Information Builders Merges Search, Business Intelligence

WebFocus Intelligent Search leverages the Google Search Appliance to seek out and analyze structured and unstructured data.

Rick Whiting, Contributor

March 9, 2006

1 Min Read
InformationWeek logo in a gray background | InformationWeek

The line between search and business intelligence technologies is getting slimmer and slimmer. This week Information Builders unveiled WebFocus Intelligent Search, which allows users to search and analyze structured and unstructured data.

The new software package is the latest evidence that users see search and business intelligence technologies as complementary. Search is generally best for locating unstructured data, particularly when the specific data source isn't known. Business intelligence is best when seeking answers to specific questions from a known data source, especially structured data.

IBI's new software package relies on the Google Search Appliance and IBI's own iWay integration and adaptor software to allow users to search both structured and unstructured data and create entries in the Google index. Users can then combine the information in a WebFocus report using a single query from that business intelligence tool. IBI expects the software to have applications within government and financial services, as well as in any area where structured and unstructured customer data is frequently used.

The system uses the WebFocus Server, Google Search Appliance, and the iWay Google Index Adaptor. The product is currently being beta-tested by a number of IBI customers and will be generally available in the second quarter.

About the Author

Never Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.

You May Also Like


More Insights