CMS vs Portal for Intranet

[AMC]

Hello,

I attempt to use Oracle Instant Portal to build an Intranet for the company I am working at. However, someone has brought up using a CMS (out of the box solution) to build it instead. Now we are trying to make a decision whether to used Oracle Instant Portal or purchase a CMS to build the Intranet.

Note - We currently have a web base Intranet already. The Intranet is connected to an in-house build CMS, with some Java codes as well. The Intranet has not been very successful because of multiple reasons. For example, there is no one assign to post content, the process to publish content has to go through the IT team, there is really no senior support for the current Intranet. These are just few reasons why the current Intranet failed.

I am determine to make a difference and would like to get some experiences feedback from all of you.

I have a business plan in place with the following information:

Business Purpose, Goal, and Audience
Roles & Responsibilities
Resource Management
Site Structure
Design
Security
Technical Requirements
ROI
Communications / Trainings
Risk Assessments

Question # 1 - Do you think the business plan has covers everything?

I have been reading so many articles about CMS vs. Portal and Differences between CMS and Portal?

Question # 2 - What is the suitable technology for redesigning an Intranet? Or should I ask, what should I consider to make the best decision?

Question # 3 - Where do I find "Intranet Consultant"?

Thanks in advance!

[john toomey]

AMC,

Don't underestimate the design of the GUI - Consistency is best. You'll find you have to relaunch to change it, which undervalues the Intranet if you get it wrong at the start.

Don't go for the document approach as this reduces the value of the content for r-purposing.

CMS v Portal
Two totally different pices of technology. Portal is about delivering content to the at the right time at the right people. In my experience this is an IT approach to a business problem.

However, it will not improve the quality of the underlying content, which a well implemented CMS can. Don't skimp over the User training and most importantly don't just train them on using the tool. You are about to turn your users into publishers!

My advice would be to go for a well thought out Intranet using a CMS, that has metadata applied by the users. When you have launched this (24 months), look at portal technology to improve the in context, on time aspect.

Hope this helps,

An Intranet Consultant