|
IBM WebSphere Portal software is designed to enable companies to build internal and external Web sites that enable employees, business partners and customers to interact with information, people, processes, and applications from just one browser, and with one password - reducing information overload and promoting productivity.
With only a few clicks of the mouse, customers and integrators can customise a page layout, add a new portlet, add a new user, or completely change the portal's interface. 'Portlets' are user display windows for applications accessed via the portal. An example is portlets which have been developed for connecting to SAP human resources applications.
Other ERP vendors are also supporting IBM's portal software. PeopleSoft recently announced that it is pre-integrating and selling its PeopleSoft applications with IBM infrastructure software, including WebSphere Portal.
WebSphere Portal - Express for Windows V4.1 combines features of the WebSphere Portal family with simplified installation and the option for per user or per processor price. This combination enables small businesses as well as departments within larger companies to more easily deploy sophisticated employee, business partner and customer portals.
Also unlike some competing products, WebSphere Portal - Express is ready for Web services. Its open architecture also provides customers with a host of choices.
Among the new features are event and campaign management; personalisation; Linux support; enhanced security and single sign-on; a new search engine; and content management -- tools that allow teams to create documents and corporate communications.
There are also new personal customisation tools, and embedded collaborative services, which allow different portlets awareness of user groups online and supports them with instant messaging and team chat rooms.
Perhaps the most interesting innovation, however, is the portal's 'awareness' feature. Instead of having a buddy list in a separate box, it's inside the portal. Anywhere a name shows up, you can enable it for awareness. For example, a user browsing through a portlet product can see which salespeople and managers are online, then choose to message, call, or otherwise collaborate with them. IBM is able to do this through Big Blue's ownership of Lotus.
Making the awareness feature available inside WebSphere Portal is in accord with the corporate strategy of embedding messageware in a broader framework. For IBM, the end game is now ownership or co-ownership of the enterprise desktop.
|
November 2002
By Marty Verry
|
What is a portal?
A portal is a single integrated point of comprehensive, ubiquitous and useful access to information, applications, processes and people. |
|
Analysts are also predicting steady growth for portals. IDC announced that the portal market will reach more than $3.1 billion by 2006, from $550 million in 2001. And Forrester Research says that nearly 60 percent of companies will have a portal initiative underway this year. |
|
Further Information:
View this web-cast where you can select a question to run the video of it being answered by Larry Bowden, VP of IBM Portal Solutions. Larry is responsible for leading IBM's Portal strategy, marketing, development, partnerships, and services.
Click here to find out more about WebSphere Portal Express |
|
To speak with an IBM representative call 0800 801800, or email IBM to have a representative call you. Please include your details. | |
