Download CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FOUNDAT 2.1 Introduction to Intranet

CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FOUNDAT
2.1 Introduction to Intranet
Intranet is generally describes about the networks
company that uses web-based technology, such as Hype
(HTML) and web browser.
Intranet is a network of co
organisation that uses Internet standards and protocols, a
organisation. Intranet allows communication, collaboration a
between employees.
"An Intranet application uses Internet standards to link
machines in client-server architecture." (Lucas, 2000, p.5
Martin (I 999) is "essentially Internet deployed by a com
internal
use
only.
Employees
receive
a
password,
communication within the company are handled behind a
pp.3-4).
The Intranet is commonly protected from outside users
called a firewall. "A firewall is a computer that sits betwee
the Internet." (Lucas, 2000, pp.281). It protects the Intranet f
that may disturb and try to steal valuable information from t
Intranet relies on open standard technology and protoc
Control
Protocol/Internet
Protocol
(TCP/IP)
and
H
organisations have developed their own network that is co
protocol. This enables them to build their own Intranet;
publish information developed in HTML codes and users c
of web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Net
2.1.1 Comparison of Internet and Intranet
Internet is a collection of computers around the globe t
exchange information. On the other hand, Intranet is a p
organisation. Extranet is the extension of Intranet to trusted
inter and extra are from Latin. The prefix "intra" means
"between" and "extra" means "beyond". Internet, Intranet
same standards and protocol, thus the differences between
access.
Internet is not owned by anyone. Anyone around the g
computer, modem and Internet connection, can access and
On the other hand, Intranet is belonging to an organisation a
members of organisation only, such as employees. Extr
organisation and can be accessible by organisation memb
and partner that have Intranet privilege.
Intranet used the same web technology as Internet;
differences, which can be observed from the table below:
Table 2.1 Comparisons oflnternet and Intranet
Category
Internet
Goal
Marketing,
services,
cust o
communicat
sales
Services
E-mail, FTP, web
Technology
Intemetworking,
TC
protocol
Content
Sales, customer sup
online
news,
pu
services, product price
Security
Limited,
accessible
open
2.1.2 Intranet Core Functions
According to Greer (Greer, 1998) Intranet functions
categories, which form the basis of services offered the Intra
a)
Email, which is communication from one person
to a group of people
b)
File Sharing, which Is by
sharing knowledg
information
c)
Directories, which is managing information and l
d)
Search, which is to find the required information
e)
Network Management, which is maintenance ofl
2.1.3 Intranet Purposes
Intranet has many different purposes. It can facilitate
employees by email, online conference and discussion foru
contents, manage information, deliver
training and
organisation and also with trusted business partners.
By using Intranet, organisation can publish, store
information online.
Intranet facilitates collaboration
be
organisation regardless of its location. Intranet can save tim
communication and collaboration between employees, es
According to Greer (Greer, 1998) There are many info
on Intranet, including:
a)
Company News
b)
Corporate Policy
c)
Project Management
d)
Workflow Management
e)
Knowledge Repositories
f)
Regulatory Compliance Status
g)
Just-in-time training
h)
Product and Pricing Information
i)
Shipping and Inventory Data
j)
Sales Reports
k)
Claims Processing
I)
Employee Locator and Skills Directory
m)
Job Postings
n)
Benefits Enrolment
o)
Stock Prices
2.1.4 Benefits of Intranet
Intranet is usually deployed by a company to cut cost o
because it is more efficient compared to paper-based
its employee. The Intranet serves as a self-service applica
retrieve infonnation by looking at the directory or using an
the Intranet. "Intranet will put more infonnation in emp
virtual work communities, irrevocably altering the dynam
both individuals and companies." (Martin, 1999, pp.4).
Intranet makes it possible for widespread distribution
cost, which can be accessible bye employee who needs it.
post infonnation on the company's Intranet page, which c
and easily. Intranet can give many benefits to the com
employee productivity, lower operating cost and faster c
infonnation compare to paper-based infonnation documen
employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. Accordin
give many benefits for the employee such as "... too
efficiencies" (Kaplan, 2001, pp.l).
Intranet now also "..
abilities to provide good customer service". (Kaplan, 2001, p
The benefits for company that implements Intranet as
are as follows:
a)
Employee relations are stronger.
b)
Give employee the ability to manage, learn and g
c)
As facility to support the employee's work.
d)
Introduce electronic programme that will keep
e)
Constant Online communication will align comp
needs because more employees are closer to the
oflntranet as communication infrastructure.
Beside that, Greer (Greer, 1998) has also list down s
which can be viewed from different angle depending on
(Greer, 1998) has categorised Intranet benefits as follows:
Table 2.2 Benefits oflntranet from Different Point o
User
IT Staff
Communications
Easy to use
Easy to
Reaches target
administer
audiences
Easy to
Up-to-date
modifY
information
Reduces
Speeds
needs to
communication
Easy to publish
Empowerment
support
users
Reduces time-
Easy to
One-source
wasting
manage
credibility
activities
network
Source: Greer, 1998 p.27
2.2
Technology Behind the Intranet
The Intranet operation is supported by the hardwar
protocols. The technology behind the Intranet will be disc
such as hardware, software and Internet Protocols behind th
2.2.1 Hardware
It is common that every organisation have some sort
their offices for the purpose of economic advantage of s
information. In the beginning, the network is based on mai
the processes handled by this computer. The mainframe c
several dumb terminals. The advancement of computing
creation of smaller and faster computer processor and
client/server network connected in a Local Area Network (L
Intranets infrastructure is basically applying techn
environment and the Internet. It uses hardware similar
include routers, switches, wire, cables and client comp
computers are usually desktop computers with proces
computer has large storage devices and fast and powerfu
manage and serve information on the network.
Local Area Network (LAN) is a network of computers
such as printer connected to server. The connection can
whereby the server acts as the computer that store, prote
client's request.
2.2.2 Software
Intranet is implemented in an organisation to link dif
across different operating systems, which can be accomplis
Protocols to solve the interoperability problems and inte
internet browser, internet communication protocols, intern
and internet-based development tools.
In the client/server architecture, both client and server
software. The server requires network operating system a
software to handle the network activities. While the client
what the user needs. The server needs server application
server with functions such as mail processing, storing
handling information. Server software is depended on tbe o
on it. However, since it uses TCP/IP protocol, it can
computers on the network.
There are several types of applications commonly u
browser, search engine and speciality software. Browser
users and computers that uses HTTP protocol and able to re
used for developing Intranet web pages. Then, search engin