Page 104 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Unit 9: Intranet

Business operations and management: Intranets are also being used as a platform for Notes
developing and deploying applications to support business operations and decisions across
the internet worked enterprise.
Cost-effective: Users can view information and data via web-browser rather than main-
taining physical documents such as procedure manuals, internal phone list and requisition
forms. This can potentially save the business money on printing, duplicating documents, and
the environment as well as document maintenance overhead. For example, People soft
“derived significant cost savings by shifting HR processes to the intranet”. McGovern goes
on to say the manual cost of enrolling in benefits was found to be USD109.48 per enrollment.
“Shifting this process to the intranet reduced the cost per enrollment to $21.79; a saving of
80 percent”. Another company that saved money on expense reports was Cisco.

Did u know? In 1996, Cisco processed 54,000 reports and the amount of dollars processed
was USD19 million.

Enhance collaboration: Information is easily accessible by all authorized users, which
enables teamwork.
Cross-platform capability: Standards-compliant web browsers are available for Windows,
Mac, and UNIX.
Built for one audience: Many companies dictate computer specifications which, in turn,
may allow Intranet developers to write applications that only have to work on one browser
(no cross-browser compatibility issues). Being able to specifically address your “viewer”
is a great advantage. Since Intranets are user-specific (requiring database/network authen-
tication prior to access), you know exactly who you are interfacing with and can personal-
ize your Intranet based on role (job title, department) or individual.
Promote common corporate culture: Every user has the ability to view the same informa-
tion within the Intranet.
Immediate updates: When dealing with the public in any capacity, laws, specifications, and
parameters can change. Intranets make it possible to provide your audience with “live”
changes so they are kept up-to-date, which can limit a company’s liability.
Supports a distributed computing architecture: The intranet can also be linked to a company’s
management information system, for example, a time keeping system.

Task Explain how intranet helps to increase workforce productivity.

9.4 Planning and Creation of Intranet

Most organizations devote considerable resources into the planning and implementation of their
intranet as it is of strategic importance to the organization’s success. Some of the planning would
include topics such as:
The purpose and goals of the intranet
Persons or departments responsible for implementation and management
Functional plans, information architecture, page layouts, design
Implementation schedules and phase-out of existing systems
Defining and implementing security of the intranet
How to ensure it is within legal boundaries and other constraints
Level of interactivity (e.g., wikis, on-line forms) desired
Is the input of new data and updating of existing data to be centrally controlled or devel-
oped.

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