Additionally, a wireless interface has been added for employees and customers. The wireless package fine-tunes the portal's format to accommodate the interfaces of handheld devices and supply interactive data streams to and from these devices. When customers access the portal, they get individualized information tailored to their specific tastes. If they come in over a wireless link, they receive a personal acknowledgment of their presence and specialized sales information, as well as the ability to track orders. The portal provides an interface into the application server, which allows actions such as calculating specific product requirements that trigger the placing of a manufacturing order.
Customers also have the option of contacting company representatives via e-mail.
Their particular status as a new or preferred customer is continually monitored by membership management software, which informs other programs. When employees access the portal, they get the company's current stock price, an update of profit-sharing data, and the company's newsletter. They can then use the calendar server to schedule appointments within the organization and leave instant messages that pop up immediately on the screens of coworkers. They can also gain access to specific financial and product data that relates to their particular department and job title, through the application server, which is integrated with legacy databases. Strategic marketing partners come in through portals that are streamlined and channeled to give them access to specific information pertinent to the partnership.