Integrating a corporation's computing environment with Internet technology can help companies dramatically increase the effectiveness of their business management systems. The key themes and benefits associated with the Internet and intranets are:

* Simplify internal information management and improve internal communication by applying page and link paradigms. Navigation and search paradigms pioneered on the Internet make it easier for users to find, create, and analyze information.

* Seamlessly integrate internal corporate networks with the Internet to enhance communication between a business and its customers and partners.

* Simplify applications development, deployment, and administration to help companies streamline development life-cycles.

* Integrate new products and Internet technologies with existing infrastructure and legacy systems to enable companies to leverage their technology investment and evolve information technology systems smoothly.

The end user expectations of an intranet include that it be easy to use, fast, and reliable. Consistent with all production systems, MIS needs an intranet to be secure, cost effective, scaleable, and manageable.

Enhanced communication functionality: Audio conferencing (NetMeeting), Secure/high-bandwidth channel over the Internet (PPTP), Web technology integrated into Office 97, Active Desktop, Outlook/Exchange

Streamline software management examples: easier deployment of software over an intranet since everyone has the same browser interface, platform-independent development, easy downloadable software components/applets on demand, automatic upgrades of software over the intranet, and admin. functions over the intranet.