Web-Weaving: Intranets, Extranets and Strategic Alliances (Paperback)

This book mainly examines the complex web of relationships that exist inside, outside, and between organisations called respectively, intranets, extranets and strategic alliances. Intranets have become more and more popular in recent times as the number of Internet users increases at a phenomenal pace. It has become the dominant delivery system for working and virtual teams in the last five years.

Extranets have come to the fore as they have become intertwined and inextricably linked with company's supply chains. It is being used to develop and strengthen ebusiness, providing the economic backbone to the way business will be done in the next century. And finally, strategic alliances are allowing for partnerships and businesses to grow closer and work together in a way thought to be impossible only a few years ago.

The book itself is collection of articles and writings that have been combined where possible with case studies to illustrate the theories and demonstrate their ideas where necessary. What gives the book its edge is the fact that the reader is exposed to more than one author's naturally biased opinion and selective writings. Instead, one is treated to thoughtful and provoking insights from different men and women, providing a more even and balanced outlook. The book is divided roughly into 3 main parts: Chapters 1-4 focus on the internal organisation, Chapters 5-9 concentrate on extranets and Chapters 10-13 study the emphasis and popularity of virtual teams.

In Part II of the book, we are given many examples of companies who have used these technologies to improve their businesses, add value for their customers, and enhance the ways in which they take on their competition. Many of the case studies have been seen before while others are slightly unusual as the authors show where companies seemingly lack the necessary infrastructure to survive and turn a profit. These are too short, they lack depth, and are often written in a style more suited to fictional writing then a relevant business issue. They are worth a summary glance for the inexperienced person mainly if there were any points that were confusing in the Part I. The case studies seem to be focused on the topics discussed before, and while although interesting to see the execution of the theory previously considered, they are simply not clear or compelling enough.

Part III in the book covers the final 10 chapters of the book, which mainly concentrates on the future use of intranets and extranets. This takes a rather fictional look at the future of these tools in the business world of the 21st century. However these visionaries are not to be taken lightly as they include the likes of Bill Gates, Don Tapscott and other IT and management leaders, as well as anthropological researchers offer their opinions on the years to come.

In the first three chapters we have some of the most powerful men in information technology giving their predictions on the future of these technological tools. They see these implements being used in everyday appliances, with everything electronic web-enabled in some way or form, allowing more simplistic control. They point out the possibility of fibre optics and all emphasis the need for development in the area of security. Bill Gates buys into the vision of the intranet as the nervous system of business, allowing organisations to move to a less paper-based environment and sees the future as being unlimited. He also emphasises the need for these systems to be more flexible, to empower workers and to be prepared for the changes in the lifestyles of people as well: this is the key to its success, customer needs.

The final part of the book provides interesting insights to some of the most relevant thoughts on this issue by the giants in this field (although the IT slant is clear). And that is all it is: interesting. I personally believe that their predictions have still got quite a long way to advance in this decade and web-enabled radios will not be in everyone's home for some time to come. Overall the book provides an unequal slant but for understanding the basics of intranets and extranets on a theoretical level, it was quite good even today.