IBM ranked number one for enterprise portal software

IDC expects the market to reach $2.0 billion by 2012, following on 18.3% net growth last year, with license and maintenance revenues at $1.2 billion. Why? IBM makes the point that hundreds of its business partners, resellers and others are now integrating IBM’s Web 2.0-enhanced WebSphere Portal software with their own systems and services for clients across industries. That’s likely to grow, with the company now shipping version 6.1 WebSphere Portal, which combines corporate and web information, and has been designed with Web 2.0 productivity and search features, as well as live text. Craig Smith, managing director of UK-based OpenLogic, says the new version, with its Web 2.0 interface, is a leap forward. He likes features such as site management and integration with software such as IBM Lotus Quickr, Domino, WebSphere Process Server and Microsoft Exchange – which, he says, are encouraging customers to migrate to the new portal software.