BEA Updates WebLogic Portal for Enterprises

BEA Systems Inc. on Monday unveiled an updated version of its WebLogic Portal product that officials said makes it easier for enterprises—particularly larger ones—to manage multiple portals on a single platform.

WebLogic Portal Version 4.0 is designed to improve the experience of portal users while increasing employee productivity and easing the integration of a businesss portals into its overall e-business strategy.

"This is a platform for all kinds of portals and for multiple portals, all of which can be run on a single platform," said Pat OHaren, senior director of marketing for the San Jose, Calif., company.

Included in the new version is intelligent administration, which makes it easier for companies to maintain and manage their multiple portals, and Java-based integration capabilities, enabling businesses to use multiple platforms. It also supports Web services and comes with a unified user profile.

According to OHaren, a key part of the updated version are portlets—or mini-applications for specific functions—that are prebuilt by more than 65 vendors. The portlets will enable companies to more quickly access and integrate with the vendors technologies.

WebLogic Portal 4.0 will be available Oct. 29, with pricing starting at $57,000 per CPU.

The company also announced its WebLogic Integration Version 2.1, a unified, standards-based product that enables businesses to develop and deploy Web and wireless applications and integrate them with existing systems.

The product will be available for download Friday at www.bea.com.

Both the Portal 4.0 and Integration 2.1 are based on BEAs WebLogic Server 6.1.