Introduction

Unlike most content and document management systems Tri-Portal builds on the well-proven services of Windows 2000 server. Rather than a database-centric approach, Tri-Portal exploits the file management, user and workgroup services of Windows 2000 Server and directly manipulates the inherent underlying security model.

Tri-Portal is an online information management system and as such it provides one or more web sites (intranets, extranets and Internet sites) as required which in turn run on Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).

Using Windows 2000 Server

Windows 2000 Server provides most of the key features for document management. However, these features are not easily exploited and in all cases require trained IT support staff to manage accounts, workgroups and access policies. In answer to this, Tri-Portal creates a virtual layer above Windows 2000. In this layer non-technical staff can model the structures and processes of their organisation by directly manipulating Windows 2000 Server user accounts, workgroups and associated permissions. Creating a workgroup, assigning members to the group and issuing permissions to publish to various intranets/extranets is a simple click, drag and drop process. In this way most operational administrative roles can be distributed to managers who in turn are best able to organise their information domains.

System authentication uses Windows Basic Mode over SSL. For closed intranets, Windows integrated authentication can be used.

Database Technologies

In addition, Tri-Portal provides a range of business components such as noticeboards, calendars, discussion boards etc. Access rights to these objects are managed through the Tri-Portal web interface and again exploit the underlying Windows 2000 Server security processes. These components are implemented on Microsoft SQLServer 2000 technologies.

Client-Side

All access to Tri-Portal whether it be for administration, publishing or viewing information is conducted through a web browser. Current browsers supported for administrative and publishing purposes are Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.x. Other browsers and platforms will shortly be supported through Java Applet technology. A complete cross-platform Java object client is planned for release at the end of Q1 2004.

All server-client interaction is conducted over SSL or VPN depending on requirement.

Active Directory Integration

Tri-Portal uses ADSI technology to manage all account and workgroup information. Consequently Tri-Portal can be implemented using either NT flat account management or Microsoft Active Directories. Tri-Portal can also attach to existing Active Directory installations or other Directory Services that are LDAP compliant.

Scalability

Because Tri-Portal exploits proven Microsoft technology, it is fully scalable, from single server installations supporting SME operations, through to multi-server platforms supporting enterprise-level operations.