WebSphere Portal
 | |
| Developer(s) | IBM |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2001 |
| Stable release | 8.0 / May 25, 2012 |
| Preview release | 8.0 |
| 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. It provides a single access point to web content and applications, while delivering differentiated, personalized experiences for each user.
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]
Components
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.
Industry standards
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 World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WebSphere Portal's JavaScript is ECMA-compliant.
History
| WebSphere Portal version | 8.5 | 8.0.0.1 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.1.5 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release date | June 2014 | Feb 2013 | May 2012 | September 2010 | November 2009 | March 2009 | April 2006 | July 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
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.
WebSphere Portal version 8.0 was released in May 2012.
Current version
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.
IBM WebSphere Portal and IBM Lotus Web Content Manager Version 8.0 enabled the 'Managed Pages' feature, whereby pages within the portal can be managed within IBM Lotus Web Content Management, allowing them to be syndicated between servers, as well as allowing workflow and versioning of the pages. IBM WebSphere Portal and IBM Lotus Web Content Manager Version 8.0.0.1 enables 'inline edit', which allows portal content to be directly edited in the portal page, rather than using the Web Content Manager Authoring Interface.
References
- ↑ Gootzit, David; Phifer, Gene; Valdes, Ray (September 12, 2008), Magic Quadrant for Horizontal Portal Products, Gartner RAS Core Research Notes 2008, Vol. 3, Stamford, CT: Gartner Research.
- ↑ Rapoza, Jim; Caton, Michael; Coffee, Peter (April 5, 2004), "eWeek Labs 4th Annual Excellence Awards", eWeek 21 (14): 41–43.
- ↑ Keppler, Kay (August 2003), "Readers' Choice Awards 2003", Java Pro Magazine 7 (8): 21–24.
- ↑ Picarille, Lisa (July 2003), "18th Annual Codie Awards", Information Today 20 (7): 30–31.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 IBM Product Management (April 2, 2008), "History of WebSphere", WebSphere-World, Armonk: ibm.com.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Frank, Steven P., ed. (August 26, 2008), "Product documentation", WebSphere Portal software, Armonk: IBM.
- ↑ IBM WebSphere Portal and Lotus Web Content Management Version 7.0 (October 2010), Introduction, Somers: ibm.com.