IBM adds entry portal server, embeds Bowstreet tools

Plugging a gap in its portal product family, IBM Corp is adding a new entry-level version that's shorn of all the extras that it's been offering all these years. And it's now embedding the Portlet Factory technology that came with the Bowstreet Inc acquisition late last year to all of its portal products.

The new entry-level product, IBM WebSphere Portal Server, will focus strictly on personalized delivery of applications or composite applications. By contrast, IBM’s existing portal flagship, WebSphere Portal Enable, bundles in document management, web content management, and workflow capabilities. And, the more deluxe IBM WebSphere Portal Extend in turn adds Lotus SameTime IM and Lotus QuickPlace team collaboration capabilities.

We’ve heard from customers that we deliver all these extra features when all they want is a basic portal, said John Caffrey, program director of WebSphere Portal product management.

And what they will get is a product that costing just over half the price of the previous cheapest offering. Portal Server is to list at $45,00 per processor, or $2500 for every 20 users. By contrast, Portal Enable and Extend list at $95,000 and $130,000 respectively.

Additionally, IBM is now bundling a limited number of design time licenses for WebSphere Portlet Factory, the portal development tools that originated with Bowstreet. It’s doing so on the basis of roughly one design license for every six processors, which is adjusted to a sliding scale for multicore units.

IBM WebSphere Portal Server is available now.

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