Intranet Information Portals and Enterprise Digital Information Services


T.B. Rajashekar
National Centre for Science Information (NCSI)
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore - 560 012
(E-Mail: raja@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in)


June 2001


Abstract

Libraries have traditionally played a key role in enterprises by facilitating access to relevant internal and external information sources. They have absorbed several enabling information technologies over the past several decades, in an attempt to improve the quality and timeliness of their information services. Digital information processing was however limited to bibliographic and catalogue data. Advent of the Internet significantly intensified the pace of change since the mid 1990's. Rapid maturing of Internet and intranet technologies have witnessed all round developments in publishing, communication, delivery and access to a multitude of digital information, both in commercial and academic domains. Web technology has emerged to be the converging point for all related processes, media, tools and techniques. This has in turn given impetus for the development of digital libraries and knowledge management solutions. Changes these developments have brought about pose interesting challenges for effective management of digital information in enterprises. What information infrastructures are required in enterprises that can take advantage of these developments? We argue that libraries, given their traditional strength in organising information and the lead they have exhibited in managing access to web-based information, are well placed to play a significant role in managing both internal and external digital information resources. This requires that the libraries enhance library websites to full-fledged intranet information portals (or enterprise information portals), by incorporating knowledge organisation principles of traditional libraries, standards, tools and techniques of DLs; and exploit internal information assets, knowledge resources and promote learning and collaboration using appropriate KM solutions. We briefly discuss the design and implementation aspects of such an intranet information portal.


1. Perspective:


2. Traditional role of libraries:


3. Factors of change:


4. Factors of change - Internet and the Web:


5. Factors of change - Intranets:


6. Factors of change - digital publishing and digital libraries:


7. Factors of change - Knowledge Management:


8. Factors of change - Consequences:


9. Information management in enterprises - challenges:


10. Response of libraries:


11. Intranet information portals:


12. Design, implementation and management issues:

Some recommendations from intranet portal designers and participating information professionals:


13. Conclusion: