How Orchidnet Works
In technical terms, Orchidnet is a dynamic intranet/extranet that is available to your employees, customers and partners.



Orchidnet consists of a series of web-based applications, all of which share a common user interface that provides you with a single gateway to company-wide information.

In addition, Orchidnet offers feature-rich functionality, a consistently high level of compatibility and a comprehensive administration and security model.
Benefits of the Orchidnet Framework:
Orchidnet offers you a single entry point for all of your applications by using a consistent interface, and the proven, reliable set of internal frameworks described below.



In addition to these frameworks, Orchidnet also consists of the 3 Cs (Community, Content and Contacts) as well as both Standard and Optional applications.

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Community


Orchidnet helps everybody work together
With Orchidnet it is easy to create online communities; users can share their thoughts, documents, news and information in complete confidence.

There are many applications within Orchidnet that help you to build and develop online communities, including:
  • Forum
  • Messenger
  • Wiki
  • Article
  • Quick Poll
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Content


Content that everyone can create and share
Orchidnet allows even non-technical users to create and publish content online.

With over 20 content creation applications, users can create and share information with the rest of the organisation through simple forms or other familiar applications (such as Microsoft Word).
  • Content can be easily created with simple-to-use publishing wizards
  • Content authors are automatically informed when their content needs to be reviewed
  • Orchidnet automatically informs users of new content that might be of interest
  • Stylesheets can be used to ensure a consistent look and feel for all published content
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Contacts
Find anyone at the touch of a button
Orchidnet makes it easy to manage contacts both inside and outside your organisation; you can add and manage users, or search your entire contact database, from within the same CRM application.

Key Contact Manager features includes:
  • Names
  • Full contact details and history
  • Job titles
  • Photographs
  • Mail merge facility
  • Quick search
  • Helpdesk integration
  • User-defined fields
  • Document and Email storage
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Standard Applications
Over 60 business applications, ready to use from day one
Orchidnet comes with 60 proven, feature-rich Intranet applications as standard, covering everything from news publishing to on-line discussions, forms, and even Helpdesk queries.

Standard applications are divided into three categories:
  • Framework applications - the building blocks of Orchidnet
  • User applications - these allow you to create communities, content and contacts on your intranet
  • Admin applications - these ensure that your intranet is secure, accessible and integrated with your I.T. systems.
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Optional Applications
Plug in more power whenever you need it with over 30 Optional Applications
Orchidnet customers can benefit from an even wider range of applications that include yet more functionality.

Our 30+ optional applications can be plugged into any Orchidnet installation to help your intranet work the way that you do.

These applications cover a wide range of functionality - from timesheets and holiday planners to e-learning and risk management.
  • 30+ applications
  • Integration with all current frameworks including Knowledge and Searching
  • Add optional applications as and when you want
  • Consistent user interface ensures optional applications are easy to learn and simple to use
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Bespoke Applications
Software that works the way you do
If you need a particular application but can't find it on our standard or optional lists then don't worry; as a software consultancy, we can develop a customised, bespoke application to meet your needs.

Because bespoke applications use existing Orchidnet frameworks, development time can be cut dramatically as there is no need to write code to manage users, security, paging, searching etc.
  • If you can dream it, we can build it
  • Development time is usually weeks not months
  • Using existing frameworks ensures that applications are resilient and robust
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Knowledge and Searching


Making sense of your information
With Orchidnet, all of the information that you put on your intranet is automatically indexed, bringing two unique benefits to two separate applications:
  • Search Engine - Orchidnet's indexed content means that you can find anything you want in a matter of seconds, including Office documents and PDFs, using a simple keyword search.
  • Knowledge Management - Intranet content can also be classified under Knowledge categories, helping users to find information on any given subject just by clicking on the appropriate Knowledge category.
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Administration


Provides you with the power to manage your intranet
Orchid Software's philosophy of Power Through Simplicity underpins every aspect of our software, and our way of thinking lends itself perfectly to the administrative aspects of Orchidnet.

A simple point-and-click, file-and-folder-based menu structure allows users to go anywhere across Orchidnet with just a few mouse clicks, and the user-friendly interface allows users to publish, files and content quickly and easily.
  • Easy-to-use publishing wizards - no need for HTML skills
  • Content owners can take responsibility for their own information
  • Online workflow means no 'paper chase' when issuing and approving documents
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Customisation
If you can dream it, we can build it
At Orchid Software, we believe that you shouldn't have to change the way you work just to suit a piece of software.

Every element of Orchidnet, including the user interface, homepage design, database fields, even the application logic can be customised to suit the way that you and your company work.

And what's more, with Orchid Software these changes can take hours instead of the months you might expect.
  • Departments and projects can have their own look and feel
  • A personalised skin can be developed for your intranet
  • Bespoke portlets can be developed to suit the way you work
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Integration


An Intranet that brings everything together
When you have already invested in the best networks, databases and email solutions, the last thing you want is a system that requires yet more hardware or software just to run properly.

We designed Orchidnet so that it can link seamlessly into your current IT infrastructure. Orchidnet can:
  • Synchronise with Active Directory, LDAP or Novell - no need for extra user management.
  • Detect each user's network login details - no need for separate usernames and passwords
  • Synchronises with Microsoft Exchange 2000+ so you can share appointments, tasks and contacts using the intranet.
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Security
We worry about it so that you don't have to
Orchidnet comes with state-of-the-art security features as standard, ensuring that your information is never compromised.

We know that secure information is essential for assured Intranet usage "” that's why we make security our top priority.

We devote significant resources to continually developing our security infrastructure and protecting your organisation.

This is the reason that banks, defence companies, police forces and government agencies have all chosen Orchidnet as their intranet software.
  • Multiple authentication methods supported
  • Comprehensive access permissions for every application provided as standard
  • Fully supports Active Directory security groups