The decision to implement an intranet is relatively easy for large companies because they typically have the necessary components already in place. For example, they use TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) on the wide area network in support of e-mail, file transfers, remote database access, and other routine communications needs. They usually have the technical expertise to install and configure the necessary components, including routers, switches, and gateways, and manage these and other network elements through the simple network management protocol (SNMP). They also have people who implement and maintain client/server technology over local area networks (LANs) that also provide connectivity to legacy host systems. For these companies, it is relatively simple to add a graphical front end to this environment in the form of easyto-use Web browsers and offer extra functionality from Web servers distributed on the TCP/IP network.