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== A rough sketch == = Build an Intranet =
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 1. choose applications: discussions, announcements, manage info, manage documents

 1. choose server: Like MS IIS WebProgramming

 1. choose database, SQL Server is a good choice

 1. generate content: Using Front Page works well, Python XML libraries, libraries to generate HTML

 1. generate navigation buttons: GraphicsAndImages

 1. test: urllib, htmllib, xmlrpc

 1. use Python to automate deployment, testing, documentation

 1. ????

 1. Profit!


== The free way ==

Well, the above looks like been written by and for "Microsoft people".

A potentially more stable and definitely more ''free'' way to build an intranet is like that:

 1. choose applications: discussions, announcements, manage info, manage documents

 1. choose server and OS: Apache on Linux

 1. generate content: use a wiki engine like MoinMoin (it is like that thing you are looking at ''right now'')

 1. teach yourself and people to do it the Wiki:WikiWay

 1. just use it - you will see that you can do LOTS of things with that setup without needing to extend it.


== The traditional way ==

If you need a more traditional Intranet solution, you might do it like this:
For an intranet solution for a company or organisation of almost any size, the processes might look something like this:
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    * Announcements - this is often needed, but where do they come from, how are they entered?

    * Discussions - are these really required? Do employees really get to have a say on announcements and other things? ;)
    * Announcements - this is often needed, but where do they come from, how are they entered? Consider the review workflow (if any).
    * Discussions - are these really required? Do employees really get to have a say on announcements and other things? What about the public?
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 1. Now think about WebProgramming solutions for a moment.

    * Would Zope and some add-on application (like Squishdot, for example), or even a stand-alone solution do the business?

    * Or are you looking at some development on top of a framework?

 1. Now choose a server! Apache on Linux is quite nice, but you may not need Apache if you're set on running a multi-protocol server like Zope.

 1. Generate content: if you're lucky, you get to choose one of the PresentationTechnologies. And there's probably lots of existing documents lying around anyway.

 1. Navigation buttons don't really merit a "top level" mention. :)
 1. Now think about ContentManagement solutions for a moment.
    * Would an established solution like Plone be enough, perhaps with customisation?
    * Or are you looking at some development from the ground up on top of one of the ["WebFrameworks"]?
 1. Now choose a server! Apache on GNU/Linux is quite versatile, but you may not need Apache if you're set on running a multi-protocol server like Zope or even one of the ["WebServers"].
 1. Generate content:
    * A Wiki engine like MoinMoin (the basis for the Python Wiki) can provide a flexible solution, especially where the editing and review processes aren't fully defined or mapped out.
    * You may be extracting data from different sources and then need to present it as Web pages. Here, the PresentationTechnologies and ["Templating"] may provide good solutions. And there's probably lots of existing documents lying around anyway which can be served up as they are.
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Any profit will come from reducing those costs which come from people shuffling paper around all day. ;)

Build an Intranet

For an intranet solution for a company or organisation of almost any size, the processes might look something like this:

  1. Find out what applications you need:
    • Announcements - this is often needed, but where do they come from, how are they entered? Consider the review workflow (if any).
    • Discussions - are these really required? Do employees really get to have a say on announcements and other things? What about the public?
    • Other information - project databases, competence databases - are these already around, or is it some Excel spreadsheet someone is keeping?
    • Manage documents - are they structured or categorised in some way? What kind of documents are they?
  2. Now think about ContentManagement solutions for a moment.

    • Would an established solution like Plone be enough, perhaps with customisation?
    • Or are you looking at some development from the ground up on top of one of the ["WebFrameworks"]?

  3. Now choose a server! Apache on GNU/Linux is quite versatile, but you may not need Apache if you're set on running a multi-protocol server like Zope or even one of the ["WebServers"].

  4. Generate content:
    • A Wiki engine like MoinMoin (the basis for the Python Wiki) can provide a flexible solution, especially where the editing and review processes aren't fully defined or mapped out.

    • You may be extracting data from different sources and then need to present it as Web pages. Here, the PresentationTechnologies and ["Templating"] may provide good solutions. And there's probably lots of existing documents lying around anyway which can be served up as they are.

  5. Integrate into business processes - not only merits a "top level" mention, but an entire Web site devoted to it. :)

  6. Test! It's nice if your WebProgramming framework allows development and testing outside a Web browser, XML-RPC, SOAP, etc. Like from the command prompt, for example.


CategoryPythonInBusiness

BuildAnIntranet (last edited 2013-02-04 19:57:46 by techtonik)

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