Information Management Best Practices: The Future of Federated Search

Federated search goes beyond searching the open web a la Google to include subscription-based content in a variety of databases. This report examines what federated search is and how it has evolved, and makes recommendations for information managers who want to offer their users more valuable search tools. It provides:

- A definition of federated search and its relationship with enterprise search;
- Examples of 12 companies providing federated search and the products they offer;
- Data on the time knowledge workers spend using external information;
- Analysis of the advantages of federated search, and why federated search players do not view Google as a threat;
- Imperatives for information managers who want to demonstrate value by leading federated search initiatives in the enterprise.