Vendors selling enterprise search engines have to deal with the new reality, the Google reality, that exists in today's marketplace. Google, and it's entry into enterprise search with the Google Appliance, has shaken up the industry according to Stephen E. Arnold in "How Google Has Changed Enterprise Search", Searcher Magazine, Nov./Dec. 2004. (This article is available in full-text for $2.95 from the InfoToday web site.)
According to Arnold, enterprise search vendors are having a difficult explaining why their complex search products are better than the ease and simplicity of Google. Arnold includes a table comparing public web search and enterprise search, noting the significant differences in how they work and what they're required to do.
Considering Google's positive image, the relatively low cost of the Google appliance, and their good financial position, enterprise search may never be quite the same.
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