Advantages

Information sharing is simple

Without an extranet, you're likely sharing files with outside parties via email. This leads to outdated document versions, large file attachments clogging up inboxes, and important information being lost or overlooked. It can also be time consuming and irritating to search for information buried deep in email threads.

An extranet ensures all relevant information - including all versions of uploaded documents - is in one place. Add to that the index ability of a modern solution, and everyone finds what they need in a matter of seconds.

Documents Are Safe And Secure.

Information is the lifeblood of any organization. With an extranet, your important documents will be up to date and stored securely, typically with SSL encryption. A robust extranet can provide access control, enabling you to limit access to certain areas and files. It can even provide an audit trail, letting you see which users have accessed files and when.

Professional branding makes a great impression.

Extranets can be customized to your requirements, helping you project a positive, professional image to clients. Not only can you create a secure, online environment, but it can also be branded to appear as your organization's own collaboration solution.

Information Management Is Easy.

It's simple for internal staff and third parties to collaborate within a modern extranet, including remote workers. Users can access the information and tools they need from any laptop, desktop or smartphone or mobile device, and work on common documents at their convenience.

Reduced margin of error.

An extranet can reduce your margin of error, especially when you use it to give specific groups access to internal applications. This could involve something as simple as giving customers access to their order histories, or something as complex as processing orders from distributors and suppliers.

Flexibility

When you use an extranet to make information and applications available to partners, clients, and customers, everyone can operate when and where it's most convenient. This self-serve approach frees you from unnecessary meetings and phone tag, and it cuts down on the costs associated with in-person information exchanges. For example, an extranet may allow you to provide customer-service information outside of regular business hours.

Timely and Accurate Information.

On an extranet you can instantly change, edit, and update sensitive information such as price lists or inventory information. Compared to typical paper-based publishing processes, an extranet offers a unique opportunity to get hot information into the right hands before it cools - and before it's out-of-date.

Shorter time to market

If your business is not moving at "Internet speed", you risk being left behind. An extranet can help you get your products to market more quickly by making proposals and specifications available to suppliers, and giving clients and partners up-to-date information on current projects.

Reduced Inventory

One of the hallmarks of a business-to-business extranet is its impact on supply-chain management. By linking your inventory system directly to a supplier, you can process orders as soon as the system knows you need them, thus reducing the stock you keep on hand and making the procurement process more efficient.

Build customer loyalty

Extranets make business easier for your customers. The more you make timely, accurate information available to your customers, the more likely it is you'll keep their business.

As these examples demonstrate, an extranet can help you spend less on supplies, staffing, and other overhead costs. Given the investment an extranet requires, it may take time for savings to become apparent. Over a period of weeks or months, however, eliminating even one paper-based process can yield dramatic savings.