Product Overview
Why deploy a Portal solution?
IBM WebSphere Portal creates a workspace that connects Applications, Content, Processes and People - a portal solution integrates different IT Systems into a single workspace by allowing different applications to work together. By sharing common content, processes are streamlined, by sharing common processes, systems are consolidated into single easy to use steps, and by sharing identity information using techniques such as single-sign-on (SSO) systems are made easier to work with and more secure.
Low cost, role based systems integration - Many companies have bought and developed point solutions that are critical to day to day operations. As you strive to become more efficient and responsive, these IT systems need to integrate seamlessly in an easy to use way, presenting the functionality of a single system. IBM WebSphere Portal integrates security, navigation, content and processes into a single solution.
Faster deployment - With Portal version 6 significantly enhanced development and deployment functionality reduces the complexity and time taken to develop sophisticated solutions in a B2E, B2C and B2B environments. Tools such as Portlet Factory help with the integration of existing systems, and IBM's Accelerators provide templated horizontal portals for areas of your business such as Employee Self-Service.
Which version is right for you?
4 versions of IBM WebSphere Portal are available - Express, Server, Enable and Extend - The key features of the 4 versions of IBM WebSphere Portal are laid out below
IBM WebSphere Portal Express is aimed at companies of less than 1000 employees or departments within larger organisations. WebSphere Portal Express has collaboration, document management, web content management, presence awareness and instant messaging in one easy to use application. Pricing options are flexible from around £80 per user or £2800 per server depending on configuration. (February 2008 and dependent on IBM Passport agreement terms). Newly available is a standby server for enhanced robustness for around £2700. IBM link
IBM WebSphere Portal Server is IBM's core Portal product that aggregates content and applications into role based portals. The portal applications have consistent navigation, drag and drop functionality and advanced personalisation capabilities. Dynamic page creation is supported up to 40,000 pages with improved searchability from external search engines. Prices are from £91 per user or £3630 per server (February 2008 and dependent on IBM Passport agreement terms).IBM link
IBM WebSphere Portal Enable All the features of Portal Server are included in Portal Enable. Extra functionality enhances Web Content creation capability with centrally controlled authoring, Content Management integrates with Microsoft Office and new Portal Workflow adds a greater depth to your composite applications in a collaborative environment. Prices are from £6920 per server (February 2008 and dependent on IBM Passport agreement terms).IBM link
IBM WebSphere Portal Extend All the features of Portal Server and Portal Enable are included in Portal Extend. Extra functionality is mainly the use of IBM Lotus Forms the XML eForm capability that allows offline electronic forms to be used for validated data capture, and enhanced collaboration including integrated instant messaging and teamspaces. Prices are from £9450 per server (February 2008 and dependent on IBM Passport agreement terms).IBM link
