If you've read anything at all about portals, you'll probably know at least three things: Portals are the most exciting way to do business, Portals can be really, I mean really, complicated and lastly Portals are absolutely, outrageously, often unaffordably expensive.

Clearmark has recently implemented Mambo Server for various customers, and it's amazing!

Mambo Open Source is different from the normal models for portal software. For starters, Mambo has been developed for the masses, so it's not complicated. It's very easy to install and administor.

Mambo doesn't require the user or administrator of the system to know HTML to operate it once it's up and running. It is built with embedded editors. If you know how to use any basic word processor, you can create great looking content with no HTML coding.

It gets better! This software is licensed under the GNU/GPL license. This means there is NO licensing costs, AND there are not limitations on modifying this and using it in your COMMERCIAL enterprise.

As an open source tool, you are provided with all source code, example installation data to play with, and a plethora of sources for on-line assistance, support, and tools.

Mambo features:

• Completely database driven site engine, based on mysql (antoerh open source product)
• News, products or services sections fully editable and manageable
• Topics sections can be added to by contributing authors
• Fully customizable layouts including left, center and right menu boxes
• Browser upload of images to your own library for use anywhere in the site
• Dynamic Forum/Poll/Voting booth for on-the-spot results
• componant and modulater design to allow administrator to add or remove componants and modules as needed
• Runs on Linux, FreeBSD, MacOSX server, Solaris and AIX

Extensive Administration:

• Change order of objects including news, FAQs, articles etc.
• Random Newsflash generator
• Remote author submission module for News, Articles, FAQs and Links
• Object hierarchy - as many sections, departments, divisions and pages as you want
• Image library - store all your PNGs, PDFs, DOCs, XLSs, GIFs and JPEGs online for easy use
• Automatic Path-Finder. Place a picture and let Mambo fix the link
• News feed manager. Choose from over 360 news feeds from around the world
• Archive manager. Put your old articles into cold storage rather than throw them out
• Email-a-friend and Print-format for every story and article
• In-line Text editor similar to Word Pad
• User editable look and feel
• Polls/Surveys - Now put a different one on each page
• Custom Modules - Download and install custom modules such as e-commerce, events manager, forums, download/upload managers, and many more...
• Template Manager - There are hundreds of free templates that can be implemented in seconds, providing a refreshed look and feel to your site
• Banner Ad Manager - manager client advertising on your site

If you have a custom written website maintained by a team of programmers, and would like to maintain the site content yourself, I would encourage you to check out Mambo Server. Clearmark can help you implement the Open Source solution, and provide one-on-one or group training to get you up and running quickly. Contact us for more information.