You want to get started with Portal?
Well, here's what you need:
Get a
used computer, like a Dell GX150 or better. In Canada, I can get one for about $175. But a gig of RAM in it.
Then, install JetSpeed2. It's a free portal server available through Apache.
JetSpeed-2 Portal Server Then you need a development tool. For a free tool, you can use Lomboz, which has a variety of editors and wizards that will help you get started. I use IBM's Rational Application Developer, but you may not have a lisence for that.
From there, start learning about how to develop portlets, and how to deploy them. I have a number of tutorials on my website that will show you how to develop using the JSR168 standard. I start off installing JetSpeed-2, and using Notepad and the javac compiler to create a war file for deployment, but then move on to a development tool. The tutorials will show you all the ins and outs of JSR168 portlet development:
Free Tutorials on JSR168 Portlet Development You should probably get a good book on JSR168 portlet development. Here's the one you need:
A Good Book On Learning JSR168 Portlet Development As far as plugging into SAP and stuff, those vendors usually provide their own portlets that just need to be installed and configured. Otherwise, you often just create a portlet as a presentation tier component, and connect to a web service, or some service oriented component, to access the SAP service.
Good luck, and happy portal!
-Cameron McKenzie