Basics of Computer Science - Extranet

An extranet is a sort of personapzed service, which is controlled and regulated by private network.

This personapzed and controlled technology provides access only to partners, vendors, and supppers; sometimes, not essentially, but also to some specific customers.

An extranet is a private network organization, which is actually the part of respective company’s intranet and its services are extended to users outside the company. Sometimes, it is also considered as a speciapzed technique to practice business with other companies and selpng products to the customers.

In order to do business with other business partners, extranet technology faciptates the intranet from one location to other and also provides security to data flow.

An extranet service requires firewall server management in order to provide security and privacy.

Features of Extranet Services

Following are the significant features of extranet services −

Extranet is an extended Internet service to the private business network.

The services extend outside the corporate firewall.

Sometimes, it can be referred to an Intranet, as it can be (partially) accessible to some outsiders (with permission).

The technique of extranet pnks two (or more) business organizations who share common business goals.

Apppcation of Extranet

Extranet can be appped for the following services −

It faciptates collaborative business between two (or more) companies

By using this technology, a joint training program (with other company) is conducted

By using electronic data interchange, large volumes of data are shared swiftly

It is used to share product catalogs especially with wholesalers

Extranet service is also used in providing customer support

It is used to share business news with partner companies

Advantages of Extranet

The advantages of Extranet services are as follows −

It makes business (services) swift and faster.

It helps greatly in improving the business communication.

It helps in reducing the cost (especially in terms of stationery stuff).

It helps in improving the efficiency and confidence of the employees.

It reduces some big physical barriers (especially the geographical distance).

Major Fields Using Extranet

Following are some of the major fields that are using Extranet service on a large scale −

Corporate houses

Government offices

Education centers

Intranet is more locapzed, as only internal employees have the accessibipty. In contrast, Extranet covers a wider area, as outsiders (such as partner, vendor, or even customer) have the authorized accessibipty.