DotNetNuke is an open-source Web Application Framework ideal for creating and deploying projects such as commercial websites, corporate intranets and extranets, online publishing portals, and custom vertical applications Typically, portals provide a single web front-end to the many applications within an organization. For example, it may present critical information from HR, Finance, Marketing, Customer Service etc all from one site. Connected back-end systems also provide businesses with the opportunity to combine information and more easily assist.
DotNetNuke is built on a Microsoft ASP.NET (VB.NET) platform, and is easily installed and hosted With a growing community of over 440,000 users, and a dedicated base of programming professionals, support for DotNetNuke is always close at hand.DotNetNuke is available exclusively as a download from DotNetNuke.com To perform the download, one must simply register on the site. A verification code is then sent to the email address provided, and used upon the first log-in to the DNN site After logging in, the user is able to freely download DotNetNuke. Once the software is properly downloaded and installed, users can immediately go about managing all aspects of their new Internet or intranet site. That is because the DotNetNuke application provides all of the key features and tools required to operate and maintain the site, as well as giving the administrator complete control of the content, layout, membership, and security of the site.
Within minutes downloading DotNetNuke, it is conceivable that a person with no programming skill could be piecing together a completely original, dynamic web portal. They could be creating new pages of content, using pre-built content types (modules) like announcements, discussions, events, FAQs, feedback forms, and images. They could be creating membership roles, sending bulk emails, and defining secure sections for registered site users only.They could even be setting up banner advertising, customizing the site appearance, and submitting the site to search engines.
Easy Access, Any Time, From Anywhere : Because access to the portal is via the web, information on the portal can be obtained at any time, from any location. This can significantly improving the way mobile and remote workers interact with the organisation.
Personalised User Experience :Only authorised people can access the portal, and their level of authorisation will determine what information is presented to them. So, for example, while employees may have access to all information on the portal, resellers will only see areas designed for their use. This means a single portal can effectively manage information needs of a number of stakeholder groups.
Free Open Source Licence : DotNetNuke is free, open-source software licensed under a BSD-style agreement. It allows individuals to use the application framework, both commercially and non-commercially, with the simple requirement of giving credit back to the DotNetNuke project community.
User-Friendly : DotNetNuke is designed to make it easy for users to manage all aspects of their projects. Site wizards, help icons, and a well-researched user interface allow universal ease-of-operation. The drop and drag feature ensures that containers and modules are easily moved within pages by mouse. The recycle bin allows users to restore any content, modules, or pages that have been deleted.
Open Standards = Ease of Integration : DNN is completely open, enabling virtually any kind of application, information or service to be integrated with your portal, regardless of their physical location or access appliance.
Standards-Based 
NN delivers full compliance with the .NET platform and with security standards such as LDAP, XML and SOAP. DNN follows real world best practices for constructing web applications using ASP.NET. This includes a logical data access layer (provider model), business logic layer (using custom business objects), and presentation layer (skinning).
ADA Compliance : The DNN framework also complies with the ADA (American Disability Association) standards for accessible websites. Fully customisable Changes can be made to portals at all levels from basic style sheet elements like font type, color, and bullet points, to overall site appearance. New skins and module containers can be easily applied to the site with no repercussion on content.
Multi-Site Support : DotNetNuke can support multiple portals or sites off of one install. In dividing administrative options between host level and individual portal level, DotNetNuke allows administrators to manage any number of sites – each with their own look and identity all off one hosting account.
Built-In Tools otNetNuke comes loaded with a set of built-in tools that provide powerful pieces of functionality. Site hosting, design, content, security, and membership options are easily managed and customized with these tools.
Highly Scalable = 1,000’s of Users : DNN is highly scaleable, allowing thousands of users to access the portal at the same time without affecting performance.
100% Data Driven and Database Independent : DNN is 100% data driven and database independent. DNN uses the Whidbey (ASP.NET V2) Provider model for data access; enabling it to integrate with any data store. The product ships with support for both SQL Server/MSDE 2000.
DNN Stakeholder Benefits: End Users Simple, web-based site management
- No HTML experience required.
- Intuitive, familiar user interface.
- Instant content publishing Site Administrators.
- Delegation of responsibility through role and permissions management.
- Advanced membership and audit capabilities.
- Reduction in training costs.
Designer:
- Separation of design and content
- No restrictions on creativity
- Ensures consistent branding IT Department
- Removes IT department from critical path for content management tasks
- Allows IT department to focus on strategic infrastructure initiatives
- Enables other stakeholders to be accountable for site management activities
- Reduces project life cycle duration and improves software quality and reliability
Management :
- Enables efficient collaboration between disparate organizational entities
- Accelerates time to market
- Increases return on investment
- Reduces total cost of ownership
Hosting Providers :
- Reduces support costs related to content authoring, programming, deployment, and configuration
- Increases revenue opportunities by leveraging modular extensibility
Integrates with leading provisioning control panels.
Extensible Architecture : For companies seeking to ensure the success and adoption of their portal initiatives, DotNetNuke provides unparalleled extensibility in terms of custom plug-ins via plug-in deployment of value added resources. DotNetNuke is able to create the most complex content management systems entirely with its built-in features, yet also allows administrators to work effectively with add-ons, third party assemblies, and custom tools. Site customisation and functionality are limitless. This allows organizations to freely leverage the base portal functionality and shift their focus to the implementation of their specific business requirements.DNN’s highly extensible framework allows for custom modules to be built in your ASP.NET language of choice and compiled as private assemblies. The necessary files can then be bundled as a compressed package and uploaded to the server where they are installed directly into the runtime portal environment.
Open Standards = Ease of Integration : DNN is completely open, enabling virtually any kind of application, information or service to be integrated with your portal, regardless of their physical location or access appliance.
Standards-Based : DNN delivers full compliance with the .NET platform and with security standards such as LDAP, XML and SOAP. DNN follows real world best practices for constructing web applications using ASP.NET. This includes a logical data access layer (provider model), business logic layer (using custom business objects), and presentation layer (skinning).
ADACompliance : The DNN framework also complies with the ADA (American Disability Association) standards for accessible websites. Fully customisable Changes can be made to portals at all levels – from basic style sheet elements like font type, color, and bullet points, to overall site appearance. New skins and module containers can be easily applied to the site with no repercussion on content.
Features :
- Bulk Email
- User Management
- Role Security
- Granular delegation of security, editing and administration
- Traffic stats
- Multi-portal hosting capabilities
- Hierarchical navigation and managementbundled with several modules to get your site up and running with some content
