By DAVID BERTOLA
dbertola@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1621

Earthlink Inc. has invested more than $1 million in an Internet portal being developed in Buffalo.

Earthlink, an Internet Protocol infrastructure and services company located in Atlanta, launched the myLink portal Sept. 27 through its Earthlink Business division.

The portal included a new user interface, branding, navigation and online support capabilities.

The next release, planned for Dec. 8, will support the company's new products nationwide. 

A Web portal is a website that functions as a singular access point, allowing users to get information from the Internet. Earthlink's myLink portal is a tool set used by Earthlink business customers to identify problems and forecast potential ones on their data or phone networks.

There also are other functions where users can see where Earthlink already has identified issues, which were addressed and fixed.

Customers also can check the status of orders they placed through Earthlink and see their bill.

Usage reports and the number of phone calls and data traffic can be seen, as well.

With the portal, said Earthlink Web development manager Mark Winer, "(clients) don't need to have a person in charge of IT."

He works on the portal from the company's Buffalo office at 295 Main St.

He oversees the project, which is supported by an IT staff from around the country.

An estimated 150,000 business customers from around the United States will use the portal, which can give them a look at their servers and systems and incorporate managed IT services, all on the site. 

Company spokeswoman Michele Sadwick said the Dec. 8 release will support the company's new products. Enhancements include a communications portal and GoogleMaps functionality. The new products are those that:

• Allow for the ability to see the status and availability of a data network.

• Provide voice reports and data reports.

• Let the customer communicate directly with 911 to confirm company locations on file with emergency services.

A mobile version, which would be viewed on cell phones, will be part of the offerings that Winer builds.

"We have a lot in there, but it will continue to evolve," said Winer, adding that customer feedback will also drive future portal versions.

He joined Earthlink when the company acquired One Communications on April 1.

In October, the company signed an agreement to purchase the IT Solution Center and hosted application business from Synergy Global Solutions Inc. of Buffalo for about $5 million.

"Synergy has great IT support and services," Sadwick said. "We can now take Synergy's services and bring them to market through Earthlink Business' 600 direct salespeople throughout the country."