Google earlier this month released its Desktop Search for Enterprise, a corporate twist on the tool it launched back in March. From the user's viewpoint, the experience is the same as with the consumer product, but the new version also allows searching of Lotus Notes e-mails, as well as enabling centralised deployment, administration and security.
Angela Ashenden, Senior Analyst at Ovum, said:
"This release is an interesting development in the convergence between consumer search and enterprise search, and highlights Google's efforts to extend its strong brand into the corporate arena. Google has been quick to identify this opportunity, and is exploiting its existing enterprise presence through integration with its Google Search Appliance and Google Mini products, as well as - of course - Google.com. The company has also struck a cunning balance between ensuring a strong take-up while also generating revenue from the venture. While the tool itself is available as a free download, Google is offering a premium support package at $10k for 1,000 users, which will provide both online and direct technical support, as well as user forums and software update notifications.
This product is likely to see some success, particularly in the SME market where Google is already focusing with its Google Mini product, and will also reinforce the head start that the company has made over web search rival Microsoft in owning the increasingly commoditised low-end enterprise search market. The strategy also goes to show that Google is more aware of the wants and needs of the enterprise market than many of the established search vendors in this space would like to think. Time for a shake up!"
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