So what exactly is SharePoint Portal Server? SharePoint Portal Server 2003 is the scalable portal server offering from Microsoft that connects people, teams and knowledge across business processes using a web interface.

SharePoint Portal Server 2003 integrates information from various systems into one secure solution through single sign-on and enterprise application integration capabilities. It provides flexible deployment and management tools and facilitates end-to-end collaboration through data aggregation organisation and searching. SharePoint Portal Server 2003 also enables users to quickly find relevant information through customisation and personalisation of portal content and layout as well as through audience targeting. Audience targeting aims information and updates to individuals based on their organisational role, team membership, interest, security group or any other membership criteria that can be defined using notifications or Web Parts.

In short: SharePoint Portal Server 2003 enables enterprises to deploy an intelligent portal that seamlessly connects users, teams and knowledge so that people can take advantage of relevant information across business processes to help them work more efficiently.