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122 Part 1 Introduction

received across the extranet it automatically triggers a scheduling order for the warehouse
(transferred by intranet), an order acknowledgement for the customer and a shipping status
when the order is shipped (Mougayer, 1998). To enable different applications within a com-
pany such as a sales ordering system and an inventory control system to interoperate with
each other and databases in other companies, requires an internal company intranet to be
created that can then communicate across an extranet with applications on another com-
Middleware pany intranet. To enable different applications on the intranet to communicate, middleware
Software used to facilitate is used by systems integrators to create links between organizational applications or between
communications between
business applications different members of a supply chain. For example, within a supply chain management
including data transfer system, middleware will translate requests from external systems such as a sales order so they
and control. are understood by internal systems (relevant fields are updated in the database) and then it
Enterprise will trigger follow-up events to fulfil the order.
application This middleware technology that is used to connect together different business applica-
integration (EAI)
tions and their underlying databases across extranets is now also referred to as enterprise
Software used to facilitate
communications between application integration (EAI) (Internet World, 1999). Such applications include a sales-order
business applications processing system and a warehousing system. It now also includes software programs from
including data transfer different organizations.
and control.
A final example of the use of an extranet on a global basis is that of Mecalux
(www.mecalux.com). Mecalux, based in Barcelona, is involved in the design, manufacture
and assembly of storage systems, from the simple slotted angle rack to sophisticated self-
supporting warehouses. Since it was formed in 1996, the company has expanded and has
offices in Argentina, Germany, the UK, France, Portugal, Singapore and Mexico. One of the
challenges of this expansion was to improve communications between its representatives
around the world and to supply them with the information needed to improve customer
service. The management team decided they wanted to create a paperless company where
information flows freely in all locations around the world. This makes it easier for the en-
gineers to have the information necessary to respond to any customer’s requirements. The
extranet created to solve this problem has, for example, enabled representatives in Singapore
to tap into data held on the server in Spain to check the availability of the product and get
the specifications (such as measurements and price) to a local customer in the shortest
possible timeframe. The solution also permits technicians and engineers to collaborate on
ideas and work together on future designs from anywhere in the world.

Firewalls

Firewall Firewalls are necessary when creating an intranet or extranet to ensure that outside access to
A specialized software confidential information does not occur. Firewalls are usually created as software mounted on
application mounted on a
server at the point where a separate server at the point where the company is connected to the Internet. Firewall soft-
the company is ware can then be configured to only accept links from trusted domains representing other
connected to the Internet. offices in the company. A firewall has implications for e-marketing since staff accessing a web
Its purpose is to prevent
unauthorized access into site from work may not be able to access some content such as graphics plug-ins.
the company from The use of firewalls within the infrastructure of a company is illustrated in Figure 3.6. It is
outsiders.
evident that multiple firewalls are used to protect information on the company. The infor-
mation made available to third parties over the Internet and extranet is partitioned by
another firewall using what is referred to as the ‘demilitarized zone’ (DMZ). Corporate data
on the intranet are then mounted on other servers inside the company.
The design of security measures for e-business is reviewed in the Focus on security design
(Chapter 11, p. 652).

Encouraging use of intranets and extranets
Although intranets and extranets have many benefits for the business, they often represent a
change to existing methods of working for business people. As such, encouraging their usage
is often a challenge. In many ways, this challenge is similar to encouraging customers to use