Cost, staff expectations among issues to consider

Setting up an intranet is a subjective process in terms of the time and money required, but computer consultants say good planning will reward businesses with lower maintenance costs and a flexible system that is easy to update or change.

A major consideration is finding out what everyone involved expects from the intranet what do they want it to do?

"Discuss with them the whole concept of taking important internal information and making it simple to disseminate. Should this set of employees always have to ask personnel for a copy of the vacation policy? Does it make more sense for them to go to a Web browser and read it?" said Greg Clift, president of PC Net Inc.

Budget is important what is the estimated cost? This will include hardware, software, Web server, staff time, license fees, training and more.

Security is an issue, as well. The type and depth of security needed for an intranet or extranet will depend on specific factors.

Set-up costs vary widely. "If it is a very tiny company with little documentation and policy needs, it may be possible to create something for $1,000, if they already have an existing network," Clift said. "You can't base the cost on the number of employees. It's a needs analysis."

"Costs involved include the cost of programming time; somebody has to come up with what they want and a design; Internet access; (and) maintenance," said Nancy Cribbs, general manager of Integrated Solutions Group.

And there are free options, as well, according to Kevin Doel of Talon Partners, a two-person agency with one partner in Texas and the other in Kansas.

"We share information (Microsoft Word documents, schedules, etc.) through the intranet provided for free through Intra-nets.com. It's an interesting service, especially for smaller businesses with employees in multiple locations," Doel said.

"Intranets are not yet a hot technology in this region, but people may be using them and not knowing it," Clift said.

"I'm certain intranets have a future in the Ozarks. ... A lot of folks aren't yet aware of what an intranet can do for them," he added.

Resources

For definitions:

http://www.techWeb.com/encyclopedia/

To learn more:

"Extranets: The Complete Sourcebook," by Richard H. Baker, McGraw Hill's Beta Books (excerpt available at http://intranet journal.earthWeb.com)

"Intranet Planning Guide," by Norman E. Smith at

http://intranetjournal. earthWeb.com/planning/030899_intraguide.html