Why portals?
Why portals and why do we need them? |
i-Seven, Copenhagen, 20.02.2006 |
Problem scenario
In every business there are existing or planned systems that:
Form part of various processes and value chains
Are based upon differing technologies
Have their own lifetime and budget
Have their own strengths and weaknesses
Are often developed in a way that does not allow communication with other systems
The result in many businesses is an inconsistent IT infrastructure that is interconnected by need - so-called point-to-point integration - as shown below:
For a user this means having a number of different systems in which they have to work, for which they require different user IDs and passwords, and which they have to become familiar with.
This means the user experiences the IT system as:
Inconsistent
Difficult to use
Out of step with the processes and business flows that they need to support
Incapable of logically assimilating data from various systems - for example customer or product information in multiple systems.
Implementing portals helps ensure that users experience the systems as a single effective cohesive system. It also ensures that the systems provide a much greater degree of support to business processes and workflows.
Why portals?
As explained in the previous section, the implementation of portals can - in comparison to the point-to-point integration of differing systems - provide a much greater degree of support to business processes and workflows.
But what is a portal?
The term "portal" is one of the IT sector's most widely-used buzzwords. The concept covers an IT system that functions as an entrance to a wealth of information. Portals can be placed in one of four categories:
Intranet/Extranet portals
Access to all internal information for a company's users or business partners.
Workplace portals
Primarily the working place for the majority of employees. Provides employees with the possibility to find and work with all accessible information in the company. This is typically targeted for internal use in a company.
E-Business portals
Internet portals such as jubii.dk, tv2.dk, yahoo.com etc. These are portals that include all types of information. Typically targeted towards private users.
Process portals
These are portals that aim at supporting individual work processes. An example could be an HR portal, where the HR department and the user can work with data regarding employees and the organization. Typically targeted toward internal use in a company.
Common to all types of portals is that they focus on:
Presenting data from different systems
Ease data access for users
Synchronize access control
Personalize access to data
In contrast to point-to-point integration, you receive a structured and easily accessible IT platform:
Advantages with portals
There are many advantages when using portals, and on the business-side the following are worthy of mention:
High ROI (Return On Investment)
Improved integration between various IT systems
Improved business efficiency
Time saving in the individual processes
These benefits are detailed below:
Return on Investment
By considering the company's existing IT systems, the investment in the existing system can be ensured. This is by offering services from systems that deliver data and functionality to the portal rather than developing new systems that deliver the expected services - data and functionality.
Better integration
Rather than integrating existing systems in a ”point-to-point” method, an integration layer is introduced as part of the portal. This integration layer makes it possible to reuse integration points and various systems in various contexts.
Improving efficiency in business workflows
Rather than requiring access to multiple systems each with their own id/password, user interface etc., the portal user works in a browser-based user interface that is easily accessible and which takes care of the logins to the underlying systems.
Time savings
Due to improved integration between IT systems and improved efficiency of business processes, the company's employees realize significant time savings when compared with their earlier work procedures. An added benefit is more time that can be used on other tasks.
If you are interested in reading more about portals and how
your organization can benefit by implementing these, then contact us.
