| Developer(s) | IBM |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2001 |
| Stable release | 7.0 / September 1, 2010 |
| Preview release | 7.0 |
| Platform | Java |
| Type | Enterprise web portal software |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | IBM WebSphere Portal Software |
IBM WebSphere Portal is a set of software tools that enables companies to build and manage web portals.
According to a Gartner Research comparison of software for horizontal portals, WebSphere Portal software is a leader in that market, having delivered "significant product innovation," and being "successful in selling to new customers across industries."[1] WebSphere Portal software has been reviewed numerous times in the IT industry press, and honors include eWeek Magazine's 2004 Excellence Award in the category "Portals and Knowledge Management",[2] Java Pro Magazine's 2003 Reader's Choice Award for "Best Team Development Tool",[3] and the Software & Information Industry Association's 2003 Codie Award for "Best Enterprise Portal Platform".[4]
The WebSphere Portal package is a component of WebSphere software. Like WebSphere, the WebSphere Portal package is developed and marketed by IBM. Available since 2001,[5] it is now sold in five editions.[6]
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The WebSphere Portal package is available in five editions; WebSphere Portal Server, WebSphere Portal Enable, WebSphere Portal Enable for z/OS, WebSphere Portal Extend, and WebSphere Portal Express [6]
The basic package includes a web server, WebSphere Application Server, LDAP directory, IBM DB2 database, development tools, web site templates and other essential site management tools such as a configuration wizard. In addition, some editions of WebSphere Portal include limited entitlements to Lotus Web Content Management, Lotus Quickr document management, Lotus Sametime instant messaging, and Lotus Forms electronic forms. For WebSphere Portal Enable for z/OS, WebSphere Application Server and IBM DB2 database must be purchased separately.
IBM announced that WebSphere Portal package will be included in IBM Customer Experience Suite.
The WebSphere Portal software suite adheres to industry standards; the Java Portlet Definition Standard (both JSR 168/v1 and JSR 286/v2 specifications) defined by the Java Community Process, as well as the Web Services for Remote Portlets (both WSRP 1.0 and 2.0) specifications defined by the Web Services for Remote Portlets OASIS Technical Committee.
The markup delivered to clients (i.e. to web browsers) adheres to the xhtml and css standards as defined by the W3C, the World Wide Web Consortium. WebSphere Portal's Javascript is ECMA-compliant.
IBM first announced WebSphere Portal Server for AIX in 2001.[5] Since then, IBM has released versions that run on Linux, Microsoft Windows, HP-UX, Solaris, i5/OS, and z/OS.
In April 2006 version 6.0 was announced. The new features included Workflow (introduced a new workflow builder), Content Management (unveiled IBM Workplace Web Content Management Version 6.0, now IBM Lotus Web Content Management), Electronic Forms (incorporated IBM Workplace Forms, now IBM Lotus Forms) and Alignment with Bowstreet Portlet Factory (Now WebSphere Portlet Factory)
In March 2009, WebSphere Portal was at version 6.1 was announced, an upgrade that enhanced Web 2.0 capabilities, support for REST-based services, and improved Atom and RSS consumption. In November 2009, IBM then released WebSphere Portal Feature Pack Version 6.1.5, with new features that can be added to the version 6.1 platform, including new page builder and template capabilities, platform startup optimization, and expanded Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Web analytics integration support.
In September 2010, WebSphere Portal version 7.0 was announced.
IBM WebSphere Portal and IBM Lotus Web Content Management Version 7.0 software include features and enhancements that ease the ability to deliver aesthetically pleasing, security-rich, personalized web experiences—with virtually unmatched reliability and scalability. WebSphere Portal Version 7.0 software extends the leading exceptional web experience platform, building on the foundation of version 6.1x and earlier releases that delivered many key capabilities: Web 2.0 innovations and technologies that made it easier and faster for organizations to deliver personalized, rich and highly responsive web portal applications; User and line-of-business (LOB) page customization features; Integrated and seamless mashup creation capability; Support for external web programming and development tools and techniques; Third-party site analytics integration and new platform optimization capabilities. Continued leadership and development of important portal open standards, such as Java Specification Request (JSR) 286 and Web Services for Remote Portlets (WSRP) 2.0 standards.[7]
IBM Lotus Web Content Management is better integrated, and IBM Lotus Web Content Management itself has large user interface and functionality improvements.