The first use of intranets is the same as one of the most common uses of the Internet, dissemination of information. Using intranets to make information available to employees is quick, efficient and inexpensive in that paper and printing costs aren't involved. Many companies are using intranets to set up corporate phone directories, necessary employee information, insurance, procedure manuals, job postings and more. They are setting up information libraries containing material relevant to the companies' purpose. Some companies are setting up departmental and personal pages which contain relevant information as well.
Intranets make document management fast, efficient, and inexpensive.
Schools can use intranets to disseminate information in much the same way. School policies, procedures, manuals and schedules, could be published on intranets as well as information which could be made available via password access. GVSU, for example, publishes student grades, account and degree status information. Individual student privacy is protected because this information can only be accessed by students with their password. Schools could make this, exam grades, and other information available to parents as well if an extranet situation were included or schools created a community, rather than just a school, intranet.