Everything You Don't Know About Desktop Search

EVERYTHING YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT DESKTOP SEARCH
PLUS A 12-STEP CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATING DESKTOP SEARCH FOR THE ENTERPRISE February 2005, © ISYS Search Software Inc
ISYS Search Software Worldwide United States Australia United Kingdom ISYS Search Software Inc ISYS Search Software P/L ISYS Search Software (UK) 8775 East Orchard Road Suite 102,10-12 Clarke St Limited Suite 811 Crows Nest NSW 2065 The Steam Mill Englewood, CO 80111 Australia Steam Mill Street USA Chester CH3 5AN, UK Phone: +1 303 689 9998 Phone: +61 (0) 2 9439 5800 Phone: +44 (0) 1244 313 216 Email: info-us@isys-search.com Email: info-au@isys-search.com Email: info-uk@isys-search.comFax: +1 303 689 9997 Fax: +61 (0) 2 9439 8569 Fax: +44 (0) 1244 313 003 Everything You Don't Know About Desktop Search
INTRODUCTION Anyone who has taken even a brief glance at the technology trade publications in the last six months has most certainly come across the term 'desktop search'. The topic has received ample coverage, courtesy of the more than half-dozen companies that have announced either new or enhanced desktop search products. For the first time, countless individuals are experiencing the basic end-user benefits of desktop search. But despite all the attention the newest breed of desktop search is receiving in the press, here's what the media hasn't told you: . Desktop search is NOT new. Although a small market, a handful of software vendors has been providing businesses worldwide with commercial desktop search software for more than a decade. . Today's newcomers aren't ready for the enterprise. It's true that these tools are prompting consumers to look at search in a whole new light, and some of them are reasonably capable in helping users locate locally stored data. But without broad file format support, multi-lingual search capabilities, advanced functionality, network support and proper security measures, these tools don't meet the needs of the enterprise. . You get what you pay for. Most people accept that free software equals limited software. Desktop search is no different in that today's new free tools barely scratch the surface of what's possible. Businesses and government organizations that require a higher level of search sophistication recognize that free products don't address the full scope of their search needs and are therefore insufficient. This document provides an overview of the primary differences between consumer and enterprise desktop search, and the pitfalls to avoid. By outlining the three key reasons for implementing desktop search for your organization, this paper also examines the business benefits that desktop search lends to employees, workgroups and your entire enterprise. It also covers the areas that you should consider when evaluating potential desktop search solutions. You can use the 12-step checklist at the end of this white paper to define your own requirements for evaluating vendors. The following topics are covered: 1. The Difference Between Consumer and Enterprise Desktop Search 2. Three Reasons for Implementing Desktop Search: I. Greater Productivity II. Better Quality Decisions III. Improved Customer Service 3. Desktop Search Functionality - The Basics 4. Data Sources & File Formats 5. Technology Environment 6. Advanced Features 7. Scalability 8. Installation and Maintenance 9. Pricing Structure 10. Vendor Credentials 11. Requirements and Evaluation Checklist
© ISYS Search Software Inc www.isys-search.com Everything You Don't Know About Desktop Search
1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSUMER AND ENTERPRISE DESKTOP SEARCH You've read it in the news - desktop search has become all the rage, and one of the more popular tools proffered by today's software and Internet giants. But take a closer look at these beta products, and it becomes clear that the software is just that - beta. To be certain, consumers can derive benefit from just about any of these tools, despite the relative immaturity of the products. In reviews conducted by various members of the media, some products are rated higher than others, primarily due to offering broader file format support and a greater level of sophistication. But whether you're reviewing technology from Google, Microsoft or another new vendor, industry analysts have gone on record to caution organizations 1again... [download for more]