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Experience Management

Have you optimized enterprise search?

Recently, I came across an AIIM study that focused on enterprise search and discovery trends. As a Google Search partner, we have in-depth knowledge of search and the challenges of the “knowledge worker.”  We hear from clients every day that their implementation of enterprise search helps to increase productivity and this report validated that assumption; however, this report also highlighted some findings that I found interesting around optimization of enterprise search.

  • 38% of organizations have not tuned or optimized their search environment
  • 8% purchased a solution and have not turned it on
  • Half of respondents in the survey allocate less than half an FTE to support search applications
  • Only 12% have used external expertise

shutterstock_140042659The number that struck a chord with me was that 38% of organizations have not tuned or optimized their search environment. (tweet this) In many ways I liken search to playing an instrument. If you are going to play, you need to tune the instrument so that when you play it, the sound is a pleasant one.  It may be simplistic to think this way, but it’s the same with search.
After an implementation and heavy lifting of connecting your emails archives, content systems, documents, internal systems, image files, etc. search needs to be optimized or tuned to help ensure that the most important information and relevant information is presented when your users perform a search.
One way to do this is to use the solution for a while, receive feedback from users, and then take a look at the gaps.  As part of our process with our clients, we do optimizations 6-12 months post-implementation. This has helped many clients:

  • Identify new ways that GSA features and functionality can be used
  • Address any ongoing feature request
  • Improve search relevancy by fine tuning the results
  • Ensure best practices are being used

We have heard time after time that the optimization process helps provide more concrete ROI and higher satisfaction rates for enterprise search users. When was the last time you optimized your enterprise search environment?
 
1 AIIM Industry Watch: Search and Discovery, c 2014

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Beth Martin

I work with our emerging solutions practices to ensure we have a powerful marketing strategy, value proposition and lead the go-to-market streams for the emerging partnerships within Perficient. With over 20 years in B2B marketing focusing on software & consulting , I help businesses optimize go-to-market activities including but not limited to strategic planning, messaging, advertising, collateral, events and content.

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