| An extranet is a private website that is accessible | | | | 2) If you have a meeting or an important |
| only to employees and other people associated with | | | | appointment, make sure you can share a calendar of |
| a company. There are many reasons why small | | | | events with the concerned people through the |
| businesses need an extranet connection. This article | | | | extranet. |
| discusses all you need to know about extranet for | | | | 3) File sharing is an important part of the extranet if |
| small businesses, its advantages, and choosing the | | | | you wish to send many documents to your clients or |
| right extranet for your business. | | | | contractors. |
| Advantages of Extranet for Small Businesses: | | | | 4) The extranet should be synchronized with |
| The extranet simplifies communication, data | | | | Microsoft Office and other relevant software. |
| management and issues related to promotion of | | | | 5) The extranet should be easy to navigate. People |
| products. Discussed below are some advantages of | | | | should not just be able to find information on a |
| having an extranet system: | | | | particular page but also be able to search the site |
| 1) Communicating with Customers--if you run the kind | | | | with keywords. |
| of business that requires you to communicate with | | | | 6) Update alerts are another great feature of most |
| clients frequently, or you need to be in touch with | | | | extranet services. People interested in your services |
| your contractors, vendors, and suppliers all the time, | | | | should be able to get email alerts when the site is |
| then the extranet helps you stay connected with | | | | updated. |
| them. | | | | Data Security in Extranet Service: |
| 2) Streamlined Communications--the extranet can | | | | Data security is a major concern for small businesses |
| streamline the communication between the company | | | | that choose to put information online. Here are a few |
| management or employees and their customers, | | | | things you can do to ensure that the information you |
| contractors, and other service providers. | | | | put online is secure and cannot be accessed by |
| 3) Online Conferencing--One of the biggest | | | | anyone apart from the designated members: |
| advantages of having an extranet connection. Just | | | | 1) The company that provides you the extranet |
| add web cams and special software, and you are | | | | service should be reliable and financially successful. |
| ready for an online meeting with your clients or | | | | 2) If your data is hosted by an external services |
| service providers. | | | | provider, make sure that it is safe in case of theft |
| 4) Records keeping--through the extranet, you can | | | | and weather issues. |
| keep the records of the communication between | | | | By following the above guidelines, you will be able to |
| you and other parties, which is very useful in case of | | | | select the best extranet system for your business. |
| lawsuits. | | | | An extranet system not only helps you streamline |
| How to Choose an Extranet Service: | | | | communications with employers but keep a record of |
| The following is a checklist you might want to | | | | all communications with the third parties. |
| consider when choosing an extranet connection for | | | | If you wish to install an extranet system, or want to |
| your small business: | | | | know how it can help your small business, contact a |
| 1) Availability of chat rooms to which you can restrict | | | | small business consultant. |
| access according to your requirements. | | | | |