What is the difference between an intranet and an extranet?

While both mentioned in the same breath, an intranet and an extranet are two very different, private network solutions. As a web development specialist serving businesses throughout Northamptonshire and the surroundings areas, we’ve had experience building both, and each unlocks its own benefits for businesses just like you!

Read on to discover the basics of intranets and extranets, and how using both could be advantageous, especially in an industry sector where security, compliance and cooperation are key.

So, what is an intranet?

Intranets are private, internal networks that are popular not just in workplaces, but in education to facilitate communication between students and staff.

From a business point of view, an intranet can help to streamline operations, enhance communications and aid document sharing amongst other things. It is accessible only to employees within your company, with its highly restricted nature benefitting security and privacy no end.

How is an extranet different?

While similar to the intranet in terms of it being a private network, an extranet has a very different user base. Extranets are generally reserved for those who play a role in your business but are based externally. This includes third parties like clients, business partners, suppliers, consultants and even customers. Any user must be authorised to gain access.

Extranets are also used by employees that work remotely. As a result, an extranet can bridge the gap between the internal workings of your business and the outside world, keeping both separate for security purposes whilst allowing efficiency.

How could they benefit your business?

Both intranet and extranet systems provide a high level of security but for two different parts of your business. These secure portals are convenient and cohesive, paving the way for compliance, collaboration and an improved experience for all parties, including those who operate outside the four walls of your office.

Here at Newedge, we’ve built both, and each has proven popular with the clients at their centre. More recently, it was a financial services business that reaped the rewards of an intranet and extranet build. Each allowed them to improve their internal efficiency as well as the client and partner experience on offer, revolutionising the way they managed their data and shared sensitive information to secure groups.

Would you like to know what an intranet or extranet could do for you? Contact our team today for a no-obligation chat.