In recent years we could notice the outstanding growth of the Internet as well as the way new developments caused the number of users to increase significantly. However, there is a segment of the network market that has experienced an even more rapid growth than did the Internet.

Companies have started to take advantage of the technologies used in the Internet for its own internal use. These networks, called Intranets, use programs based on the main concepts of the Internet.

Basically, an intranet is the network of a company that can be accessed worldwide by users with permissions and access rights. It is important that the difference between a network and an Intranet be understood.

A network often consists of several computers connected to a server that is mainly used to have access to shared data (known as client-server). On the other hand, a corporate Intranet allows users to make use of both the web and the internet technology to connect to other computers put at their disposal by the company to that aim.

Moreover, users with remote access to the Intranet are able to work with the same programs either at home or at the office. Many companies use the Intranets, to publish both confidential and public data so as to facilitate the communications between the employees and managers of the company.

By this technology, the information that the company makes available can be accessed, regardless where the data or the end user is located.

It is a fast, secure and economical way to boost the company's network. In a corporate Intranet, the main tool that will be used is the browser. Other main tools may be pdf documents (Acrobat) because of their high graphic quality and their reduced size.

SCOPE

The corporate Intranet may have a wide range of functionalities, among which the following can be highlighted:

• an intelligent search engine
• internal and external mailing (Webmail)
• Cooperation management
• glossaries
• directories
• news, latest local and international events, newspapers
• surveys
• agreements
• Leaflets
• guides and memorandums
• on-line courses (training)
• policies, business rules
• performance and process description
• chat and forums or discussion groups
• listings
• ideas, suggestions, comments, reviews
• telephone calls, messages and reminders
• agenda
• Production reports (Range of Bonus and Production Trends)
• Quality standards
• Company Products and Services
• Available training, courses, schedules, communication, etc.
• News about events, expositions, etc.
• Safety and Hygiene standards
• Social Events (birthdays, births, etc)
• Classified ads (purchases, sales, swap)
• Copies of articles from specialized newspapers and magazines.
• Company's organization chart
• Our Vision and our Mission
• Internal rules.
• Manual of Ethics
• Messages from Management
• Quality- ISO 9000, standards

These functionalities should be adjusted to the needs and scope of the company and they may be implemented gradually.

BENEFITS

There is a large quantity of non-quantifiable benefits regarding the improvement of the communication among the members of the company. However, there are also benefits that have direct effect in the printing costs, telephone calls, fax, etc.

Reduce immediately both the printing and logistic costs.

Many listings are not printed out in paper reducing, in turn, the paper consumption as well as other supplies.

Nobody should get the listings or be in charge of their distribution, in any terminal, they are just a few clicks away.

Provide information to every terminal of the network instantly.

Every terminal, local or remote, that has both access to the network and the necessary permissions, will be able to browse listings and report regardless of whether it is a terminal of a LAN/WAN network or it has a remote access (by telephone / Internet)

Enable to perform searches and prior filters

Reduce the need of deferred processes in the Company's Host.

Save the valuable time of your resources; lower the time employed in the allocation of resources dedicated to the printing and the distribution of information

THE INTRANET PROPOSED BY infoBIZ