Keep in touch with office through an Intranet connection<\/p>\n
Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Imagine a small crisis. Your client asks for changes. All
\nmodifications to the contract must have the approval of your
\nboss, who is currently overseas. In order to make the correct
\nbusiness decision, the boss needs access to the massive client
\nfiles (which is currently located in the office server in
\nJakarta) and must discuss the situation with you.<\/p>\n
How can you resolve the situation without megabytes of e-mail,
\nexpensive long distance calls and tons of faxes? With a corporate
\nintranet of course. The boss will be able to access the client
\nfiles, chat online with all managers involved and make the
\nnecessary decision. All without leaving his poolside deck chair.<\/p>\n
Also known as \"Groupware\", an intranet is similar to the
\ninternet, albeit on a more limited scale compared to the
\ninternet's global reach. In essence, an intranet can be defined
\nas a corporate portal or website accessible only by company
\npersonnel within their local area network and beyond. It can be
\naccessible via the internet, secured by a username and password.<\/p>\n
Why are more and more companies installing intranets? An
\nintranet can be the corporate information center for an entire
\ndepartment, division or company. Employees will be able to share
\ndata files easier without messing about with network logins and
\nprotocols. Administration will be able to provide company
\ndocuments and forms within the network for all to peruse and fill
\nout.<\/p>\n
Management can quickly disseminate the latest news and
\nquarterly targets to the corporate masses. Sales executives can
\naccess and update client information from the road. Employees
\nwill be able to collaborate on projects and discussion groups
\neven if they are in separate country offices. The benefits go on.<\/p>\n
The additional plus is that an intranet is a private site that
\nis only accessible by employees. You can make it as secure or as
\naccessible as you wish.<\/p>\n
The ideal intranet should have an easy to use interface that
\ncan be accessed from any kind of computer armed with an internet
\nconnection and web browser. With this simple interface, any
\ncomputer (from an old 386 computer to the latest AMD Athlon chip)
\nor Personal Digital Assistant would be able to access the
\ninformation necessary from anytime, anywhere. With a simple
\ninterface, even the newest of computer newbies will have no
\nproblems using the intranet.<\/p>\n
Is such a concept worth it? An intranet is like having the
\ncompany's own Yahoo! website, where all the news, tools and
\ninformation is at the employee's fingertips. No more costly
\ndistractions, confusing system logins and administrative delays.
\nCompanies could efficiently share and distribute information,
\nproviding a faster decision-making process, effective internal
\ncommunications and instantaneous feedback.<\/p>\n
How secure can it be? An intranet is no more vulnerable than
\nany other web server. It must be professionally maintained and
\nsecured, with the correct patches and protocols. You can use
\nVirtual Private Network (VPN) technology to encrypt its
\ncommunication between the server and users. You can use Secure
\nSockets Layer (SSL). But it all comes down to the username and
\npassword. Make sure the passwords are changed frequently. Beyond
\nthat, the benefits outweigh the risks.<\/p>\n
Executives on the road don't need their own laptops to access
\nthe company intranet as almost every hotel nowadays has an
\ninternet-enabled computer available in their business centers.
\nYou can even access them from internet cafes or warnets.<\/p>\n
How much does an intranet cost? You would be surprised to know
\nit does not cost an arm and leg. Web based intranet systems can
\nbe custom made from internet technologies allowing for secure yet
\nflexible applications. There are countless of companies in
\nIndonesia offering Intranet systems including EB Desk Indonesia,
\nIntraPrima and M-Web Indonesia.<\/p>\n
There are even internet sites that offer intranet features
\nonline. Websites such as Intranets (www.intranets.com) offer the
\nsame functionality, allowing organizations or groups of people to
\nset up their own private intranet space on the internet. For
\nthose who want to try an open source version for intranets, you
\ncan download and install Linux Intranet Server.<\/p>\n
One drawback of an intranet is there are now no more excuses
\nfor people not to check in the office, even if they left their
\nlaptops at home. With the evolution of cellular technology,
\npeople would soon be able to access the office with their hand
\nphones. And when that happens, you can definitely take the office
\nwherever you go. You can make all those important business
\ndecisions under a palm tree on the beach!<\/p>",
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