Looking to add popular usability features to its Websphere Portal Server,
IBM has released an upgrade that includes presence
management for users.
The addition of “presence” to the new WebSphere Portal Version 4.2 lets
users portlet interface or working with identical portlets know when
colleagues are available for real-time collaboration.
Big Blue has also jazzed up the upgrade to simplify the way users can
consolidate information from multiple portlets. The WebSphere Portal Version
4.2, set to ship on December 30, also touts improvements to content
publishing tools and interoperability.
The Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM, which is positioning the software for the small and
medium-sized markets, has also fitted “Click-to-Action” features within
Version 4.2 to allow portlets from competing vendors to communicate with
each another.
“Click-to-Action” had been available as a separate download but is now be
built into WebSphere Portal.
The upgrade, which will be integrated and sold with IBM Content Manager,
promises to control costs for enterprise users by improving usability
directly into the product and customers get more out of technology and
processes they already have.
Big Blue said the new version would also support a broader range of
databases and directories.
IBM also announced the acquisition of exclusive rights to Macromedia
LikeMinds technology to allow administrators and portal owners to identify
the specific preferences of portal users.
IBM’s aggressive rollout of the portal software comes as analysts are
predicting steady growth in the market. IDC is projecting the portal market
will reach more than $3.1 billion by 2006 up from $550 million in 2001.