Need To Set Up An Intranet Or Extranet? Here Are Your Options
In the present world where everything has been computerized you need to walk hand in hand with the present computerization trend. To flow with the trend you need to computerize your every aspect of business and for that you need to set up Intranet or Extranet. Intranet software or extranet is the best mode of managing your information which can disseminated to the required user in the fastest possible way. Now the question that might be hovering in your mind would be how can one set up Intranet or Extranet. Well, if you want to know the answer of the question then just keep reading, you will get your answer in the following lines.
The Intranet or Extranet can be set up in three different ways i.e. by building it yourself, purchasing/installing third party software or by using a service provider. Each method of setting up Intranet or Extranet has its own advantages as well as disadvantages so none of the system of installation could be said better than other. If you want to set up Intranet software or Extranet by your own then you have to have to bear high up-front development cost but the benefit that you would get is you would have complete control of your user interface design. You get the ability to customize the level of functionality as per the need of each client but for that you need an ongoing commitment and support of internal staff as well as client for hosting, maintenance and updates. You become dependent on your staff expertise in its development, but you even get direct access to user activity, which is not possible otherwise.
If you go for purchasing / installing third-party Intranet software or Extranet you get the ability to choose the functions and customize the interface as per your requirement but for that as well you have to bear high up-front purchase cost. You would get proven track record of packaged solution with it but for that you would require extensive internal as well client training. You get more rapid implementation in this way as compared to building on your own but the disadvantage of the method is you would require client as well as internal staff commitment for hosting, maintaining, customization and implementation.
If you choose third mode of set up i.e. using a service provider you will get the proven track record as well as the expertise of the service provider but you would get less liberty in your user interface design. It will result in fast implementation as well as you do not require any commitment from your client or internal staff for hosting or upgrading. It will significantly reduce your entry as well as predictable cost over time. The drawback of this mode of set up is you get fixed set of functionality but it even helps you in getting upgrades from the expert at no additional cost as well as provides saving on internal server use.
All these factors indicates to the fact that every mode of set up has its own lacunae and benefits so you can choose anyone as per your financial as well as technical capabilities.