For many years, companies have struggled to find ways to provide useful information (rather than just data) to their employees. Human resource departments want to communicate policies and procedures and distribute forms efficiently. Training departments want to provide updated course materials in a timely manner. Legacy information maintained on older systems still has value, but must be made available to employees who may be based in another city, state, or even country. As the Internet has developed as a communication tool for businesses and individuals, increasing numbers of organizations are recognizing that an internal internet, an intranet, can provide enhanced communication for employees. With recent advances in telecommunications and software, it is now easier than ever to develop and deploy an intranet over a company's own network. This research examines the use of intranets, the benefits that can be expected from establishing an intranet, and some of the drawbacks and considerations that companies must keep in mind when making the decision to implement an intranet.
Intranets are private networks designed to help employees share information within the company. Typically, they are used to improve communications and provide access to information among employees, and occasionally, vendors and clients (Adams, 2000, p. 56). Nearly all intranets are similar in appearance to the Internet, and provide various ways for users to navigate the site. Some intranets are organized by function (purchasing, human resources, finance, for example) and maintained by the individual departments. Others have a central point where intranet information is developed and distributed; this usually occurs in larger organizations and the task is often handled by the MIS or IT group.
At the end of 1999, more than half of all American employees had access to the Internet through the workplace; that number is expected to increase to three-four...