customer portal

noun

A customer portal is a restricted online area where customers can view their own information and carry out tasks. Available information and features depend on their roles and permissions.

The customer can download an invoice and submit an address change through the customer portal.

A customer portal gives users access to part of your service. They might track an application, upload a document or repeat an order. A similar environment can serve members, tenants or business partners.

An environment for each user

After sign-in, the application determines which data someone may see. Glossary · In briefauthenticationAuthentication is the process by which a system verifies the claimed identity of a user, device or application.Read more⁠ verifies identity; Glossary · In briefauthorizationAuthorization is the process of determining and enforcing which data and functions a user, device or application may access.Read more⁠ determines permitted actions. Adding a login screen alone is not enough. Access checks must also apply when someone requests data directly from the server.

A portal does not have to store all information itself. It can retrieve data from existing systems through an Glossary · In briefAPIAn API is a defined way for software to exchange data or call functions in other software without needing to know how that software works internally.Read more⁠. Agree which system is authoritative when information changes.

Following up on a request

Submitting a form is often the start of a process. Show whether the request was received, who is handling it and when the next step is expected. This connects the customer's actions to the work inside the organization.