Importance of intranet and extranet in corporate communication

Duane and Finnegan (2003, p.133) intranet is an application of internet technology within an organization for the purpose of information dissemination, communication, integration and collaboration. Intranet refers to a corporate network of computers that share part/parts of the organizations operations and information with employees, through using secure network connections and specific internet protocols. It can also be the most visible service, the organizations internal website. It can be seen as private version of the internet confined to an organization. Intranet applies technology for intra- organizational communication through; internal corporate memos, customer records, faster access to employee programs, benefits.Employees within an organization are able to gain access to corporate information.

Extranet is a network based on a web technologies that links selected resources of intranet of a company with its customers, suppliers or other business partiners.Also extra net allows some users of public internet with access to intranet servers such as employees access to corporate information like e-mail, students access to their records and assignments, customer access to sales/product information. Extranet is a type of network where by network can be shared digitally via web portal. This means that one does not have to be in any particular location to use extranet, making it the ideal type of network for companies to share information with selected outside parties such as clients, customers and outside business partners.

Both intranet and extranet are significantly easier and less expensive to set up and operate. These two terms allow users to communicate over vast distances using inexpensive public internet lines. They reduce cost and improve operations in many ways.

Intranet and extranet have several goals such as;                                                    

1.      Authentication

This means that the message sent, message received or accessed systems are who they say they are and the privilege to undertake such actions.

2.      Easy to use

To make sure that security system can be consistently and thoroughly implemented for a wide variety of applications.

3.      Content integrity

It is guaranteeing that messages have not been altered by another party since they were sent.

4.      Privacy

It enables only the intended recipient to view an intended message.

5.      Non-repudiation

Establishing the source of a message so that the sender cannot later deny sending the message.

The following are the importance of intranet and extranet in corporate communication;

·         Simplify communication

Intranet and extranet in corporate communication have enhances easy communication within and outside the organization. Through intranet people within an organization can easily communicate about a certain issue through e-mails within short period of time about a certain issue. Through extranet the organization can communicate with their suppliers or stakeholders or customers about certain information. Intranet make faster and easier to distribute policies, procedures and company to employees and extranet make it easier to distribute online catalogs and price list.

·         Enhance collaboration

Through intranet information is easily accessed by all authorized users and enables team work within an organization also through extranet is where by suppliers are able to access information hence collaboration occurs between the organization and the suppliers. Users become more productive in forming virtual and online teams, these virtual teams can collaborate without the expense of frequent travel or delay of sending information.

·         Lowering administrative cost

Intranet and extranet allow users to complete many tasks themselves that once required administrative assistance. Through intranet, employees are allowed to enroll in their health plans and through extranet business to business customers can order their own supplies.

·         Knowledge gain

Through intranet and extranet have enabled people to gain different knowledge, where by employees add new information in the form of comments,discussions,blogs,documents.Also an organization through doing business online gets new knowledge on how to do business.

·         Improves the way of thinking

Intranet and extranet in corporate communication have helped in improving new way of thinking to the people within and outside the organization.People come with new ideas through seeing people within an organization or outside the organization so it motivates them to think of new thing of their own.

·         Interactivity

Intranet and extranet have helped people within and outside the organization to interact and get different information within a short period of time. People interact and get different information and are able to advertise their product /services.

Generally, intranet and extranet have led to wastage of time, lack of creativity, lack moral values. As a corporate communication officer make sure you educate your employees about the use of intranet and extranet and at the end to have profitable knowledge which can enable them to do something productive in an organization and outside the organization.
BY: KIYABO NELLY
       BAPRM-42587