A growing number of companies are choosing to leave technology to the experts in order to concentrate on the main focus of their business. For all the benefits that IT brings organisations, it`s increasingly complex to administer.
The latest technology to be outsourced is the corporate extranet and intranet. Internet Solutions (IS) has introduced the GoZone - a hosted extranet and intranet service, capable of housing corporate portals.
An intranet is the browser-based network system many companies use to disseminate information internally. For instance, you could find the telephone extensions and e-mail addresses of colleagues there or perhaps fill in an electronic leave form.
An extranet extends the concept of information dissemination to a company`s authorised external business partners so that they can share information. Unlike the World Wide Web, this is not an open network - it`s closed so that any information shared by parties with access to the extranet remains confidential.
Some companies have chosen to build their own intranets and extranets but the trend now is to leave it to the experts.
Says Mark Strathmore, GoZone product manager at IS: "Companies of all sizes are starting to use services like GoZone because it removes the hassle - and a lot of the expense - of setting up, managing, and maintaining a company intranet and extranet.
"During the consultative phase of setting up a company portal on the GoZone, we do a thorough analysis on what the business requirements are, as well as performing a financial analysis. If there`s a compelling business case, we install, manage, and then maintain the infrastructure on behalf of clients," he says.
Using the GoZone, companies can utilise Web-based mechanisms to connect several business partners and configure how much and what type of information they wish to share with them.
"We supply and administer the software and services that make this a reality for customers," says David Rogers, GM of Business Gateway at Internet Solutions. The software platforms that are used are based on leading world-class Microsoft technology.
Some people blur the line between an extranet and a Web portal, yet the difference is significant - a portal usually houses a critical business application that a company simply can`t do without - a parts ordering system, for example, as well as extending to a broad array of resources and services (such as messaging and e-mail), an extranet is about exchanging information.
"We are about helping companies form better electronic relationships with their business partners - we connect them at a networking and Web level," says Strathmore.
"The GoZone is totally secure. These days information on company networks is the lifeblood of business and it has to be protected. We are audited regularly and employ top technology that searches for intrusion.
"The main benefits of the GoZone are that it`s quick to set up, reduces time to market, limits technology risk, and leverages the benefits of scale - securely. It is well administered and maintained and less expensive than going the in-house route, which requires a customer to invest in skills that are difficult to obtain, incentivise, and retain. From a business perspective, it is very compelling to make use of technology on a rental rather than capital expenditure basis, where your technology partner invests in the necessary technology and skills." says Strathmore.
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Internet Solutions (IS) is SA`s leading provider of infrastructure foundations for electronic business and the forerunner in providing companies with effective connectivity solutions.
At present, it connects over 1 500 organisations to the Internet and over 3 000 sites through its range of VPN Solutions, forming the primary electronic business community in SA.
IS offers a fully managed environment together with expertise in areas such as Internet access, VPNs, hosting, dial-up, security and data management.
Its best-of-breed infrastructure is without equal and has been the preferred choice of leading companies since 1993.
As the Internet industry leader, IS is also dedicated to sharing its success with others by providing improved access to education and information to all South Africans, particularly previously disadvantaged communities.
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