Google Springboard: Diving into Familiar Water
September 10, 2016
In June 2016, Google we learned the creator of the late, the replacement for the champion Google Search Appliance was bouncing up and down on the enterprise search diving board. Springboard, GOOG’s latest “new” search product was was, like the GSA, designed to put the right information at one’s fingertips. After the announcement in the Google for Work Official Blog, the product has down shallow dives in kiddie pools. Three laps later, Google is checking out more competitive indoor swimming facilities.
We learned this in “Box Teams Up with Google for Docs and Springboard Integration.” The announcement reveals a different approach to enterprise search for the GOOG. In the good old days, one could pony up hefty sums to license the Google Search Appliance. Google had determined more than a decade ago that on premises enterprise search systems like Autonomy IDOL (RIP) or Fast Search & Transfer ESP were too difficult for mere mortal to deploy in a cost effective manner. Google figured a search appliance, a finding toaster if I may craft a metaphor, was the solution. It really wasn’t. Google backed away from the expensive servers. From the fit go, Google’s use of on premises, old fashioned hardware seemed to run counter to the Google cloud ad search business.
We noted this statement in the “Box Teams Up” write up:
It may seem a little odd for Google to be collaborating with Box on cloud storage when Google has its own offering there, which is also a revenue driver for the search giant. But the partnership is actually only really likely to benefit customers of both groups, without really biting into the customer base of either, given the distinctions between what Box and Google Drive can provide.
The major features of Springboard from what we can see from our cabin in Harrod’s Creek are:
- Connectors to federate content
- Quick and easy searching across the content
- Assistance with “useful and actionable information throughout the day.
For more than six years the savvy Alphabet Google thing watched Amazon, Elastic, SearchBlox, Yippy and other vendors roll out cloud search solutions. As surprising as it is to some people, Google’s slow response to cloud based enterprise search underscores the malaise which seems to be emerging around the volleyball court. Will Googlers execute perfectly an arm stand back double somersault tuck into the pool from its Springboard?
Google’s marketing reminded me that I was 19 percent of one’s time looking for information. If I own a GSA (which I no longer possess), that device did not really help me out if Google’s data are correct? Will Springboard?
We will have to wait for an enterprise search competition before we know if Google wins a medal. One hopes Springboard will have that Elastic bounce.
Stephen E Arnold, September 10, 2016
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