What Is an Intranet
A network that provides employees with access to information and applications within a company. An Intranet software can include a variety of applications, including instant messaging, collaboration tools, project management software and other enterprise tools. An intranet can also support a range of communication channels, including wikis, blogs and forums. Modern intranet platforms are designed with a user experience that closely resembles consumer applications and are optimized for remote work scenarios.
The Internet is a public network that can be accessed by anyone with a computing device and a high-speed data connection. It supports unlimited users at one time, although it can be slower for some users with older devices or limited bandwidth. An intranet is a private network that requires a specific network password to connect to it, and it can host a limited number of users simultaneously. An intranet typically can be accessed from a desktop or laptop computer with a network cable modem or a T line, which is a high-speed communications line that can transmit data at a rate of 1.544 Mbps.
Social media platforms, such as Slack and Teamwork, are simple tools that can help companies communicate with one another, but they’re not the best tool for more formal announcements or longer conversations. A dedicated internal messaging system is a better choice for these types of communication. However, implementing this type of platform may require training for some users and it can be difficult to manage multiple communications streams with different teams and projects.
An intranet can be connected to other networks through a VPN, which allows employees who are not on the company’s required LAN to sign in with a secure connection. It is common for businesses to connect their intranets to the Internet using a firewall, which tracks incoming and outgoing data packets to ensure that malware does not enter the network.
In addition to managing the security of an intranet, businesses need to provide their employees with a compelling platform that encourages engagement and participation. Some platforms are more effective at this than others. The most popular platforms resemble consumer applications with features that enable employees to create their own personalized homepages, for example. The best platforms also regularly post content that can boost engagement and encourage employees to participate.