Intranet Design Approach Introduction to Intranet

The basic intranet characteristics are: This is a private, dedicated network. • It is basically business oriented. • Its growth is strictly controlled. • The concept is Internet−like. • Access to and from the out−of−Intranet world is restricted. • There is full control over the network. • Mostly the same network technologies are implemented throughout an intranet. • Mostly the same hardware and software platforms are used. • It is a part of Internet. • It overrides some Internet restrictions. • In some ways, we can say that an intranet is a small Internet where we have even more control and influence. Such a statement is mostly true, but it does not make our job smaller. Finally, what can we conclude about an intranet as a part of the Internet? The same technologies are implemented. • The concept is almost the same. • Security issues are different. • Ownership is different. • Special concerns exist regarding connections with the Internet. • From an administrative standpoint, there are no significant differences between administering a UNIX host in an intranet or on the Internet. This is logical since UNIX administration is primarily focused on configuring a UNIX host in the local network LAN where the UNIX host belongs. This administration is independent of the wider network layout regarding whether this LAN belongs to an intranet or the Internet. UNIX administrative responsibilities terminate with routers in the LAN. Afterward other administrative skills are required.

25.1.2 Intranet Design Approach

Today an intranet is a common thing. Thousands and thousands of different size Intranets are running and blooming around. You can even order an intranet as a package, to choose among several packet solutions. Everything will be delivered and put in operation for a certain price. Whether it really matches your needs is another question. Of course an intranet has its price, and you have to doublecheck whether your budget can cover these costs. Before you decide to go ahead with the intranet, the following are worth considering: Do you expect to save money? Typically, intranet technologies are used at the beginning for such things as telephone directories, data sheets, material safety sheets, surveys, human resources materials, travel policies, and job postings. Even when used in such a limited way, the intranet return on investment is quite significant for companies adopting the technology. • Do you expect to spend money and to need outside help? Making your Internet and intranet look and behave correctly will probably involve bringing in outside help. This help should always include knowledge transfer. Transferring knowledge on how to design a site and make programming interfaces in the existing systems and managing employee−added • 623 • Do you expect to have to manage employee involvement on your site? As the intranet site grows, you will have to look at controlling the appearance of documents, managing how your employees can navigate your site, and making security arrangements. • Do you expect to have to address Internet technology at some point? Many believe that Internet technologies are replacing the PC as the engine for information technology market growth. How much did your company spend last year on PC and related technologies? Now shift some of this money over to the Internet and reconsider the costs. • Funding for the intranet can be based on different criteria. Some companies consider it a cost of doing business while others fund it on a value−based allocation. Remember that there will be ongoing operating expenses that could be even greater than the initial expense of setting up the intranet. Security is extremely important. An intranet extends a companys reach, but it also increases its vulnerability and exposure. Security policies must be in place to dictate who has access to what information, when they can get the information, and how much information they can get. Firewall software provides the needed security mechanisms, but the security policies have to be written down, maintained, communicated, enforced, and constantly monitored. All of this is necessary to ensure the livelihood of the company is not threatened. Return on investment can be quite substantial. Conservative figures place the payback at a low of 23 to a high of 88, over one to two years. Costs of paper dissemination and printing will be reduced, but the greatest benefits realized will relate to information flow. It is also very important to decide who will control the intranet. Often the IT department is given control of the intranet, and this is usually a mistake. IT is very good at handling hardware and software but not as good at knowledge management. Intranet management requires skills in professional research and information gathering. Strict cooperation with IT is needed to efficiently disseminate high−quality information via the intranet, but the control to the content of the intranet should remain with the company management, or maybe within the HR department. Departments within the organization may be allowed to maintain their own Web pages and publish their own documents, but the core information for the company should remain under the control of a single management body. Having intranet control centralized has other benefits in addition to ensuring the quality of the data. It allows for better maintenance of the site and can simplify startup and ongoing use. It can provide consistent navigation for all users if all the links are established on the main page. It also allows uniform customization of links for various users, based on an individual departments information needs. Here are fundamental principles for designing an intranet. Starting with an appropriate solution is very important. Define business needs — do not underestimate your real needs, but also do not exaggerate 1. Choose technology wisely — cheap initial solutions usually are not the cheapest ones. If 2. 624 3. Make room for growth — the business will grow, think about an easy upgrade. 4. Include a site map for navigation — the graphic presentation of the intranet structure is important. It always saves time and prevents problems. 5. Do not get carried away with fonts and colors — good visual appearance on the intranet site is important, but do not exaggerate there are many other issues to complete. 6. Test the usability of the interface — be realistic in choosing resources involving the Internet. 7. Check the network security — security is always an issue, for some businesses the most important one. 8. Obey the law — it is internal, but rules still exist. 9. Stay focused — always remember the mission of your intranet. 10.

25.2 Intranet Front−End Services