The Mash Up Mixing Bowl
July 10, 2012
InetSoft Technology is mashing search technologies together with the availability of new custom data connectors for popular enterprise applications. This big mixing bowl will add connectors to the list of supported third-party data sources that do not already have open standards based connectivity according to Times Union’s article, “InetSoft Adds Google Analytics, AdWords, and Microsoft SharePoint as Data Sources for BI Dashboarding”.
The new InetSoft technology provides a smooth mix with an efficient transformation, as:
“Style Intelligence is a full-featured business intelligence solution for dashboard reporting that includes a powerful data mash-up engine. End-users get visually compelling, highly interactive access to data, and IT gets a highly customizable, easy to learn and quick to deploy business intelligence toolset and information delivery platform. Data mash-up capabilities allow for the integration of disparate data sources, enabling agile development and providing maximum self-service, while the application’s SOA architecture and open standards-based technology make for an ideal embedding and integration-ready application for dashboards, production reporting, and visualization.”
Those who take advantage of this new quick mix technology will get compelling visuals, along with highly interactive access to data. The IT department will find the technology easy to learn and highly customizable with a convenient business intelligence toolset and information delivery platform. The end result, InetSoft has mashed up search technologies into a big mixing bowl of efficiency.
Jennifer Shockley, July 10, 2012
Search the Impossible Search
June 22, 2012
The concept of “virtual documents” will be a familiar one for many search engine professionals. Simply put, it means assembling an indexable record in a search engine from constituent parts that otherwise exist in different places. A recently posted staff blog on Search Technologies’ Web site provides an excellent example of how virtual documents can directly address a business need.
The perspective of the searcher is often not well served by existing content structures.
The “people search” issue described by the article is a common one, and the case study shown clearly illustrates the value of virtual documents.
Read on at Virtual Documents, Search the Impossible Search.
Iain Fletcher, June 22, 2012
Sponsored by Search Technologies
Microsoft SharePoint: Controlled Term Functionality
June 13, 2012
Also covered “SharePointSearch, Synonyms, Thesaurus, and You” provides a useful summary of Microsoft SharePoint’s native support for controlled term lists. Today, the buzzwords taxonomy and ontology are used to refer to term lists which SharePoint can use to index content. Term lists may consist of company-specific vocabulary, the names of peoples and companies with which a firm does business, or formal lists of words and phrases with “Use for” and “See also” cross references.
The important of a controlled term list is often lost when today’s automated indexing systems process content. Almost any search system benefits when the content processing subsystem can use a controlled term list as well as the automated methods baked into the indexer.
In this TechGrowingPains write up, the author says:
A little known, and interesting, feature in SharePoint search is the ability to create customized thesaurus word sets. The word sets can either be synonyms, or word replacements, augmenting search functionality. This ability is not limited to single words, it can also be extend into specific phrases.
The article explains how controlled term lists can be used to assist a user in formulating a query. The method is called “replacement words”. The idea of suggesting terms is a good one which many users find a time saver when doing research. The synonym expansion function is mentioned as well. SharePoint can insert broader terms into a user’s query which increases or decreases the size of the result set.
The centerpiece of the article is a recipe for activating this functionality. A helpful code snippet is included as well.
If you want additional technical support, let us know. Our Search Technoologies’ team has deep experience in Microsoft SharePoint search and customization. We can implement advanced controlled term features in almost any SharePoint system.
Iain Fletcher, June 13, 2012
SharePoint Users Beware Framesniffers
May 10, 2012
Security is a topic which is getting increased attention, particularly in the SharePoint community. I want to call attention to “Microsoft SharePoint and LinkedIn Data at Risk from Framesniffing Attacks” from ITWire.com. The Safari, Chrome, and Internet Explorer Web browsers are inadvertently allowing hackers to steal information from private Microsoft SharePoint Web sites and mine data from public Web sites like Linked In.
A Framesniffing Attack occurs when a hidden HTML frame loads a target Web site in the hacker’s Web page to mine information about the content and structure of the framed pages. The hacker can then overcome browser securities and read the sensitive information.
As explained in the ITWire.com article:
“Paul Stone, senior security consultant at Context said, “Using Framesniffing, it’s possible for a malicious Web page to run search queries for potentially sensitive terms on a SharePoint server and determine how many results are found for each query. For example, with a given company name it is possible to establish who their customers or partners are; and once this information has been found, the attacker can go on to perform increasingly complex searches and uncover valuable commercial information.”
The problem deals with the X-Frame-Options header that turns off the Web browser framing feature and in SharePoint it is not turned off by default. Microsoft has stated in the next SharePoint version they will set the X-Frame options, but until then, SharePoint gurus, it is up to you to find a solution. If your organization discovers a way to keep its information from prying eyes, you will still need a way to find the data.
Search Technologies implements solutions which are secure and do not impede findability or system performance. For more information, navigate to www.searchtechnologies.com.
Iain Fletcher, May 10, 2012
Lucid Imagination Announces New Search Technology for Salespeople
May 4, 2012
MarketWire recently published a news release announcing a new technology integration between Lucid Imagination, the commercial company for Apache Lucene/Solr enterprise search technology, and SugarCRM in the article “Lucid Imagination Technology Integration With SugarCRM Lets Customers Enjoy Improved Global Search Capabilities Wiht Apache Lucene/Solr.”
According to the release the new integration, first announced at SugarCRM’s 6th annual SugarCon event, allows customers to use Apache Lucene/Solr one of the world’s best open source search solution.
LucidWorks will help both salespeople and management find what they need more efficiently because it uses faceted and navigational search to improve the overall search experience. This new technology also brings better security, relevancy, management capabilities, scalability, and high availability than traditional SQL-based search products.
Clint Oram, CTO, vice president of product strategy and co-founder of SugarCRM said:
“LucidWorks accelerates and simplifies development of highly accurate, scalable, cost-effective search applications. The integration between LucidWorks and SugarCRM will enable users to work smarter and faster, and we are looking forward to seeing our customers experience positive results.”
Whereas most people question the relevance of search technology on their day-to-day lives, this exciting new search platform is made to help make the relationship between shoppers and customer service professionals more speedy and efficient.
Jasmine Ashton, May 4, 2012
Sponsored by HighGainBlog
Buried Alive by Data
May 1, 2012
This recent blog post on the Search Technologies’ Web site makes some amusing and thought provoking comparisons between the reality TV show “Hoarding, Buried Alive!”, and the state of unstructured data within some organizations.
This phrase—I am absolutely overwhelmed by this, I just don’t know where to start” – is attributed to both a hoarder on a TV show. The speaker is contemplating how to tackle a sink piled with dirty dishes. The phrase also applies to an enterprise search program manager contemplating how to begin a project.
The article, Buried Alive by Data is worth a read for the amusement value alone. However, it also makes some important points. Discipline and due process are key part of the success recipe. For enterprise search, the award-winning search assessment methodology is cited as a proven approach to project discipline. The comparison made between the lawlessness of a hoarder’s kitchen and the average corporate file share may seem somehow familiar to many readers.
Iain Fletcher, May 1, 2012
Sponsored by Search Technologies
Federated Search: A Definition
April 11, 2012
The phrase “federated search” means subtly different things to different people, and we have noted confusion occasionally arising because of this. It is therefore good to see a new article on the Search Technologies’ Web site clarifying matters. The article defines the task of federated search as:
Deploying a search over distributed and possibly heterogeneous data sets, and receiving in return a unified search results list.
Not only does the piece provide a clear definition of the alternative strategies for implementing federated search, it also lists the fundamental pros and cons of the different approaches. Read on at Federated Search: The Options.
Iain Fletcher, April 11, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
SharePoint: Internal and External Functionality
March 29, 2012
When you hear the term “dark” these days it usually refers to the surge in vampire romance fiction or Stars Wars variants. In the world of web design, however, dark means that web developers use dark web templates on their pages. It takes a good eye for color and contrast to make a dark web site work and Top SharePoint found “50 Beautiful Dark Web Sites Built on SharePoint.”
As the article’s author explains:
“Personally I am very fond of dark websites even though clean light web design is the main choice, especially in the corporate world. It is true that dark designs have a tendency to feel a bit heavy and harder to read if lot of text is presented but I feel they look more elegant and creative. Besides, using dark backgrounds you can make the content stand out and be the main focus.”
Perusing through the list the web sites that catch my eye are “The City of Calgary,” “Hard Rock Casino Tulsa,” “Club Paradiso,” and “NSU.” Pick your own favorites and discover new ideas for SharePoint web design. No matter what graphic colors you use for your SharePoint site, take into account that if you want visitors to find information you will need an excellent search enterprise.
If you want to use SharePoint for more than internal document sharing, you can turn to Search Technologies to assist you in leveraging SharePoint. In addition to dynamic content and rich media, a Search Technologies’ implementation can integrate your public facing Web site with your internal SharePoint system. You will be able to establish immediate and direct interactions with your prospects and customers without losing the SharePoint functionality you need to run your business in a cost effective manner. To learn more, visit www.searchtechnologies.com.
Iain Fletcher, March 29, 2012
MessageSolution for Managing SharePoint Data
March 8, 2012
We have here another attempt to tame SharePoint’s content wild ponies: “MessageSolution Showcasing SharePoint Governance and eDiscovery Platform at Microsoft SharePoint Technology Conference 2012”, reports SeattlePi. The write up declares:
By integrating award-winning enterprise archiving policy with SharePoint’s record center functions, MessageSolution has created a framework to automate eDiscovery and manage risk in SharePoint distributed farms. Now SharePoint administrators can regulate compliance, remotely offload Blobs to optimize SharePoint storage space and server performance, as well as search and restore objects instantly without the need for additional IT assistance.
For those who may not know, a Blob (also written BLOB) is a Binary Large Object. By offloading these objects from a SharePoint server using Microsoft approved EBS and RBS protocols, MessageSolution can speed up tasks in the SharePoint environment. This comes in handy when searching and restoring data for legal discovery proceedings. Furthermore, the article asserts, the tool reduces storage requirements with a high compression rate and single-instance storage.
Designed for both mid- and large-scale organizations, the product also sports a unified index; retention management; legal holds with hold notifications; a unified user interface and index; and federated search. The product’s focus on back-end design, according to the write up, means fewer hassles during installation and maintenance as well as a reduced backup time. See the article for more details.
MessageSolution’s SharePoint Management Solutions and its Enterprise eDiscovery Platform will be showcased at the 2012 SharePoint Technology Conference February 28-29 at the Union Square Hilton in San Francisco (booth #808).
Founded in 2002, MessageSolution has assembled a team of veterans from a number of other Silicon Valley enterprises. The company prides itself on providing solutions that simplify the complex processes of archiving and eDiscovery, including managing language differences, for organizations around the world.
Search Technologies stands ready to assist clients with search and content processing services for Microsoft SharePoint environments.
Iain Fletcher, Search Technologies, March 8, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Database Design Directions
February 23, 2012
We came across a quite useful checklist every database architect should keep on hand. Java Code Geeks give us “20 Database Design Best Practices.” The list covers everything from the commonsense:
“Use well defined and consistent names for tables and columns (e.g. School, StudentCourse, CourseID …).”
To the more advanced:
“Normalization must be used as required, to optimize the performance. Under-normalization will cause excessive repetition of data, over-normalization will cause excessive joins across too many tables. Both of them will get worse performance.”
With a little strong opinion mixed in:
“Lack of database documentation is evil.”
If you design (or oversee those who design) databases, do yourself a favor and check it out.
Most people think of search as providing access to unstructured information. Examples of unstructured information include email, Word documents, and Excel. Our extensive work in enterprise search has spanned structured data; that is, information in a database.
Search Technologies can handle difficult content acquisition tasks when needed information is held within Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle, or a similar data management system. In addition, Search Technologies can set up automated processes to handle extraction, transformation, and loading of data or subsets of data.
For more information about our capabilities to make structured and unstructured data more findable, navigate to www.searchtechnologies.com.
Iain Fletcher, February 23, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
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