An Intranet can be defined as an internal secure web site that gives employees within an organisation the ability to organize information, readily access that information, manage documents, share calendars and enable efficient collaboration. An Intranet can be deployed on a WAN (Wide Area Network) or LAN (Local Area Network) or on a browser-based environment.

An Extranet is an extended Intranet that allows authorized users outside the organisation such as remote workers, suppliers, partners or clients to collaborate, communicate and share business critical information. The benefits of implementing an Intranet Solution within an organisation are as follows:

• Empowers the workforce to provide fast and effective response to internal and external customers.
• Gives the workforce instant access to up to date information from the data system and other data sources.
• Keeps the workforce apprised of a large volume of continually changing information on products, services, account information, services and the market environment.
• Enable the gathering and distribution of information in a timely manner.
• Captures information on the fly and add it to the appropriate databases and knowledge bases.
• Enables users to feed information directly into the company’s back-end systems.
• Faster, easier, more open communication and co-ordination, internally and externally across geographic boundaries.
• The ability to exchange large volumes of data using standards such as XML or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
• Collaborative development, service and support, reduced time to market, increased sales and lower unit costs.
• Improved supply chain management, e.g. sharing information with partners and clients to place requests and allowing secure transactions.
• Improved learning, knowledge management and empowerment through knowledge sharing.
• Individuals control their own information flow, finding what they need, when they need it.
  Significant cost savings and efficiencies, depending on use and application.
• Measurable ROI. Low cost development for communications and basic applications functions.
• Share news of common interest exclusively with partner organisations.