10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Intranet | Drawbacks & Benefits of Intranet

 

Intranet: What is it?

An intranet is a type of computer network that uses internet technologies to distribute company information among many users. Business firms utilize it mostly to support their employees' communication efforts. In fact, it has been the most widely used method of more secure communication for the past few decades.

What does an intranet serve as?

In addition to communication, intranets offer other features including document repositories, social networking tools, and personalized forms. Corporate servers that are accessible over a LAN or a private dial-up media make up an intranet.


Even while intranets have numerous advantages, there are some aspects of them that make them inferior to contemporary solutions. When compared to an intranet, these contemporary technologies are more efficient and smooth. Therefore, in order for users to determine whether this solution would be appropriate for their organization, these unique benefits and drawbacks must be identified.


I will be discussing 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Intranet | Drawbacks & Benefits of Intranet. You will learn the pros and cons of using the intranet from this post.

Now let's get started,

Advantages of Intranet

1. Cost

Using an intranet to communicate information is incredibly inexpensive. For a very cheap subscription cost, the intranet's services are available to all companies. 

 

Furthermore, maintenance, publishing, and other expenses are free. Intranet is therefore extremely cost-effective.


2. Availability

Employees can access their information from anywhere at any time by using the intranet. It is not required of employees to work in front of computers. 

 

Anywhere in the world, you can rapidly access information by using the cloud portal's services. For employees who travel frequently for work, this simplifies their workload.


3. Information Exchange

Employees can keep material on the intranet and use it as a communication hub at any time. Files can be downloaded and accessible in a matter of seconds. 

 

Thus, businesses can guarantee that the information reaches every department inside the organization.


4. Communication

Within an enterprise, intranets enable quick and affordable communication. That too in both vertical and horizontal directions. 

 

Information can be edited, commented on, and stored on an intranet regardless of its actual location. Employees at both companies are free to voice their ideas through chat rooms, groups, and emails. 

 

Because workers in commercial organizations may connect with one another with just a click, it also cuts down on employee travel time.


5. Productivity

Using the intranet has improved productivity overall. It makes all the information easily accessible so that employees won't have any trouble finding it. 

 

As a result, workers are able to do tasks more precisely and effectively. A company's productivity may suffer if more time is spent locating the necessary files. 

 

In addition to employees, supervisors can gain from intranet productivity. The manager has more time to devote to information analysis. 

 

 

6. Social Networking

An intranet can be utilized to foster a social work environment where employees bond more deeply with one another. 

 

Using social media platforms for social networking is the most common method. 

 

Social media gives workers the freedom to engage with each other and define their own personalities. Overall job performance and employee happiness are assured. 

7. Web Publishing

The ability to post content online is one of the intranet's most notable benefits. Documents, staff handbooks, and corporate policies can be accessed through web technology. 

 

A web browser can be used to easily view all of the information.



8. Time Savings

Workers in a certain company only ask for information when it's necessary. Since the amount of selected information is little, it typically takes less time. 

 

Furthermore, there is no physical document maintenance involved in this process. This may also result in further time savings.


9. Collaboration

The degree of collaboration that intranets facilitate is another advantage. Employees across departments can work together and exchange pertinent data with ease. 

 

This has the potential to break down barriers to communication that exist between management and departments. Consequently, resulting in cooperation to achieve the common objective.


10. Decision Making

Management will be able to make better judgments since staff members from various departments can exchange ideas and information. 

 

Sufficient information must be at hand in order to make an informed decision. 

 

Disadvantages of Intranet

1. Security

Intranet systems are susceptible to security vulnerabilities even with their various security safeguards. 

 

In the absence of firewalls or gateways, a third party may be able to access your personal information. As a result, corporations lose some privacy when accessing the intranet. 

 

2. Implementation

Depending on the kind of intranet solutions and user count, intranet implementations are typically expensive. 

 

A separate training program and an upgrade are also required for efficient intranet solution use. It takes time and effort to apply all of these, which makes it challenging. 

3. Complexity

One classifies intranets as complicated systems. Many employees are intimidated by its intricacy and reluctant to use it. 

 

Additionally, users of intranets must do independent administration, which can take time. 

 

 

4. Updates

Regular updates to an intranet system reduce the likelihood of usability problems. But there's still the issue of where to look. 

 

Finding an intranet system that is updated might be very difficult. 

 

These intranet networks frequently have poor customer service. Therefore, it will be difficult for firm employees to adjust to it. 

5. Onboarding

At the time of debut, employees should always be satisfied with the intranet. Staff members will stop using it if there is no valuable content. Thus, content is crucial in this situation.


6. Management

Intranets struggle with self-management. Its contents must be controlled throughout and must be examined on a regular basis. 

 

Workers must be in charge of maintaining the program and ensuring that it runs on a regular basis. They also require specific training for this. 

7. Real Time Interactions

There are extremely few in-person interactions because the intranet is mostly used for computer-based work. 

 

Absence of in-person interactions can impede businesses and limit the personal bonds that employees have with one another. 

8. User Experience

The user experience of intranets is so poor that even people are reluctant to utilize them. Its purpose is to make the user's work easier. 

 

Workers are still trying to figure out how to access their information via the intranet. 

 

 

9. Work Culture

For intranet to be effective, there must be adjustments made to the workplace culture. This may assign more questions and assignments. 

 

If they are not distributed in the right amounts, they may accumulate and cause havoc in the company.



10. Information Overhead

The overhead of the data that an intranet solution must store presents another difficulty. 

 

Many people may find it confusing when there is an abundance of information on the intranet. 

 

The user is inclined to ignore information that is excessively abundant in comparison to what is most significant.