Definition of Platform A computing Platform is a type of
hardware and/or software where application programs may run.
Operating Systems are Platforms, as are different types of
computing hardware. Special-purpose Platforms include Routers,
Remote Access Servers and database servers. A Platform is
frequently associated with its own Credentials database. A
Platform (as it relates to Identity Management (IdM)) is a type
of target system. There are many possible types of platforms,
including: - Network operating systems: Windows NT, Windows
2000, Novell NetWare, etc. - Directories: LDAP, x.500, etc. -
Host operating systems: MVS/OS390/zOS, OS400, OpenVMS, Tandem,
Unisys, etc. - Groupware and e-mail systems: MS Exchange, Lotus
Notes, Novell GroupWise, etc. - Applications: SAP R/3,
PeopleSoft, Oracle Applications, etc. - Database servers:
Oracle, Sybase, MSSQL, Informix, DB2/UDB, etc.