Let’s look at some of the key benefits of extranets. In today’s digital age, extranets are highly beneficial regardless of the organization type as they offer vital features like file sharing, enabling real-time conversations, syncing calendars, etc.

The automotive industry uses extranets to connect various internal departments within their manufacturing ecosystem.

Suppliers use an extranet to update their customers on the inventory status or changed prices of different items.

The academic sector uses an extranet for online learning and administration.

Publishing firms use extranets to share content with authors, freelancers, and other editorial staff.

Web design firms and architects use extranets to engage clients in ongoing projects.

Internal Revenue Service, use extranets to allow users to submit e-documents.

Government authorities, such as the U.S.

Financial institutions and banks use extranets to allow users to carry out transactions.

Other industries that use extranets include the following: For example, top logistics companies like FedEx and UPS use extranets to allow their customers to access tracking facilities in real-time. However, organizations across sectors find immense value in implementing extranets within their IT frameworks.

Today, extranets have been replaced with the SaaS and cloud computing paradigm as corporate ecosystems are on the rise. Considering the capabilities of such upcoming technologies, companies wanted to exploit them to boost their tie-ups with external parties. Such networks extend the company’s internal network, which is key for knowledge exchange and collaboration with vendors, suppliers, clients, and customers.Įxtranet emerged in the late 1990s when internet technology was gaining popularity. An extranet is a private network or platform enterprises use to give their business partners and third parties limited access to their internal information and processes typically reserved for their own employees.

Extrabet