards (like HTML, HTTP, and IP protocols) and software. Intranet is accessed only by authorized persons, especially members or employees of the organization.

According to MD Nuruddin and K. Jain, An Intranet delivers collaboration and coordination to employees around the clock. The communication system is designed by technical staff and the focus is on the message not the media.

It normally runs in a client or server environment and a local area network configuration. It is separated from other networks by firewalls, a means of preventing unauthorized access to the company’s internal data or leaks of sensitive company information.

According to Mohammed Nadeem, Intranets uses the same web interface but up firewalls (a special security software) so that only employees could access the company’s web site. It is an internal organizational internet.

An Intranet is also an internal corporate network built using Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) standards and products that allow employees of an organization to gain access to corporate information.

Only employees who are issued passwords and access codes are able to use them. Firewalls protect intranets from unauthorized outside access. Intranet is for the corporate members.

According to Dr. Mohammed Al Muhtadi, The term Intranet refers to a corporate or private network of computers that share part/parts of the organizations operations and information with employees by using secure network connections and specific internet protocols.

IMPORTANCES OF INTRANET IN CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Corporate Communications:
Intranets can serve as a powerful tool for communication within an organization. From a communication standpoint, Intranets are useful to communicate tactical initiatives that have global reach. The type of information to be conveyed is her purpose, the goal, the driving force, the results to date and whom to speak to for more information. By communicating this information on the intranet, all staff can access the initiative and stay current with the progress and tactical focus of the organization.

Workforce Productivity:
Intranets help employees to quickly locate information and view information faster, while using applications relevant to their roles and responsibilities. Users can access data held in any database from anywhere within the organization. This increases the employees ability to perform work faster, more efficient and accurately.

Time:
Intranets allow organizations to make more information available to employees on a “pull” basis (that is employees can link to relevant information at any time) rather than being
overloaded by large volumes of information. This comes in handy when the urge of moment meetings come up, needing the most current information available.

Knowledge management:
This means capturing, organizing and retrieving corporate information. With all tools of information within the intranet, and employees constantly adding new
information in the form of comments, discussions, blogs and documents; intranet serves as a centralized place to capture important corporate information.

By Mkessa Patricia