Though the title of this article may sound like salt in one's dessert, but my musings have quite naturally headed in this direction with the storm clouds of hurricane season brewing. To be honest, the thought isn't completely original, and my musings on this subject were evoked only after reading this article.
It will not be exaggeration to say that small businesses, running out of small offices or even homes, are most affected by hurricanes. When the roof of your home is flying around, or when you're huddled in s storm shelter, business information isnt exactly on top of your mind. But your business does suffer, and many a time you have to pick up the pieces or even start from scratch. Here are a few ways in which a robust intranet solution can help keep your business together even when the winds are swirling around.
1. Backup- An intranet solution with automatic backups ensures that even when information stored at one location is lost, it is always retrievable from the backed up location. Web based solutions offer automatic backups, and the information is never really on your local servers to be lost. It is stored in secure facilities scattered around the country, so you can rest easy.
2. Work Together Remotely - Stormy weather may prevent employees from coming to the office facility, but a robust intranet solution ensures that most of the tasks (collaborating on documents, discussing issues, planning, scheduling projects) may be done with everyone working from home.
3. Web Conferencing- Sometimes when mere exchange of information does not suffice, employees can get together and verbally discuss issues using web conferencing integrated with the intranet. It may not exactly be like being together in the board room, but it serves the purpose.
4. Extranets- Extranets, which are merely an extension of intranets, are a good way to keep the ball rolling when you're collaborating with clients and partners. The fact that you continue working on joint projects even with hurricanes in the region, will surely strengthen bonds.
