IBM announced a major upgrade to IBM WebSphere Portal designed to help customers make better decisions and execute transactions with greater speed and accuracy. The new version simplifies working with composite applications, making it faster and easier for businesses to realize the benefits of integrated applications and reusable services.

"Working with composite applications no longer has to be time consuming and difficult," said Ken Bisconti, vice president, IBM Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Products. "In WebSphere Portal Version 6.0 we are introducing a new application framework which empowers customers to easily assemble applications and process components in the way that best meets their needs."

Composite applications enable the integration of information from multiple applications, providing end users with the content they need based on their role and task. Through the workflows, templates, and content management capabilities in WebSphere Portal Version 6.0, IBM is helping customers realize enhanced productivity and efficiency through composite applications.

The latest version of WebSphere Portal includes a workflow builder, enabling business process owners to create and modify departmental workflows to meet their needs. Users see only the tasks assigned to them along with relevant information from across the company, enabling faster decisions and keeping tasks from getting lost in crowded in-boxes.

As most workflows involve the creation or completion of a form, WebSphere Portal Version 6.0 integrates with the advanced electronic forms capabilities of IBM Workplace Forms. Electronic forms are presented in a standard portal interface, enabling users to easily access information from other applications and collaborate to create, edit, or view electronic forms. Once completed, the e-form can be automatically routed to the next person in the process or stored in a repository.

The latest version of WebSphere Portal also includes IBM Workplace Web Content Management Version 6.0, making it easier to create and deploy Web and portal content. For authors, the creation process is simplified with enhanced rich text editors, and inline authoring capability. For administrators, enhancements include a joint administrator's console for WebSphere Portal and Workplace Web Content Management, template customization, and support for Cascading Style Sheets.