IBM has announced its next generation WebSphere Portal, which includes comprehensive Web 2.0 tools and targeted customizations, known as business accelerators, that speed the deployment of common portal solutions while maintaining the flexibility desired by customers, the company says.

Also available later this month is IBM Portlet for Google Gadgets that helps extend the value of Internet services to business environments and needs. This portlet offers the ability to add consumer-style Google Gadgets that allows end users to integrate consumer-style web utilities, extending the value of Internet services to business environments.

The five business accelerators include:

* Dashboard Accelerator - provides flexible tools and a framework for assembling dynamic dashboards and scorecards linking strategic objectives to real-time performance information.

* Collaboration Accelerator - includes features that drive increased team collaboration tools that help improve productivity.

* Self-Service Accelerator - provides an intuitive user experience to self-service capabilities such as orienting new employees, viewing paycheck and tax information, managing personal information, and initiating and managing career transactions.

* Content Accelerator - enables customers to build and manage high value websites, intranets, extranets, and portals with advanced search services.

* Enterprise Suite Accelerator - delivers an integrated solution of content, advanced search services, collaboration, and dashboard accelerators, as well as forms and offline client support.