The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on rock.
(Matthew 7:26 - The Bible – New International Version)
 

The Internet Revolution

The real-time enterprise uses world-class, internet technologies to manage the relationships it has with its employees, suppliers, partners and customers.

Through platform-independent thin-client browsers, networked collaboration technologies, standard-based tools and common foundations, your intranet can become the 'glue' that thinks your legacy and enterprise investments together.
 

The Enterprise Intranet Architecture

The design inset is my own version of the architectures most commonly pedaled by the big system integrators (four of which I have worked with at one time or another).

It paints the simple, but nonetheless compelling, picture of a platform which presents the user with a personalised, profile-based, window onto the core enterprise systems of their business.

Access Technologies allow employees, suppliers, partners and customers to access the portal

Networked Applications (or Portlets) present a discrete set of functions to the authorized users, based on their authenticated profile (which determines their needs)

Enabling Technologies are tools that facilitate the building of other processes, applications and content

Prerequisite items are packaged data and logic, drawn from Enterprise systems (e.g. order info)

Database repositories hold the enterprise's records

Foundation technologies underpin the architecture

The Main Portal Vendors

If you have access to Gartner screens, the Magic Quadrant series provides a good, up to date, guide to the vendors.

I have provided links (panel right) to the key contenders in what is an increasingly crowded marketplace.

In general, there is no right or wrong choice, but the nature of your business may well suggest a particular vendor.

Portal Product Selection

In the panel, I have provided a set of product selection criteria for download.

In general, I would consider (1) if you have a single ERP system and (2) if you have a large number of stock lines which you need both employees and customers to be able to manage.

These overriding criteria will be the main driver for your decision making.