Google updates Search Appliance

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 6 Aug 2008 at 12:01

Google has unveiled a new version of its enterprise Search Appliance, capable of indexing more than three times the number of documents as its predecessor.

The updated search server can track and search through up to 10 million documents, providing customised results for users in different departments. Software developers can have source-code results returned higher, while financial staff can have fiscal spreadsheets prioritised, for example.

The system also offers advanced features such as email alerts on certain keywords at preset intervals. This provides a way for staff to stay up to date on a certain topics within an organisation.

The Appliance will also return reports to IT staff on which documents receive the most search traffic for specific keywords.

"It is now easier than ever for companies to give all employees a Google.com search experience inside their business," says Dave Girouard, president of enterprise for Google.

"With the improved architecture for the search appliance, businesses can provide secure search across the largest enterprise content repositories - such as Documentum, Filenet, LiveLink, and Sharepoint - all from one easy-to-maintain appliance."

The sale of Search Appliance devices is a revenue stream that Google has been keen to grow. The hardware is provided by Dell, with Google providing a customised Linux operating system.

Prices for the devices start at $30,000 for the entry level system, but Google does not publicly reveal the cost of high-end models.