Extranet
An extranet is the extension of an intranet to include an area that is made accessible to registered users. An extranet is used to provide information for companies, partners or customers, for example, in a protected environment and has become an important component in the B2B sector.
Advantages of the extranet
The extranet uses the same technology as the Internet, i.e. a local Internet provider. Various encryption methods can be used to secure the connection. Similar to the intranet, the extranet was developed by companies through internal network interfaces. The extranet offers companies and partners the ability to insert a variety of information and make it available to specific groups of people. From change notifications, to document management, to viewing event calendars, to maintaining customer data, the extranet allows access and a variety of exchanges around the clock. The extranet also offers many advantages in terms of store management. Information on special offers, marketing campaigns or product presentations and the associated processes and processing statuses can be accessed, processed or evaluated in real time via the extranet.
Simplified processes
In the area of e-commerce too, extranets as a secure and at the same time cost-effective medium should lead to more growth and facilitate communication between business partners worldwide. Ordering processes, correspondence, complaints and documents can be easily inserted and immediately exchanged.
Differentiating extranet from intranet
Both extranets and intranets are networks that are available to a closed group of users as an information platform. While the closed user group of an intranet consists exclusively of company employees, an extranet can also be accessed by selected external users such as service providers, regular customers or suppliers. However, unlike the Internet, which makes information accessible worldwide, extranets and intranets involve a closed exchange of information.
