The dictionary defines a portal as a grand or imposing door or entrance; hence, that picture on the cover. In this book, you will learn why the word portal has become a major buzzword in the world of information technology (IT). Most of the major software vendors have a portal server product or aspire to have one. Not to be outdone, enterprises big and small are clamoring to put up portal presences on the Web.
A recent report from Forrester Research states, "IT executives expect eBusiness spending to drop 14% in 2002, but more than one-third of Global 3500 firms plan to purchase portal servers this year. Why do enterprise portal projects get funding while IT budgets shrink?"
