The increasing number of application scenarios for IT systems has led to a significant rise in complexity compared to earlier installations. Various methods have emerged to integrate these diverse application stacks, with Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) being a recent focus aimed at achieving a unified view of different systems. However, the rise of cloud-based services introduces new challenges. IT decision-makers are drawn to cloud offerings for their potential cost savings and enhanced flexibility to adapt to market changes. This work emphasizes inter-organizational networks characterized by rapid setup times and quick market entry, facilitating innovative products through collaboration. A key challenge is the integration of dedicated ICT components. The text illustrates how portal systems can serve as intermediaries between providers and consumers, ensuring seamless access to relevant information within networked enterprises. It proposes a generic architecture as a blueprint for future enterprise portal implementations, emphasizing user-centric integration of external services to enhance productivity and satisfaction. Additionally, secure communication features are highlighted to manage information exchange based on the current application or user context across integrated applications on the portal platform.
