Oracle Secure Enterprise Search 10g release 10.1.8 adds a bevy of new features including broader support for third-party data sources and directory servers, a more flexible security model, tighter integration with Oracle business applications, and federated search capabilities.
The main theme of the release, according to Andy Mendelsohn, senior vice president of database server technologies at Redwood Shores, California-based Oracle, is to broaden access to a wider range of enterprise information sources without compromising security.
The new release now drags additional sources like EMC Documentum’s Content Server DocBases, FileNet Corp’s Content Engine object stores and IBM Lotus Notes databases, Microsoft Exchange and Sharepoint and Open Text’s Livelink content management system into Oracle’s secure search environment.
Previously, Oracle Secure Enterprise Search worked exclusively with Oracle sources like its 10g database, portal, content database and E-Business application suite.
Oracle has also launched a new partner initiative around the product to encourage ISVs and systems integrators to embed the software into their products and solutions. One of the first companies to publicly endorse Oracle’s search product with tightened up integration is text mining provider Clarabridge Inc.
Existing Oracle E-Business Suite users will also benefit from more embedded search capabilities in their applications.
Support for third-party identity management directory systems, like Microsoft Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, Sun Java Systems Directory Server, and OpenLDAP, through new plug-ins also makes for a more extensible security model for user authentication.
The new Federated Search addition is provided via a Suggested Link tool that enables real-time searches across other enterprise search products including Google OneBox
The production version Oracle Secure Enterprise Search 10g 10.1.8, released this week, supports Linux, Windows and Unix. Oracle is offering a free evaluation version of the software that can be downloaded from its website.
When Oracle introduced its search engine in a year ago it claimed it is better suited for internal enterprise scenarios. The company boasted it had created the industry’s most secure search engine by introducing the notion of policy to enterprise search. Unlike other popular search engines, Oracle said its product differentiates results based on the users firing off the search queries.
In truth Oracle could provide this level of control because it worked mainly with Oracle data sources. With those sources now broadened, Oracle has accordingly extended its security model further.
