WebSphere Portal for Multiplatforms V5.0 provides a unified strategy for IBM portal that combines software components needed to safely create custom content and interactive experience to provide a portal for employees, suppliers and customers. Provides services such as unified login, a highly secure environment, Web content publishing, search, personalization, collaboration, advanced application integration and business processes.

WebSphere Portal consists of two commercial offerings to meet the needs of any company, large or small:

WebSphere Portal Enable is the basic and essential portal provides features that let you quickly build scalable portals. It offers standard services such as:

• Connectivity and integration to allow access to external sources of news, data and business and Web applications.
• Presentation and management for desktop customization to adapt to the needs and working habits of each user.
• Activation technology using the mouse to facilitate communication and work among portlets.

The new features included in version 5.0 include:

• Publication personalized content and document management that enhance today's Web content and value of files shared by users of the portal.
• WebSphere Portal Productivity Components that allow users to view, create, convert and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations from the main interface of the portal.
• Portal Application Integrator to create portlets that interact with EIS databases, relational, and Domino.
• Redesign of the installation procedure and improved administration portlets.

WebSphere Portal Extend includes all the powerful features of WebSphere Portal Enable also provides functions for collaboration, enterprise search and analysis using the portal. New features in version 5.0 include:

• An online directory of the user's sensing.
• Information sharing between portlets with instant messaging.
• Workplaces customizable online.
• Improved search engine.