Intranets uncovered

Projections show that based on revenue, the intranet market will exceed the Internet market by a ratio of two to one through 1999. This article looks at how companies are using intranets and whether those companies are using intranet technology to deliver training. EDS, Digital Equipment, and JCPenney use their intranets to house career libraries, training schedules, and job postings. Other choices for what to put on a corporate intranet include search engines, employee phone directories, and corporate newsletters. In addition to storing static information, an intranet can be a training vehicle. For example, Graybar has started to put more than 250 proprietary CBT modules on its intranet. The modules use multiple-choice questions to test employees. Responses are transmitted to the training module's database via IBTauthor software. Training on intranets can provide just-in-time, on-demand learning. Employees can review and practice material at their own pace and receive feedback instantaneously. Internet- and intranet-based technology opens up all kinds of possibilities for collaborative work, says Mani S. Iyer, president of TeamScape. One barrier that is inhibiting training via intranets is bandwidth-the data transmission capacity of a network connection. This problem, however, can be minimized by using new new technologies more efficiently. In addition, new developments including video, sound, and animation, are making intranet training more dynamic. Several tools such as RealAudio, Shockwave, and Adobe Acrobat are discussed in detail.