s motivated by the many benefits of the Internet to use the intranet as a tool in developing a communications link to each dealer. Franchisees in far-flung places could easily be contacted and organized. Orders and inventories can be monitored from one location, decreasing the number of personnel and middle management. This flatter organizational structure provides for clearer communication between the field and office personnel. The Internet allows easy access for everyone with a PC, Internet connection, and the right passwords. The intranet keeps costs low. All modifications and developments to the websites are handled internally because Snap-On already owned the hardware and software to create the pages. Having an intranet as opposed to information on the public web allows for increased security. Developments and data Snap-On wants to keep secret from competitors can be hidden behind a firewall, that keeps unauthorized users from entering Snap-Ons corporate cyberspace, while Snap-On users can search anywhere on the Net that is not protected by a firewall. (Senn, 1998)...
