Intranet portal
Encyclopedia
An intranet portal is the gateway that unifies access to all enterprise information and applications on an intranet
. It is a tool that helps a company manage its data, applications, and information more easily, and through personalized views. Some portal solutions today are able to integrate legacy applications, other portals objects, and handle thousands of user requests. In a corporate enterprise environment, it is also known as an enterprise portal
.
One typical example of an intranet portal is Microsoft Sharepoint
. It provides a lot of features necessary for collaboration, integration and customization.
Security — Enable user or group based security to secure documents and sites throughout the intranet portal.
Customization — Software that is flexible to allow for organization. Web Parts can be used to create custom modules which can make interaction easier with the site. Ability for users to customize tools and resources they use most often.
Collaboration
— People are now able to collaborate their work with each other. Example would be multiple people working on one document.
Communication Channels — Allows corporations to promote corporate culture and present information in a more interactive way than before.
Automation — Things like workflows and templates can automate specific document creation. Alerts can be created to help learn of changes and new additions to the intranet.
Applications — Links to applications for associates to perform duties.
User Friendly — Application must be easy to use and understand due to a wide range of technical abilities.
Remote Access — Ability for users to access content away from the office.
Document Repository — Ability to store and retrieve document information while maintaining regular backups to prevent data loss.
Blog
— Used as a method to provide more timely information to employees, customers, and business partners.
People Search — Search enterprise wide for employee information such as contact information, specialty areas, group membership, personal interest, etc.
Enterprise Search
— search enterprise content using enterprise search
Targeted Content — Business portal administrators can target content by business group area, e.g., HR, Marketing, Legal, Corporate Executives, etc.
Intranet portal can help employees find information more easily and perform their jobs better, though few portal designs are optimal just out-of-the-box. In fact, especially in smaller companies, designers can realize some features found in off-the-shelf portal software through simpler (do-it-yourself) means. Most intranets have become completely unwieldy and present a highly fragmented and confusing user experience, with no consistency and little navigational support. Portals aim to correct this problem by presenting a single gateway to all corporate information and services. One benefit of creating this consistent look and feel is users need less time to learn how to use the environment. They also more easily recognize where they are in the portal and where they can go—no small feat when navigating a large information space. By integrating services and presenting personalized snippets on the initial screen, intranet portals also reduce the need for users to browse far and wide to obtain needed information, thus making it easier for them to perform their jobs.
Intranet portal is a Web-based tool that allows users to create a customized site that dynamically pulls in Internet activities and desired content into a single page. By providing a contextual framework for information, portals can bring S&T (Science and Technology) and organizational "knowledge" to the desktop.
Security issues can become an ongoing problem. Unauthorized access is a concern and can have users gain access to sensitive information. Denial of access can cause issues for users needing access for their work.
Having everything in one place is only good if its organized. Information overload can make finding information very difficult - lowering productivity.
Associate Services — Area for employees to link to or download necessary applications to perform work functions. Information also provided to find internal and external resources.
Business Operations
— To give users access to important business policies and manuals.
Company Calendar — To give user access to important company event dates and times.
Access Point for Employees — Location for employees default main company webpage to obtain all information regarding the company.
Wiki
— can be used in the business environment for knowledge management
Workflow Management
— Establish work flows for common business tasks such as submitting expense reports, submitting corporate HR paperwork and document approval processes.
Bulletin Board
— Manage corporate announcements.
Task Management
— Create and update shared task lists throughout the corporation.
Intranet
An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network...
. It is a tool that helps a company manage its data, applications, and information more easily, and through personalized views. Some portal solutions today are able to integrate legacy applications, other portals objects, and handle thousands of user requests. In a corporate enterprise environment, it is also known as an enterprise portal
Enterprise portal
An enterprise portal, also known as an enterprise information portal or corporate portal, is a framework for integrating information, people and processes across organizational boundaries. It provides a secure unified access point, often in the form of a web-based user interface, and is designed...
.
History
Corporate intranets began gaining popularity during the 1990s. Intranets quickly grew more complex as the result the concept of intranet portal was born. Today, intranet portals provide value-added capabilities such as managing workflows, increasing collaboration between work groups, and allowing content creators to self-publish their information.One typical example of an intranet portal is Microsoft Sharepoint
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint is a web application platform developed by Microsoft. First launched in 2001, SharePoint is typically associated with web content management and document management systems, but it is actually a much broader platform of web technologies, capable of being configured into a wide...
. It provides a lot of features necessary for collaboration, integration and customization.
Main features
Integration — Ability to integrate with your current tools or the possibility of adding new tools. You have your outlook calendar and email integrated within intranet.Security — Enable user or group based security to secure documents and sites throughout the intranet portal.
Customization — Software that is flexible to allow for organization. Web Parts can be used to create custom modules which can make interaction easier with the site. Ability for users to customize tools and resources they use most often.
Collaboration
Collaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
— People are now able to collaborate their work with each other. Example would be multiple people working on one document.
Communication Channels — Allows corporations to promote corporate culture and present information in a more interactive way than before.
Automation — Things like workflows and templates can automate specific document creation. Alerts can be created to help learn of changes and new additions to the intranet.
Applications — Links to applications for associates to perform duties.
User Friendly — Application must be easy to use and understand due to a wide range of technical abilities.
Remote Access — Ability for users to access content away from the office.
Document Repository — Ability to store and retrieve document information while maintaining regular backups to prevent data loss.
Blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
— Used as a method to provide more timely information to employees, customers, and business partners.
People Search — Search enterprise wide for employee information such as contact information, specialty areas, group membership, personal interest, etc.
Enterprise Search
Enterprise search
Enterprise search is the practice of making content from multiple enterprise-type sources, such as databases and intranets, searchable to a defined audience.-Enterprise search summary:...
— search enterprise content using enterprise search
Targeted Content — Business portal administrators can target content by business group area, e.g., HR, Marketing, Legal, Corporate Executives, etc.
Advantages
Intranet portal helps employees make better and more informed decisions, which result from increased knowledge. It also helps reduce costs, saves time, increases collaboration, increases productivity and effectiveness.Intranet portal can help employees find information more easily and perform their jobs better, though few portal designs are optimal just out-of-the-box. In fact, especially in smaller companies, designers can realize some features found in off-the-shelf portal software through simpler (do-it-yourself) means. Most intranets have become completely unwieldy and present a highly fragmented and confusing user experience, with no consistency and little navigational support. Portals aim to correct this problem by presenting a single gateway to all corporate information and services. One benefit of creating this consistent look and feel is users need less time to learn how to use the environment. They also more easily recognize where they are in the portal and where they can go—no small feat when navigating a large information space. By integrating services and presenting personalized snippets on the initial screen, intranet portals also reduce the need for users to browse far and wide to obtain needed information, thus making it easier for them to perform their jobs.
Intranet portal is a Web-based tool that allows users to create a customized site that dynamically pulls in Internet activities and desired content into a single page. By providing a contextual framework for information, portals can bring S&T (Science and Technology) and organizational "knowledge" to the desktop.
Disadvantages
Intranet Portals can be a large business cost. The maintenance and management can be time consuming and expensive. Not only is it a cost to keep the portal running but a cost when the system goes offline. Most intranets are established to put all an organization's resources into one place and having that offline can force operations to be put on hold.Security issues can become an ongoing problem. Unauthorized access is a concern and can have users gain access to sensitive information. Denial of access can cause issues for users needing access for their work.
Having everything in one place is only good if its organized. Information overload can make finding information very difficult - lowering productivity.
Activities
Tools & Resources — Area for employees to link to or download necessary applications to perform work functions. Information also provided to find internal and external resources.Associate Services — Area for employees to link to or download necessary applications to perform work functions. Information also provided to find internal and external resources.
Business Operations
Business operations
Business operations are those ongoing recurring activities involved in the running of a business for the purpose of producing value for the stakeholders...
— To give users access to important business policies and manuals.
Company Calendar — To give user access to important company event dates and times.
Access Point for Employees — Location for employees default main company webpage to obtain all information regarding the company.
Wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
— can be used in the business environment for knowledge management
Workflow Management
Workflow
A workflow consists of a sequence of connected steps. It is a depiction of a sequence of operations, declared as work of a person, a group of persons, an organization of staff, or one or more simple or complex mechanisms. Workflow may be seen as any abstraction of real work...
— Establish work flows for common business tasks such as submitting expense reports, submitting corporate HR paperwork and document approval processes.
Bulletin Board
Bulletin board
A bulletin board is a surface intended for the posting of public messages, for example, to advertise things to buy or sell, announce events, or provide information...
— Manage corporate announcements.
Task Management
Task management
Task management is the process of managing a task through its life cycle, including planning, testing, tracking and reporting. Task management can help either individuals achieve goals, or groups of individuals collaborate and share knowledge for the accomplishment of collective goals...
— Create and update shared task lists throughout the corporation.
Notable software tools
| Product Name | Vendor | Cost | Software license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Desktop Central Desktop Central Desktop, Inc. is a privately held collaboration software company that is headquartered in Pasadena, California. The company's primary focus is providing a Software-as-a-Service collaboration tool to small and medium-sized businesses. The company and its products are most often compared to... |
Central Desktop Inc. | Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Collanos Collanos Collanos Workplace is a proprietary teamwork software that ceased development in 2010.Installed on each team member’s computer, it builds a team environment and transparent knowledge store that allows to define and organize the content of project teams... |
Collanos Software | Free Download | Copyright (Freeware Freeware Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the... ) |
| Confluence Confluence (software) Confluence is an enterprise wiki software. Written in Java and mainly used in corporate environments, Confluence is developed and marketed by Atlassian. Confluence is sold as either on-premises software or as a hosted solution... |
Atlassian Pty Ltd. | Support From $49.00/month to $3,990.00/month | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Huddle Huddle (software) Huddle is a web-based team collaboration and project management application developed in the UK.Huddle is privately held and funded by Eden Ventures and Matrix Partners.-Features:... |
Ninian Solutions Ltd | Individual costs £5 a month. Prices depend on needs of team or group | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Hyperoffice Hyperoffice HyperOffice is a privately held American corporation based in Rockville, Maryland, that offers web collaboration, online meeting, web conferencing, online database and email marketing applications to the small and mid sized business segment... |
HyperOffice | Not free.Various Price Models. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| IGLOO Software IGLOO Software IGLOO Software is a Canadian-based company that develops online communities and social software software for business. Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, IGLOO utilizes Web 2.0 and social technologies to help organizations improve business processes, increase employee productivity and enhance... |
IGLOO Inc. | Not free.Various Price Models. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Intranet DASHBOARD Intranet DASHBOARD Intranet DASHBOARD created by The ADWEB Agency, iD offers web portal, intranet, and extranet functionality. iD is an integrated platform of applications that create and manage information and business processes. iD includes content publishing and document management, bundled with an array of... |
The ADWEB Agency | Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Lotus Domino IBM Lotus Domino Lotus Domino is an IBM server product that provides enterprise-grade e-mail, collaboration capabilities, and a custom application platform. Domino began life as Lotus Notes Server, the server component of Lotus Development Corporation's client-server messaging technology. It can be used as an... |
IBM IBM International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas... |
Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Liferay | Liferay | FREE under MIT. Must pay for support. | MIT |
| Microsoft SharePoint Foundation | Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions... |
FREE | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... , Open-API |
| Microsoft SharePoint Server | Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions... |
Not free. From $90/user or $3/mo | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... , Open-API |
| MindQuarry Mindquarry Mindquarry is an open source collaborative software geared towards small and medium-sized workgroups. Mindquarry attempts to strike a balance between features and ease-of-use. The application offers four tightly integrated modules: Teams, Files, Wiki, and Tasks.Mindquarry consists of two... |
Mindquarry GmbH | Free.(open source) | Mozilla Public License Mozilla Public License The Mozilla Public License is a free and open source software license. Version 1.0 was developed by Mitchell Baker when she worked as a lawyer at Netscape Communications Corporation and version 1.1 at the Mozilla Foundation... |
| MindTouch MindTouch MindTouch, Inc., an open-source software-development company based in San Diego, California, USA, started in January, 2005 with offices in Saint Paul, Minnesota and Bellevue, Washington. It merged all its offices in San Diego in February 2007.-History:... |
MindTouch | Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Plone | Plone Foundation | Free Download. Free/Community and paid support. | GPL |
| PortalCMS | PortalCMS | Free for modules like e-learning. SaaS or Standalone. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| OpenAtrium | DevelopmentSeed | Free Download. Free/Community and paid support. | GPL |
| Regroup.com Regroup Regroup is a communications platform for organizations that offers forums, group management, mailing list management, intranet, emergency messaging, group SMS, text messages, and social media.... |
Regroup Regroup Regroup is a communications platform for organizations that offers forums, group management, mailing list management, intranet, emergency messaging, group SMS, text messages, and social media.... |
Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| SORCE Intranet Sorce intranet SORCE is a browser based tool which contains a suite of applications that can be used as an Intranet, Extranet or Enterprise portal. SORCE is installed on a Microsoft Windows Server and a Microsoft Server database platform. It is written using the asp.NET framework.-Features:SORCE’s architecture... |
SORCE | Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| TeamWox | MetaQuotes Software Corp. MetaQuotes Software MetaQuotes Software Corp is a software company that produces online trading platform MetaTrader 4 more commonly known as MT4. It specializing in the development of software for financial markets and is registered in Cyprus but founded and primarily based in Russia. Its main product MT4 is used by... |
Free for 10 users. SaaS or Standalone. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| WebSphere IBM WebSphere IBM WebSphere refers to a brand of computer software products in the genre of enterprise software known as "application and integration middleware". These software products are used by end-users to create applications and integrate applications with other applications... |
IBM IBM International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas... |
Not free. | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |
| Zoho Zoho Office Suite The Zoho Office Suite is a Web-based online office suite containing word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, note-taking, wikis, customer relationship management , project management, invoicing and other applications developed by ZOHO Corporation , a US-based company. It was... |
ZOHO Corporation | Free for individual. Prices depend on needs of team or group | Proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... |