Another Player in the Real Time Operational Intelligence Game
July 21, 2012
A business questing for success in today’s evolving market knows real players play the real time operational intelligence game, and stakes are high. A company has to choose the right pieces to utilize and there are quite a few choices available.
Veteran dashboards may have some competition, as another player just entered the game according to AppGap’s article, “JackBe Extends its Real-Time Operational Intelligence Offering.” Will they play for keeps?
The article threw in lots of interesting screenshots, but the jest was JackBe is offering a dashboard. That doesn’t make them stand out, but what might is Presto.
Presto remote monitoring shows potential for growth, as:
“This can be monitoring turbines, large engines, smart grids, data center storage, Twitter feeds and machine-to-machine monitoring. The goal is to provide more self-service for business users. JackBe Presto allows a tech savvy business person to create and set up dashboards that aggregate data from multiple sources. The goal is to allow the business side to do 80% of the work and leave the 20% of real tough stuff to the IT guys.”
The real gamble is… not much was mentioned about costs and resources (human and machine) for the system. What JackBe is offering sounds good and almost like the Fast Search & Transfer of yesteryear. For now, they are just another player in the Real Time operational intelligence game… but it is their move.
Jennifer Shockley, July 21, 2012
SLI Turns Up the Volume
July 21, 2012
The beat goes on, but there for a moment SoundStage customers were having trouble finding specific beats. According to SLI System’s release “SoundStage Direct Connects Audiophiles to Hard-to-Find Vinyl LPs Using Site Search from SLI Systems” SoundStage switched to SLI and got their search rhythm back in tune.
SoundStageDirect is an online seller of new and reissue vinyl LPs along with LP turntables and other stereo equipment. They have one of the largest selections of vinyl LP’s online and cater to LP enthusiasts on an international level. Making sure their cliental has efficient, user friendly search is a top priority, and non-relevant query results were becoming an issue.
Since the switch to SLI, SoundStage has seen online conversions and revenue increase more than five times per visit. They exclaimed:
“Right away, we could see that search results were much more closely related to keyword terms, and because Learning Search learns from the way our customers search for LPs and applies that information to future searches, results become even more relevant over time. We also now offer search suggestions, which help customers find LPs from similar musicians, which can motivate them to buy more.”
The technology created by SLI Systems provides their clients with a full-service site search, including merchandising, navigation and user-generated SEO. .Music is the universal language of mankind, and SLI just turned up the volume for SoundStage.
Jennifer Shockley, July 21, 2012
The Heart of Europe Beats to an English Rhythm
July 19, 2012
Sail Labs is one of the world’s leading innovators in language technology and they recently upgraded some of their programming. Keeping their language features up to date is of the utmost importance and one specific language climbed to the top of their list.
English was recognized as the key language for IT, media and communication by Sail Labs. They reside in the heart of Europe but according to “SAIL LABS Technology unveils new English Language Feature,” that heart now beats to a more modernized English rhythm.
The upgrades were made to Sail LAB’s award winning software, which is:
“The Media Mining System provides an integrated platform for decision makers in a diversity of languages: It automatically records, harvests and ingests data from multiple sources such as TV, radio, electronic documents and the Internet (social media, blogs, feeds, web pages) and creates valuable metadata and key information out of it. Subsequently, this output can be used for future search, retrieval, visualization and analysis.”
Now, when Sail LABs thinks in optimum terms, they put a lot of effort into mimicking perfection. Their most recent language model is composed of 20 years of English research. The program has been increased by over 85.000 words and includes current expressions, names of persons and organizations. That may not sound like a lot over twenty years, but the features were designed specifically to provide optimal coverage for modern media.
It may not take long to start hearing some feedback, but one has to wonder if it will be in their new improved English. Guess we will see if the heart of Europe really beats to an English rhythm.
Jennifer Shockley, July 19, 2012
CCFinder Offers Flexibility but How Far Do They Stretch
July 16, 2012
Creative commons offers a lot of versatility, but up until now the available finders have been limited. Flexibility was needed and AbelsSoft’s new creative commons image finder provides just that. Lifehacker’s article “CCFinder Simplifies Creative Commons Image Searches” talks about the pluses and minuses of this new program.
AbelsSoft offers a few perks when it comes to defining search, such as:
“You can filter your search to omit or include various types of CC restrictions such as non-commercial use only, references required to the original author, etc. Once you perform a search you can select a single or multiple images and either download to your preferred folder, visit the source image web site, or set the image as your desktop wallpaper.”
One taut aspect of CCFinder’s search engine is that it only utilizes Flickr, which ironically has the largest selection of CC licensed images available. Creative Commons offers users several sites to choose from, like Google Images, Open Clip Art Library, and Fotopedia, however users are still limited to one site per search.
The download is free for CCFinder, but registration does sign users up to receive an occasional newsletter. In itself, that is not a lot to ask for the convenience of well-defined search. AbelsSoft also offers a professional version of CCFinder that further defines how users search by implementing color filters. At first glance, CCFinder seems a user friendly program with search flexibility. We will have to see how far they stretch.
Jennifer Shockley, July 16, 2012
New Version of Funnelback
June 25, 2012
Funnelback’s latest version boasts a number of new features, we learned at Regina’s List in “Funnelback 11 Launched with Automated Tuning and SEO Assistant.” The press release describes the new Automated Tuning component:
“Brett Matson, Managing Director of Funnelback, said Funnelback 11 has the ability to continually and automatically optimize its ranking using a correct answer set determined by the customer. This enables customers to intuitively adjust the search engine ranking algorithm to ensure it continuously adapts and is optimized to the ever-changing characteristics of their own information environment. A related benefit is that it exposes how effectively the search engine is ranking, said Mr. Matson.”
Other new features include an integrated SEO assistant, updatable indexes, efficient crawling, 64-bit indexing, a new high performance search interface, a broken links report, and a People Search feature for users’ customers. The software is available on Windows, on Linux, and as a cloud service.
Based in Australia, Funnelback grew from technology developed by premier scientific research agency CSIRO. The company was established in 2005, and was bought by UK content management outfit Squiz in 2009. They offer Enterprise and Website Search, both of which include customizable features. Their memorable name derives from the names of two Australian spiders, the funnel-web and the red back.
Cynthia Murrell, June 25, 2012
Sponsored by PolySpot
Quixey Snags $20 Million in B Round Funding
June 19, 2012
Quixey, who says their cross-platform app search engine is one-of-a-kind, has just raised $20 million in Series B funding bringing total capital raised to $24.2 million, according to TNW Insider’s “Smart App Search Engine Quixey Raises $20m from Eric Schmidt’s VC Firm and Others.” Google Executive Chairman Schmidt’s investment firm Innovation Endeavors was joined by Chinese firm WI Harper Group; US Venture Partners; Atlantic Bridge; SK Planet; and TransLink Capital in supporting the young company.
Quixey has found a potentially profitable search niche—they address the problem of finding, out of millions of existing apps across numerous platforms, the app you need when you need it. Writer Robin Wauters describes the company:
“Quixey says it has invented a ‘new type of search’ that allows users to find mobile, desktop and Web apps ‘that do what they want’ based on natural language-based technology. The Palo Alto, California-based company teams up with phone makers, carriers, browser and online search companies to power app search for them, and encourages app publishers and developers to ‘claim’ their apps.”
Wauters points out that several companies do offer similar services: AppsFire, Apple’s acquisition Chomp, Mimvi and Appolicious, to name a few. Does Quixey offer something special?
Founded in 2009 specifically to fill this niche, Quixey has trademarked the term “Functional Search” to describe their app-finding engine. The company is located in Palo Alto, CA.
Cynthia Murrell, June 19, 2012
Sponsored by PolySpot
Oracle Chases Customer Support
June 6, 2012
Computer Business Review recently reported on Oracle integrating RightNow with Fusion in the article “Oracle Integrates RightNow CX Cloud Service With Fusion Sales.”
According to the article, Oracle has now integrated its RightNow CX Cloud customer experience suite with Fusion Sales in order to help organizations facilitate relevant cross channel customer interactions by improving revenue and making processes more efficient.
RightNow, a U.S. company that incorporates search technology, acquired Q-Go, a European natural language search system, in 2011. Since this acquisition the firm has been able to extend and improve its services. The additional $8 million in revenue helped make the CX Cloud experience suite possible.
The article states:
“The integrated applications also provides a cross-channel view of the customer to sales, marketing and service, allows sales to review service history in preparation for sales calls and empowers sales and service departments to collaborate to solve customer issues, using opportunities to provide purchase advice at the right time and with the right applications.”
This new suite of products will be able to allow organizations to deliver a more targeted approach to customer needs.
Jasmine Ashton, June 6, 2012
Sponsored by PolySpot
Infor Trailblazes the Future of Workplace Social Technology
May 12, 2012
Market Watch recently reported on a new enterprise software solution in the news release “Infor Delivers the Next Step in Software: Social Business Applications.”
According to the release, enterprise software provider Infor has announced the release of a new enterprise software solution that has the advanced capability to collaborate and communicate. What does this mean exactly?
The New Workspace works similarly to social networking tools and provides a similar interface. But it also works as a great asset to workplace decision making by providing role-based and contextual information from multiple applications in a single interface.
When describing the benefits of the New Workplace, the article states:
“Workspace also helps manufacturers address the critical problem of attracting and energizing young workers, particularly millennials. With Workspace, younger generations of workers are able to interact with one another in a way similar to their interpersonal interactions online. They can share and discuss their work with each other in an intuitive, familiar environment, helping to excite them and ignite the creative collaboration that fuels innovation.”
Due to rapid technological advancement it is imperative that companies adapt to meet the needs of the next generation of employees. This innovative new platform is an excellent step towards achieving this.
Jasmine Ashton, May 12, 2012
Will More Companies Leave Google Maps?
March 22, 2012
Here’s an interesting observation, or will be if this really does become a trend: Digital Trends asks, “Why Are Companies Defecting from Google Maps?” Writer Geoff Duncan notes that both Foursquare and Apple are reducing their usage of Google Maps. Two withdrawals, however, do not necessarily mean more are on the way. If more do follow, we will know that Duncan was on to something.
The article supplies a brief history of mapping and route-planning services, a field in which Google came from behind players like MapQuest to dominate the market. It helped that Google was giving away the service for free, and even helping third parties use it on their sites. That is Google’s usual path to domination, after all.
There is, however, a reason other companies have not followed Google’s lead in this direction: the mapping and routing process calls for a lot of man-hours, even in the digital age. Last autumn, even Google introduced a paid version. Duncan writes:
“Google first announced plans to begin monetizing Google Maps nearly a year ago, including a requirement that any new services forward display advertising in Google Maps along to their end users, so Google could start generating advertising revenue from the service. The hammer truly dropped in October 2011, when Google finally revealed pricing for Google Maps services. Lightweight usage was still free — subject to terms of service, of course. However, significant load volumes would begin to incur charges: basically, services and applications that generated more 25,000 map loads per day would be charged $40 to $10 for every additional 1,000 map loads. For folks using styled maps — the most intensive and customized option — the initial threshold is 2,500 maps per day.”
That’s a lot of maps, and the vast majority of sites using the service would remain un-charged. For behemoths like Foursquare and Apple, however, it seems that it may have made the difference; the trial period ended shortly before these companies (mostly) jumped ship. Only time will tell whether other Google users will follow their lead.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 22, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com <http://www.pandia.com/enterprise-search>
AppRapids Conference: Sharing Insights in the Digital Field
February 27, 2012
We at Beyond Search are happy to announce that registration is now open for the first AppRapids conference March 28, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Apprapids is an enterprise information service that focuses on app-related issues and is sponsored by PolySpot. The one-day conference will focus on how apps are transforming the business and digital worlds. The conference will allow attendees and speakers to interact to share insights in the field.
The press release, “Apps are Where it’s at: Register Now for AppRapids Conference,” gives us more information on the collaborative event. We learn:
“Apps have been integrated into every aspect of life on both personal and professional levels. However, a lack of knowledge, and consequently agency, exists among many app users and potential app creators. Apps have roots in the past, are impacting the present, and will construct the future. Conference sessions will range from planning and development to implementation and business implications. Speakers will provide details of real-life use cases, best practices and lessons learned.”
Keynote speakers include Craig James, a partner in CatStrat; Ric Manning, a technology columnist at the Louisville Courier-Journal; and Doyle Friskney, Chief Technology Officer and Associate Vice President at University of Kentucky. Conference sponsors include: Arnold IT, PolySpot, WorkShop, the Creative Workplace, and Interactive Media Lab.
To register and view the schedule and speaker information, head over to http://www.apprapids.com/conference-registration/.
Andrea Hayden, February 27, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
