A web site that is an starting point, or gateway, to many web sites, pages, and online services. Portals usually provide a single sign-on to a variety of content, directories, and information services related to a specific topic or organization along with a "personal start page". A portal is usually a community portal; vertical portal or vortal for a specific industry, occupation or interest; a private Intranet portal for employees, clients, partners and vendors; or an Extranet portal that has both public and private information.

Portal Software (pôr´tl sôft´wâr´)

The web site software and database that collects, organizes, and publishes information and online services to an audience of users. Among other things portal software usually provides content management tools, enables "community building", social networking collaboration, and communication between users; conducts e-commerce activities, and manages marketing or advertising services.