An intranet portal is the gateway that unifies access to all enterprise information and applications on an intranet. It is a tool that helps a company manage its data, applications, and information more easily, and through personalized views. Some portal solutions today are able to integrate legacy applications, objects from other portals, and handle thousands of user requests. In a corporate enterprise environment, it is also known as an enterprise portal.
Integration — Ability to integrate with your current tools or the possibility of adding new tools. You have your outlook calendar and email integrated within intranet.
Security — Enable user or group based security to secure documents and sites throughout the intranet portal.
Customization — Software that is flexible to allow for organization. Web Parts can be used to create custom modules which can make interaction easier with the site. Ability for users to customize tools and resources they use most often.
Collaboration — People are now able to collaborate their work with each other. Example would be multiple people working on one document.
Communication Channels — Allows corporations to promote corporate culture and present information in a more interactive way than before.
Automation — Things like workflows and templates can automate specific document creation. Alerts can be created to help learn of changes and new additions to the intranet.
Applications — Links to applications for associates to perform duties.
User Friendly — Application must be easy to use and understand due to a wide range of technical abilities.
Remote Access — Ability for users to access content away from the office.
Document Repository — Ability to store and retrieve document information while maintaining regular backups to prevent data loss.
Blog — Used as a method to provide more timely information to employees, customers, and business partners.
People Search — Search enterprise wide for employee information such as contact information, specialty areas, group membership, personal interest, etc.
Enterprise Search — search enterprise content using enterprise search
Targeted Content — Business portal administrators can target content by business group area, e.g., HR, Marketing, Legal, Corporate Executives, etc.