Vibrant MCSE BOOT Camp Notes :

PCs Versus File Servers

With legacy groupware, much of the computation and work is done by the individual PC; so most of the application must reside on the individual PC. Thus, there must be a fairly homogenous group of PCs on the network. They must all look alike, run the same software, and communicate in the same way. Traditional groupware systems focus on the PC, which is great if you have a controlled environment, such as an office in which someone is responsible for making sure all the PCs' hardware and software are working correctly. However, when the users' computers are at home, or the users are in multiple offices, this task is often difficult, if not impossible. With an intranet, the server performs almost all functions, and the PC interface is merely for display. On an intranet, users from any platform, anywhere, can access information with the aid of a simple, flexible, "lightweight" client interface (like a Netscape browser). "Lightweight" refers to a software program that doesn't demand a lot of system resources.

With a TCP/IP-based intranet solution, which uses a client/server approach, all the PCs depend on the main server or one central computer to do the majority of computations and run most applications. In this way, the individual computer does a minimum level of work, and the server does the bulk of the work.

There are pluses and minuses with both applications. With the groupware system, it is not necessary to purchase a big server or a high-tech computer. And if one computer is disabled, the others on the network will continue to operate; whereas with the client/server-based intranet, if the server goes down, the whole network is down.

On the other hand, it is possible to use any kind of computer with a TCP/IP client/server-based network because of its open architecture. For example, if you wanted to create a World Wide Web site on an internal network, it is possible to use a slow 386-PC, Power Mac, or computer using OS/2, with your choice of hardware. All could access the same information and communicate in the same way with all the computers on the network.

Which type of internal network an organization chooses to use will depend on its needs, capabilities, and resources. There are still certain ways that a legacy groupware system could meet the needs of an organization better than an intranet, but those situations are limited in scope and that market is growing smaller and smaller.

A true legacy groupware system is strictly internal, meaning that it is completely self-contained on a network. All the information available to the users is right there on the system. With an intranet, many intranets are connected to the Internet. This makes it possible to connect your network to the Internet, allowing users to access volumes of information and resources from which they would be cut off with traditional groupware.

As more organizations realize that it makes good business sense to run multiple platforms and to diversify their inventory of computers, these firms increasingly will turn to intranet technology. Organizations will realize that a comparable mix of computers is not necessary and that modern demands will continue to change the face of the workplace, making it necessary for people to connect from multiple locations, including the home, the car, the airport, the hotel, and business meetings. Also, users will find that having the ability to perform traditional groupware functions from multiple platforms will keep them in the forefront of evolving technology. What follows are a few examples of software packages that have used the Internet as a means of organizing information and communication.

Action Workflow Metro was one of the first systems to turn a Web browser, such as Netscape, into a client for workflow services. By using the Internet as a common platform, Action Workflow Metro changes the Action Workflow System into a way of coordinating personal work, tracking business processes, and facilitating business-to-business interactions. Metro allows users to publish documents on the Web, in either HTML or non-HTML format; attach them to the Action Workflow System; and assign them an Internet address.

Using the Internet as a platform, LiveLink Intranet by OpenText offers a series of applications for document management, workflow, searching, and building your own object-oriented environment. LiveLink allows managers and work groups to direct production through a Web interface, collaborate more effectively on business ventures, and easily exchange information.

N-Plex for Windows NT is another type of software that allows data management through the Web. The N-Plex Server includes an Internet Mail Server, Web Server, and Proxy Server, as well as an Internet Message Store and Management Center. These applications give the users the capability to transfer information both globally and within the secure environment of an intranet.

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