Iknow - Iknow Search

One of Iknow’s key strengths is developing effective enterprise search and information access strategies. We know that modern search technology enables users to explore data repositories of seemingly limitless size and complexity. Having the ability to search across multiple, large document databases and return current, relevant results provides organizations with a critical edge in productivity. Yet those implementing search technologies face an array of challenges; the complexity of arranging relevant data to be searched, and properly tuning content bases for efficient search and retrieval, receives too little attention.

By now we are all familiar with using search engine technology. You enter a word or phrase about which you are seeking further information and, depending on the term, you receive 1 or 10 or 10 million results. The operation of search engines involves highly complex procedures for parsing, delimiting, and storing data for fast retrieval. Public search sites (such as Google) are optimized for the broadest possible audience, and it requires a great deal of expertise to make these sites useful. Similarly, internal enterprise search technologies need to be tuned for the immediate needs of the user base, but only with specialized expertise. How does the enterprise strike this crucial balance -- maximizing access to information while also maximizing the necessary imposition of structure and classification? Solving this issue provides an enterprise with clear advantage. Iknow works in close partnership with clients to solve all the necessary integration and program management issues, allowing them to effectively strike this balance.

Understanding Enterprise Search

Beyond providing "utility" basic search service, effective enterprise search also involves integrating the basic search platform with processes and related components sych as:

Automated categorization—enabling the creation of categories and other approaches that streamline and simplify the search process.
Taxonomy and metadata—taxonomy refers to the underlying linguistic structures that items in a text base have I common. Metadata refers to indexing and cataloging information added to documents to enhance their capacity to be found; metadata can include keywords and phrases, author or workgroup collaboration information.
Storage and infrastructure optimization—search applications tend to be resource intensive, requiring large volumes of storage and processing cycles. Iknow’s experience in enterprise search and information access infrastructure means that we can assist clients in implementing large search platforms.
Vertical market optimization—Iknow has discovered that not all search and information access solutions are the same; there are substantial differences in the requirements between industries and sectors. Iknow’s broad experience means that we will address industry-specific needs and requirements in order to provide an optimal solution.

Effectively developed enterprise search and information access strategies and approaches provide a direct access to acquire and capitalize on organizational intelligence by enabling search results to contain novel, nuanced information that allow for better-informed decisions that lead to innovative, winning results.

Optimizing Enterprise Search – the Iknow Difference

Lasting satisfaction from investments in search (and complimentary technologies and approaches such as content management, taxonomy and classification, portal design) require a strategic approach. Too often, organizations implement a series of disconnected solutions, resulting in continual dissatisfaction. Iknow’s unique value proposition is to provide the perspective that allows search approaches and technologies to be implemented in service of the processing requirements the organization faces both today and in the future.

The ability to search and index the entirety of an enterprise’s data catalog -- including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data -- is now an integral part of the requirements for any enterprise application suite. Users face a challenging environment in which the enterprise looks to make the right decision for overall search strategy and the processes and technology components that fulfill it. Additionally, the projects must fulfill real day-to-day requirements and provide appreciable return on investment.

Iknow's experienced consultants develop efficient, cost-effective, and lasting knowledge solutions based around search technologies and processes. We recognize that any successful search strategy is based in definable user requirements that are unique within each enterprise – and within each departmental structure within them. We bring the experience and insight that is needed to develop a rigorous and effective program for implementing enterprise search.

Technologies

Iknow's client assignments typically involve the selection, deployment, and customization of one or more software products as well as data and application integration. Iknow works with and understands many of the leading portal software products, including:

Autonomy (http://autonomy.com) IDOL Server
Basis Technology (http://www.basistech.com ) Rosette Linguistics Platform
Convera (http://www.convera.com) RetrievalWare and Excalibur
Coveo (http://www.coveo.com) Coveo 4.0 Enterprise Search
Endeca (http://www.endeca.com) Endeca Information Access Platform
Entopia (http://www.entopia.com) Entopia K-Bus
FAST Search and Transfer (http://www.fastsearch.com) FAST Enterprise Search Platform
Google (http://www.google.com/enterprise/gsa/) Google Search Appliance
Grokker (http://www.grokker.com) Grokker Enterprise Search Management
IBM (http://www.ibm.com) WebSphere Information Integrator OmniFind Edition
InXight (http://www.inxight.com) InXight SmartDiscovery Server
iQuest Analytics (http://www.iquestanalytics.com) iQuest Engine
Isys (http://www.isys-search.com) ISYS 7 Suite
Northern Light (http://www.northernlight.com) Northern Light Business Research Engine
Recommind (http://www.recommind.com) Mindserver
Teragram (http://www.teragram.com) Teragram Direct Answers
Vivisimo (http://www.vivisimo.com) Velocity
X1 (http://www.x1.com) X1 Enterprise Edition
ZyLab (http://www.zylab.com) Information Access Platform

Why do companies rely on Iknow's consulting advice?

Companies choose Iknow to help them with their search challenges because Iknow has:

Deep expertise in search software and systems, as well as a solid understanding of the entire spectrum of KM, collaboration, and related information management software and technologies;
Exceptional business management consulting skills, including strong analytical, process design, and organizational change management capabilities;
Knowledge of most industry verticals, business processes, and business functions; and
An extensive project portfolio demonstrating experience in delivering complete end-to-end KM solutions.

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