Intranet Application Development

An intranet is a private network that consists of many interlinked local area networks. It uses TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internet protocols and usually looks like a private version of the Internet. Stephen Lawton, who was a technical editor, coined the term ‘Intranet’ in 1995. Basically, an intranet application is deployed and access through local area network. An intranet includes connections through one or more gateway computers to the outside Internet. It is often used to share company information and computing resources among staffs. Moreover, it can be used to facilitate working in groups and for teleconferences. Enterprises can send private messages through the public network using the public network with special encryption/decryption and other security safeguards to connect one part of their intranet to another.

Larger companies enable users to access the public Internet through firewall servers that have the ability to screen messages in both directions so that company security is maintained. Nowadays, it has become a trend to use intranet application in enterprises of all sizes. This application is used in hotel operations, restaurant franchises, banking, hospitals, oil & gas, manufacturing and government agencies. An intranet's websites look and act exactly like any other websites, but the firewall adjoining an intranet fends off unofficial access. Just like Internet, intranets are used to share information. Intranets are getting much attention as they are economical to construct and handle than private networks based on proprietary protocols.

Intranet application serves as an internal website or a portal for the employees and people associated with the company. The applications help in organization and publishing documents across all relevant employees and thus successfully facilitate better data management. As common information like policies and announcements about the firms are shared across all the staffs through a common platform, intranet application helps in promoting corporate culture. Moreover, it is extensively used to exchange various tools and applications like CRM tools, project management utilities, sales data, and many more. It also allows the company to have other relevant information like press releases, industry news, media news and other proceedings.

An intranet application is also known as corporate portal or private business network. The application needs to be designed not only from a functional point of view but also from usability and aesthetics aspect. Security is an important aspect of intranet applications as much of confidential data exist on the intranet. Hence it is important that no unauthorized user accesses within or outside the organization. Intranet software development involves use of hardware with networking capabilities and software technologies that include web servers, TCP/IP, Ethernet, browsers, and WiFi systems. Consequently, the intranet application development must be carefully designed and accomplished.