Most businesses use an Intranet to make things easier for workers to acquire facilities and advice.
An intranet is a private service that connects Web-based technologies such as SMTP and HTTP to build a customized version of google that is exclusively available to corporate personnel.
A portal is utilized to increase efficiency even further by allowing users to access information swiftly. Like a web interface, an Intranet portal is better organized to multiple Networks.
There are many differences between intranets and portals, and this article is focused on highlighting them objectively.
Key Takeaways
- An intranet is a private network within an organization, while a portal is a web-based platform that provides access to various resources.
- Intranets are used for internal communication and collaboration, while portals can serve both internal and external users.
- Intranets have restricted access, while portals can have varying access levels depending on the user.
Intranet vs Portal
Intranet is a localized version of the internet and a closed system that is available for internal use within an organization. A portal is a point of entry that can be used to access many services. A portal is a communications and CMS platform used by an organization to interact internally and externally.
Today’s information technology is centred on private memos and internal conversations.
And, as firms use more advanced technology methods to connect with and retain workers, the need to successfully reach the frontline as well as in workers, regardless of where they work, is becoming increasingly important.
Intranets appeared in the 1990s at the same time as the web.
The distinction between both the internet and an intranet is straightforward: the internet is a large network used by everyone that is not controlled by any institution, but an intranet is privately funded and not available to anybody who has internet access.
A portal, on the other hand, is an internet framework that gathers data from various sources into a standardized interface and offers consumers one of the most relevant data for their situation.
Basic web portals have grown into gateway systems that serve digital client service objectives as time has passed.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Intranet | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The intranet is a personally customized subnetwork that is utilized by an enterprise. | A portal is an internet framework that gathers data from various sources into a standardized interface |
| Personalization and Customization | An intranet network can be customized and filtered according to the user. However the elements of personalization are limited till security, accessibility as well as interactivity. | A portal is fully customizable by the webpage designer. |
| Launched in | Intranets began as a rudimentary welcome page with little corporate information in the 1990s. | The first web portal was launched earlier than intranet in the year 1989. |
| Types | General IN webpage, Public sector intranet, HR intranet, Educational intranet, etc. | B2C portal, B2B portal, Partner portal, Community portal. |
| Utility | For secured and private network building. Used mostly by MNCs and big industries. | For researching, knowledge and educational purposes. News portals provide new and updated news components for the general public. |
What is the Intranet?
An intranet is a personally customized subnetwork that an enterprise utilizes. Its main goal is to assist employees in securely communicating with one another, storing information, and collaborating.
Social intranet capabilities enable the employees to establish accounts and publish, like, discuss and share the post on contemporary intranets.
Intranets has come a long way since their inception in the 1990s on the electronic landscape. It’s helpful to look backwards to the first versions to see that they’ve grown in order to comprehend the function they play now.
Following digital marketing along with social media trends, enterprise intranets now prioritize profile pages and include a variety of social capabilities such as @mentioning, #tagging, tweeting, and discussing.
Activity feeds give real-time insights and knowledge, while increasingly complex algorithms and data analytics enable increased personalization, allowing users to be shown until some.
With advancements in design, accessibility, performance, and user journeys, the user experience is receiving more attention and investment.
Intranets with integration capabilities are already commonplace, with many built to work in tandem with other applications.
Like any other credential-based network, Intranets are vulnerable to social engineering attacks. Furthermore, because old-school gateway solutions aren’t necessarily SaaS systems, they may be operating on outdated versions.
However, hacking is still a legitimate issue since any obsolete version of the technology is a potential threat, resulting in sensitive information and documentation being made publicly available.
What is Portal?
A portal is an elevated website with diverse information, products, and supplier links.
It serves as a value-added intermediary by picking, acquiring the required, and arranging them into an easy-to-navigate and modified experience for end-user representation.
Web browsing, information, reference tools, online access to e-marts and purchasing destinations, and networking facilities such as email as well as chat rooms are all common features of portals.
Sharing of knowledge and exchange is made easier using web content management platforms.
Self-service publication tools in a document management portal allow users to upload and distribute any file or Web material with other customers, including physically dispersed ones.
Consider a production team of experts, product owners, and quality control engineers operating from several locations worldwide. Each team has papers to distribute to individuals of their own group and the other groups.
Almost all users have the ability to upload information to the portal, and some individuals have the capacity to edit papers created by other individuals or groups.
Employees see gateways or portals as the next step in the growth of business intranets, intending to integrate back-office programs and allow employees to engage with them via a webpage or a web-based application.
Main Differences Between Intranet and Portal
- An intranet is a localized version of the Internet, whereas a portal is a point of entry to many services.
- While an intranet can exist without the need for a portal, a portal must have access to either an intranet or the internet.
- Intranets need the use of a search engine for surfing, whereas portals require simply a web browser and internet/intranet connectivity.
- Intranets were established in 1990, whereas web portals were offered in 1989.
- Intranet is not commonly seen or used by people, whereas portals are very commonly used, and portals are involved in everything starting from education to entertainment and even news.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The security aspects of Intranets and the vulnerability to social engineering attacks is indeed a significant point to be considered.
The piece provides an in-depth understanding of the intranet’s role in securely communicating and collaborating within an organization.
The article effectively illustrates the advancements in intranets and their integration capabilities, which are essential in today’s digital landscape.
The evolution of intranets from mere communication systems to more advanced, social media-like platforms is fascinating.
The detailed explanation of the use case scenarios for both intranets and portals helps in understanding the practical applications of these systems.
Intranets and portals are integral for any organization to function efficiently. This article provides a well-detailed comparison between the two, enabling readers to understand their differences and uses.
I agree, the content in this article is both insightful and informative.
The comparison table provides a clear and concise breakdown of the differences between intranets and portals.
The information on portals as value-added intermediaries is quite insightful and sheds light on the multifaceted nature of these platforms.
The comparison between intranet and portal launch dates adds historical context to the evolution of these technologies.
Absolutely, the article extensively covers the versatility of portals in integrating various functions for end users.