IBM and Google have partnered to bring Google Gadgets to WebSphere Portal allowing users to create, customize and use Internet applications directly within the portal. In April, IBM will release a version of WebSphere Portal that will allow users to search an Internet directory of Google Gadgets that will operate on IBM’s software.
Users will be able to select from around 4,000 Google Gadgets such as language translators, package delivery tracking, Wikipedia information and YouTube postings. These features can be accessed through a company’s portal.
The advantages of Google Gadgets being offered in WebSphere Portal are more access to Web-based communities and social networks, a larger number of Web applications that will help build and add new offerings and links that will raise the content value stored in Google Gadgets.
“We’re excited to help IBM’s WebSphere Portal enterprise business users provide a truly customized experience for both their internal and external audiences,” said Marissa Mayer, Google vice president, Search Products & User Experience. “Mashup-style applications offer great opportunities for small businesses to target. Google Gadgets will allow IBM’s users to harness a wide range of rich and interactive content.”
Administrators will be able to select which gadgets they think will be useful for employees.
WebSphere Portal and WebSphere Portal Express customers will be able to use Google Gadgets for free.
“The delivery of Google Gadgets into a business environment is going to evolve how people work. IBM and Google together can deliver a content-rich user experience to small business and large enterprises,” said Larry Bowden, IBM Lotus Vice President of Portals and Web Interaction Services. “Google’s portfolio of gadgets accessed and managed seamlessly within WebSphere Portal provides an extensive set of services for reuse in user-created situational applications.”
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