Comparing Intranet and Extranet

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[Type the company name] | Comparing Intranet and Extranet | OFF-115-D010 | Crystal Hilton 2/20/2012 | Extranets offer flexible work, an extranet allows remote and mobile staff to access core business information 24 hours a day, regardless of location. Improved business relationships, key trading partners benefit from the close collaborative working that extranets support. Improved customer service, customers get direct access to information that enables them to resolve their own queries. Also, improved security, exchanges can take place under a controlled and secure environment. (Business Link) There are also downsides of extranets, such as, Expense. It can be costly to implement an extranet as you may have to foot the cost of hardware, software, manpower and any other associated costs, including training of external affiliates. Repairs and maintenance can also increase the expense of managing an extranet. Another aspect to be concerned of is, Security. On the one hand, security is an added advantage if you implement an extranet because you control who accesses your site and thus who gets access to your data. Conversely, extranets can open your systems up to breaches in system security because you grant outsiders access to your system and internal databases. To grant access to external associates, you must create openings in your firewalls. Multiple openings in your firewalls create higher risks for unauthorized entries. Also, keep in mind that extranets grant access to proprietary data, and this access to your information can provide another opportunity for unauthorized users to access sensitive and confidential information. (Davoren, eHow) Most of today's modern businesses are adopting intranet technology due its competitive advantages in dealing with the corporate information essential for any business. The various benefits of intranet to
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