How to set up an intranet for a small business in Australia. Intranets have been around for decades! Companies use them to increase employee productivity and for internal communication, such as:

• Share news updates.
• Collaborate with colleagues when working on projects.
• Access tools to help them do their job efficiently.
• Connect with other employees on a social level.

So, if you’re wondering if your small business needs an intranet, the answer is yes! Read on to find out how to set up an intranet for a small business in Australia…

What is an intranet vs internet?

With the two terms sounding alike, it’s easy to confuse them to be the same thing. But there is a big difference.

• The internet: is a globally connected network. You can share information and communicate with people worldwide. Hence it is publicly available.
• The intranet: is a private communications network. It only allows people within an organisation to communicate, share and access information.

Other differences include

• The internet is the underlying technology used to connect the intranet.
• You can build, buy and sell the intranet.

There is also the extranet, which allows restricted access to people outside an organisation. Yet it is not publicly available. But, we won’t confuse you any further, and we’ll touch on this in another blog.

Why Your Small Business Needs an Intranet

Now you know the differences, below are some benefits you can expect from having an intranet for your small business.

The benefits of the Intranet

1. Securely share information: You avoid miscommunication through office Chinese whispers, as critical corporate information comes from one source.
2. Increased productivity: Managing workflow through emails can be tricky and inefficient. The intranet allows streamlining workflow by cutting out the clutter.
3. Make remote working a breeze: With the increase in remote and hybrid working post the COVID-19 pandemic, the intranet allows staff to access the tools required to get the job done when they’re not in the office.
4. Connect the workforce (internally and remotely): Teams from different departments and locations (internationally) benefit from collaborating on projects through one source. The intranet also allows team members to connect and engage with one another. Again, with remote working, the intranet helps staff to stay connected.
5. Reinforce business values: Through the intranet, you can continuously share your corporate mission and values. You can reinforce these through open collaboration and activities.
6. Easy access to information: This allows for improved efficiency with everything stored in one place. It also ensures vital project information isn’t lost when a staff member leaves.

How Intranets work and are secured

The intranet is hosted on a web server that uses TCP/IP, HTTP, and other internet protocols. You need a unique password connected to the company’s Local Area Network (LAN) to access the intranet. When working remotely, you need access through a secure connection such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

So, what makes this all so secure? Enter Firewalls. Firewalls guard between the external internet and the private intranet to provide security. They ensure malware, malicious attacks, and unauthorised requests do not enter the secure network of your intranet.

How to get an Intranet for your small business

You can build an intranet internally. But there are now a variety of intranet software applications available to buy. These are also known as Employee Experience Platforms. Each offers a wide array of applications based on your needs.

Contact Laminar for network solutions and cybersecurity

We help our clients make sense of the complications with building, operating, and owning modern IT networking Infrastructure. So, if you’re seeking intranet and cybersecurity solutions, contact us today!