An extranet is similar to an intranet but it is made accessible to selected
external partners such as business partners, suppliers, key customers etc, for
exchanging data and applications and sharing information.
As with an intranet, an extranet can also provide remote access to corporate
systems for staff who spend lots of time out of the office, for instance those
in sales or customer support, or home workers.
Extranet users should be a well-defined group and access must be protected by
rigorous identification routines and security features.
Why would you use an extranet?
Businesses of all sizes are under increasing pressure to use online ordering,
electronic order tracking and inventory management.
At the same time small businesses are keen to meet the demands of larger
companies in terms of working flexibly, adopting new technologies and enabling
the exchange of business information and transactions.
Extranets offer a cheap and efficient way for businesses to connect with
their trading partners. It also means that your business partners and suppliers
can access the information they need 24 hours a day.
The ability of the extranet to automate the trading tasks between you and
your trading partners can lead to enhanced business relationships and help to
integrate your business firmly within their supply chain.
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