An Intranet is a company wide web. A slice of the world wide web that is all yours. An intranet simplifies all sorts of processes and creates a new level of sharing of information. Here are seven reasons why you should use one.

   1. Don't keep good news to yourself.
Whatever is on your office noticeboard or is sent around in memos should be on the intranet. It is the best way of sharing information. The Whitespace intranet displays everything from company health and safety legislation to current projects and the office diary. Meanwhile individuals add their own pages, ranging from essential company intelligence to baby photos.

 

   2. Utilise the software you've already got.
You already have everything you need. Probably. To write an intranet page is just a matter of using the "Save As" option in Word or Excel. Microsoft include the software to run intranet pages on servers running NT and Windows 2000, and on desktops with XP.

 

   3. It's a piece of cake.
It is so easy to put information on the intranet. Everyone can do it. If you've ever suffered a colleague who can't find a document they wrote last week, then an intranet is for you. You can find everything that has been written using a simple search function.

 

  4. Useful information at the click of a mouse.
Related pages are only a click away. You'll see the phrase "Please click here for the latest information" rather than "The latest information is in F:\ COMP\ H&S\ TTS\ FEB03.DOC".

 

  5. Get connected to the outside world.
The intranet can smoothly display live data as well. Everything from the company share price to the fantasy football league. If there is computerised information anywhere in the organisation then it can be displayed on an intranet page.

 

   6. All you need is a browser.
In a fluid organisation like Whitespace, having access to information from any PC is crucial. There is no need to log on as a different user, mount network drives, install new software or add database connections. If the PC has a browser, it has the intranet.

 

   7. You can control the flow of information.
Not that an intranet is a security hole. It can have all the levels of security you would expect. It allows users or workgroups different levels of access. A sensible password protocol stops the new employee from seeing the FD's latest projections or the CEO's golfing diary.

 

   8. An evolving information resource.
And there is no limit. You can add mission critical, highly sensitive systems to the intranet. Off the shelf or bespoke developments. Anything from booking appointments with the in-house masseuse to business planning for a multinational company.

You will have noticed that the seven reasons have become eight. This is the intranet way of life. More than the sum of its parts. Much more.

For more information please call Whitespace marketing on 020 7240 0208 Alternatively, you can email us with your request at info@whitespace.co.uk.