Search Engine Framework Routing for Enterprise Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex enterprise computing systems, integrating software applications from different vendors with search engine functionality is costly and time-consuming, leading to separate operations that hinder timely and efficient information retrieval in applications like customer interaction centers.
Innovation Solution
A framework that enables easy integration of software applications with search engines, allowing user requests to be routed to the appropriate search engine for content retrieval from knowledge bases, using a search engine framework with plug-ins and a configuration database to manage mappings between applications, knowledge bases, and search engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software applications from different vendors are integrated with search engine functionality, then comprehensive search capabilities are achieved, but integration cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the integration problem by introducing a framework layer that separates application-specific search requests from search engine-specific operations. The framework contains multiple adapters, each handling a specific vendor's search engine interface, allowing applications to interact with search functionality through a unified interface without direct integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework acts as an intermediary between software applications and search engines from different vendors. It provides a standardized interface for applications to submit search requests and receives results in a uniform format, while internally routing requests to the appropriate search engine adapter, thereby eliminating the need for applications to directly integrate with each search engine's proprietary interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If software applications operate separately from search engines, then integration cost is reduced, but user efficiency and timeliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The framework provides universal search functionality that can serve multiple different software applications through a common interface. Rather than requiring separate integration for each application-search engine pair, the framework's standardized adapter mechanism allows any application to access any search engine through the same interface, maintaining low integration costs while enabling efficient unified search operations.
3Reliability
If users switch between separate applications for search and content management, then application functionality is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The framework merges the search functionality with the software application interface by providing integrated search capabilities within the application environment. Users can initiate and receive search results directly within their application context without switching to a separate search engine application, thereby eliminating switching time while preserving the reliability and functionality of both the application and search engine through the framework's coordination layer.
Data Source
AI summary
One implementation provides a method included in performing a computer-implemented search of electronically stored content. The method includes receiving from one of multiple software applications an input indicating a user request that a computer-implemented search be performed to identify content that, firstly, is stored in a specified one of multiple knowledge bases, and secondly, satisfies user-specified conditions. The method further includes determining which one of multiple search engines has been preconfigured to be used for searches involving the one software application from which the search request input was received and the selected one knowledge base, and initiating the requested search to be executed by the determined search engine.