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Ideally, clients & agencies have aligned interests, & they usually do. Today there are real challenges to that distinctive alignment, forcing clients & agencies to look for new & better ways to collaborate. Enter easy-to-use, web based extranets.
What is an extranet?
Specifically, an extranet is a private web site that provides a secure environment for a select group of users to share documents & information.
Although it is accessed through a web browser, su…
extranet,intranet,advertising,agency,software,document,collaboration
Ideally, clients & agencies have aligned interests, & they usually do. Today there are real challenges to that distinctive alignment, forcing clients & agencies to look for new & better ways to collaborate. Enter easy-to-use, web based extranets.
What is an extranet?
Specifically, an extranet is a private web site that provides a secure environment for a select group of users to share documents & information.
Although it is accessed through a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, it differs from a public web site in that it can be used only by an audience that has permission to access it through the use of IDs & passwords.
Agencies use extranets as a client service tool to share documents with clients & vendors, to organize projects, & to archive previous work for direct client access. There is no limit on the size of files that can be posted, allowing agencies to share text documents, graphics, audio, video, message boards, & data.
Often, extranets are used to replace email as a means to communicate within & across work groups. Unlike email, all communication is secure & any size document can be exchanged. Plus, an extranet provides a system for filing all the documents into project-related folders as part of the exchange process.
An extranet increases agency efficiency & makes a client’s life easier by saving time & frustration. An extranet facilitates faster & easier access to materials. Essentially, it is a web-based filing cabinet shared by the agency & its client.
Controlled by the agency, it puts both current projects & past work within effortless reach at any time, resulting in distinctive time savings for both you & your client.
It provides instant client feedback & a permanent record of all comments & activity. Input & decisions are fully documented, & the work-flow moves faster in a more informed environment.
In addition to supporting day-to-day client service, extranets can be used in a assortment of ways. Agencies with retail clients use them to service retail locations throughout the country, or to support clients with multiple offices that need a single source for the agency’s work.
Choosing an extranet
As with all ad agency software, when choosing an extranet there are a assortment of choices, each with its own strengths & weaknesses. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you examine the alternatives:
Does it support the way you work now? If you have to alter the way you work, it’s possible that your staff will be reluctant to use it. The extranet design should allow you to move forward without upsetting the way you & your clients currently work together.
Will your staff & client want to use it? The more complex the extranet, the less it will be used. Consider carefully the features that you really need, & select an extranet that offers only those features. That will assure that it’s effortless to learn, & effortless to use.
Does it have the tools your agency needs? Make sure that the extranet supports all the applications used in agency/client collaboration. For instance, assure that it will stream audio & video. And look for tools that allow you to create folder structures that mimic your current approach to communicating, filing work, etc.
Today, clients have less & less time. Projects are moving faster & faster, & there is less administrative support available to both client & agency.
An extranet addresses these issues directly, & offers the advantage of having all pertinent information available 24/7 from literally anyplace on the globe, within a highly secure environment.
Ultimately, the case for an extranet is driven by everyone’s desire to be more efficient & effective, with less frustration & aggravation.