What is a Portal?

There are various interpretations of this term in Web development and communications circles.

The new portal developed through Project Tempus will be a Web interface that is customized to the user based on their identity and their role in the organization. By logging in, you will tell it that you are "Jane Doe" and it will know if you are a full-time MWC faculty member, JMC student, wage employee, etc. It will then use the information in the Banner system (aka, " Project B.O.B. ") to display only the content that is pertinent to you. You can then tailor the portal to include other information that you'd like displayed each time you login.

Because it will be Web-based, it can be accessed from anytime, anywhere using your personal login and password.

Here's an example of how a portal can really make things better here:

Tired of getting global “all employee” or “all students” e-mails about issues that have nothing to do with you? You're not alone. The portal will help to minimize, if not eliminate, this practice. It will enable individuals to define groups that are specific target audiences for information that only they need. How far down the groups can be defined is part of the Project Tempus process.

That's where your participation comes in. It's your portal.

It's about time!