But enterprise architectures need more than just a way to process that data. They also need varying levels of access to it in order to protect vital corporate information. You only get access to what you're allowed to know, and every transaction gets recorded. The solution is what's known as an enterprise portal, which on paper works something like a funnel with scrubbers.
All data goes through the portal, and all access is controlled through the same portal.
That means you can control who gets what information in an enterprise, usually through a single log-on, and it means you add in such security features as encryption. The application server sits between the back end and the Web. That means everything comes together on the application level. It all comes down to integration. The goal of the enterprise portal is to conduct business with other businesses, using all of the back-end data a company has to offer.