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what is portal

A portal is a Web site that "is or proposes to be a major starting site for users when they get connected to the Web ". It is a gateway to information and services.

Typically a portal offers a wide array of services such as email, search facility, news, weather information, e-mail, stock quotes, phone and map information, and community forums. amazon.com, yahoo.com, msn.com are examples of portal offering such services.

A portal allows a user to access different websites and applications with a single sign on. As against multiple login details and passwords required for maintaining diverse websites and applications as is the case at present in the Bank.

A portal also provides users option to personalise content. Personalisation allows users to change the look, layout, select applications or functionalities, etc.

It also acts as a collaborative work platform using chat, community forums, tasks, etc.