A mashup is an integrated Application Programming Interface (API) that combines data from different
data sources or third party web services.
In recent years, mashups have been implemented to
enhance information management in many web applications.
Mashups provide a combined API that is
both technologically valid and compatible with other web applications, allowing them to provide
customized solutions to business end users through rapid data and service combination.
Traditionally
portal architectures aggregate content but have limitations which mashup solutions can overcome. We propose an alternative service development approach to the distributed architecture of web
portals, using a mashup technique.
We show how a generic design based around
web service
architectures can better meet end user needs,
and how customized solutions can readily be built for
business problems.
Prototype mashup applications,
developed through action research, were
evaluated favorably for usefulness, speed and ease of use by both technical and business
representative users.  --5th Annual Conference on Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR) was held: Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1-4 November 2012.