InformationWeek

While the standard search and review method works fine on BullsEye, you can leverage its power by downloading the Web pages themselves and analyzing their contents. I found this method much more accurate than the typical first-pass method. If your connection speed is lower than 56 Kbps, be prepared to wait while it downloads and analyzes. BullsEye lets you work around this to some degree by scheduling the tracking of Web pages you have identified as relevant through previous searches. Networked or high-bandwidth locations will not have this problem, and users can configure the program to schedule automatic download and analysis of Web pages.

For my scenario, I wanted to get emerging information about key staff at IBM Global Services: who they are, what they are promoting, who their clients and partners are. Setting up a detailed search using compound terms took a fair amount of time, but you can save the search as a favorite and re-use and modify it. The first pass of results was not stirring at all and not much different than other meta search utilities. However, after download and analysis, I was presented with a select and manageable number of Web pages with highlighted text of the key phrases I was searching for. After saving my search, I can now refine it as I integrate results with my team's knowledge base and as I get more proficient in complex searches. I can also create a library of favorite searches, send them to peers, and allow others to modify, refine, and build on them.

BullsEye Pro also comes with a built-in Web-page tracking program, BullsEye Pro Tracker. This program will track changes on pre-selected Web pages on whatever schedule you choose and notify you via E-mail or BullsEye reports when changes occur. You can also schedule predefined searches.

BullsEye requires more time than the others to navigate and discover the range of features available, so productivity suffers until you perform a number of searches and track multiple Web pages. BullsEye could use more user guidance. I'd like to see a range of user-assistance tools, such as online help, tutorials, examples of searches by typical researchers, and inclusion of wizards.

Also, recognize that even the most refined searches will still come up with a lot of unrelated hits, so be prepared to retrieve and download Web pages as a matter of course. With some after-market training tools and services, business professionals can use this product effectively and focus on the key research that affects their companies and industries.

Summary
Beeline and Copernic 99 Plus are good products for professionals who conduct periodic or occasional Web research. Both are easy to learn and use but have limits on performance. They are limited in their flexibility and their power to tailor and proactively track relevant business-related Web sites and to perform preconfigured searches.

BullsEye Pro 1.5 is a product professional market researchers will love; other business executives can use it effectively but may not use it to its fullest potential because of its broad range of features and narrow guidance on where to start and how to manage searches. It could use more utilities to increase the ease of use, including sample searches or simple methodologies provided in specific domains, such as sales-force management, competitive and market landscape analysis, oil and gas trading strategy.