Those resources we link together are not merely the physical devices such as computers or fax machines. Most important of all are the people who themselves are connected by that Intranet. An Intranet encourages the members of the organization to make better and more informed decisions. An Intranet encourages and supports more effective use of people by people and should support faster and more efficient decision making processes. An Intranet achieves its purposes by providing a small number of common but very generalized software tools of great power and flexibility, rather than a large range of discrete specialized power tools that cannot work effectively with each other.
Intranets are therefore mechanisms for harmonization and integration.
The key issues here are experience and knowledge. A well designed Intranet should be an enabling technology. A well designed and properly implemented Intranet is a creative and empowering tool for the entire organization that permits any individual to bring the entire resources of the organization to bear on any specific task they undertake and to bring their own resources and expertise to bear upon the general purposes of the organization with greater effect.