Search June 12 2008

Search sub-group

June 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m., Mathematics & Computer (MC) 1058

Present: Paul, Kevin, Glenn, Megan, Bill, Isaac

Regrets: Allan, Lauren

Conference call with Scott Goodhew, Enterprise Sales Manager, Google Canada

1. Introduction to Google solutions

  • focus is on tools for the Web and also for business environments
  • Part of Google Enterprise group
  • Packaging of solutions for the commercial space, Google apps, …
  • Educational environment

2. University of Waterloo's current search strategies

  • New version developed in 2006 on use on home page; negotiated 10,000 limit per day;
  • looking for replacement
  • Library is using new Custom search
  • Legacy Application Programming Interface (API), AJAX, CSE (Custom Search Engine)

3. Fee vs. free search

  • Fee allows ability to control depth and breadth of search; customize search results; control look-and-feel
  • Create different collections (e.g. library, Registrar)
  • Deploy things like Sponsored Links, synonyms
  • Examples: McGill
  • Can disable advertising in free solutions
  • Site Search – can direct crawlers to pick up 100%

4.CSE/AdSense For Search (AFS) (e.g. Custom Search Engine - free solutions)

  • Hosted
  • Some interface customization
  • No Extensible Markup Language (XML)
  • No comprehensive index coverage (google normally only indexes about ~70% of our content)
  • No adjustable index frequency
  • Searchable content – public only
  • Can eliminate advertising (educational/non-profit)
  • Limit of 10,000 may not carry forward with new interface

5. Google Site Search (enterprise)

  • Hosted by Google
  • Interface customization
  • Results available as xml
  • Comprehenive index coverage (100% of documents vs ~70% with free solutions)
  • No adjustable index frequency
  • Searchable content – public
  • Enterprise support available
  • Advertising optional
  • Pricing:
    • up to 1M documents, 3M search queries/year $15000
    • up to 2M documents, 6M search queries / year $30,000
  • Branding would say “Site Search”
  • Can put in a subscribed links that would function like keywords; similar to current paid search listings at Google (e.g. if someone searches for "history" the history department site could be a subscribed link that would show up in a special area at the top)
  • Ability to add refinement searches (e.g. exams inside the Math Faculty)
  • Example: University of Toronto
  • Some reporting capabilities

6. Google Search appliance

  • Appliance (you buy the hardware)
  • Interface customization
  • Results available in XML
  • Comprehensive index coverage (100% of documents vs ~70% with free solutions)
  • Adjustable Index frequency
  • Searchable content – public & protected (i.e. can index password protected content, content in other systems)
  • Enterprise support available
  • Advertising optional
  • Pricing (2 yr costs)
    • Up to 500K documents $30,000 US ( 24,000 EDU)
    • Up to 1M documents $50,000 US ($40,000 EDU)
    • Up to 2M documents $100,000 ($80,000 edu)
  • They supply machine; hosting infrastructure; derivative of linux; we don’t touch the OS
  • If you lose the appliance, could be out of business for a few days; have a hot backup option ($20,000)
  • Examples:
    • University of Toronto: have added key matches; e.g. graduate (works like a keyword – also available in the Site Search, import spreadsheets)
    • McGill: e.g. dentistry; search on acronym; default, search all of content; could search under News, Events
    • Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations; e.g. 911, multiple association with keywords; note the use of the tabs
  • Associate different key matches with different frontends.
  • “one box” – e.g. google weather waterloo
  • Customize display: e.g. Apple site, different front ends
  • Administration: 2 levels; 1 – security person; 2 – manager profile; control key matches, style sheets
  • Reporting: popular search terms, search terms yielding 0 results; Google analytics better; trends directions, top 10 queries
  • 2 year contract, return appliance and get a new one; renegotiate price

7. Questions

  • Search appliance
  • What happens if you hit the limit? May revert to unsupported solution. Renegotiate next year’s contract.
  • Integration of search appliance and Analytics (not clear on how this works/what it gives you)

-- MeganMcDermott - 16 Jun 2008