Using cost-effective open-source content management systems (CMS) to deliver fast, functionally rich systems to facilitate easy to use, internally managed sites.

Intranets 

Simply put, an intranet is a company-wide software and information distribution system that uses internet tools and technology. It could be a simple HTML file linked on a LAN, a full-blown sophisticated system with dedicated server hardware, or anything in between. You can use the intranet to give the employees access to company documents, distribute software, enable group scheduling, provide an easy front end to company databases, and let individuals and departments publish information they need to communicate to the rest of the company.

Typical intranet content could include the corporate directory, a calendar of events, a policies and procedures manual, the health plan and the company newsletter. The most important information will be industry-specific, such as supplier information and databases of products.

Benefits of Intranets

• Workforce Productivity - Intranets can help users to locate and view information faster and use applications relevant to their roles and responsibilities
• Time - With intranets, organisations can make more information available to employees on a "pull" basis (i.e., employees can link to relevant information at a time which suits them) rather than being deluged by e-mails
• Communication - Intranets can serve as a powerful tool for communication within an organisation, vertically or horizontally. From a communications standpoint, intranets are useful to communicate strategic initiatives that have a global reach throughout the organization
• Web publishing allows 'cumbersome' corporate knowledge to be maintained and easily accessed throughout the company using hypermedia and Web technologies
• Business operations and management - Intranets are also being used as a platform for developing and deploying applications to support business operations and decisions across the internetworked enterprise
• Cost-effective - Users can view information and data via web-browser rather than maintaining physical documents such as procedure manuals, internal phone list and requisition forms
• Promote common corporate culture - Every user is viewing the same information within the Intranet
• Enhance Collaboration - With information easily accessible by all authorised users, teamwork is enabled
• Cross-platform Capability - Standards-compliant web browsers are available for Windows, Mac, and UNIX

Extranets 

An extranet is a private network that uses Internet protocols, network connectivity, and possibly the public telecommunication system to securely share part of an organisation's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company (e.g.: normally over the internet). It has also been described as a "state of mind" in which the Internet is perceived as a way to do business with a preapproved set of other companies business-to-business (B2B), in isolation from all other Internet users. In contrast, business-to-consumer (B2C) involves known server(s) of one or more companies, communicating with previously unknown consumer users.

Benefits of Extranets

Exchange large volumes of data using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
• Share product catalogs exclusively with wholesalers or those "in the trade"
• Collaborate with other companies on joint development efforts
• Jointly develop and use training programs with other companies
• Provide or access services provided by one company to a group of other companies, such as an online banking application managed by one company on behalf of affiliated banks
• Share news of common interest exclusively

To discuss how eSpida can assist with the setting up of Intranets or Extranets within your business feel free to contact one of our Technical Sales Consultants.