What is Enterprise Search?
Enterprise search is a system that allows corporate users to search a variety of data sources through a single interface. This can include desktops, email servers, enterprise application databases, file servers, content management systems and both internal and external Web resources.
What is the difference between Enterprise Search and Internet Search?
While the two methods of search might sound similar, in reality the mechanisms behind the two are quite different. Usually, enterprise search systems do not search the public Internet and only focus on resources that are part of the company's private network. By the same token, Internet search engines generally do not cross corporate firewalls and search private corporate data.
Also, enterprise search engines tend to provide faster results since they are focusing on a set parameter of information.
In addition, information retrieved through an enterprise search solutions is not stored as Web pages on traditional Web servers; rather it's consolidated into a virtual repository gathered from numerous corporate resources.
What are the benefits of Enterprise Search?
Enterprise search solutions address the need of employees to quickly and easily search for the information they need when they need it. They can also bring additional security to the corporate network due to requiring authorization prior to accessing certain data.
Other benefits include an improved decision-making process, better corporate communication, improved productivity and compliance with government or industry regulations.