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Glossary

Federated Search

Federated search is a search query carried out across multiple repositories, indexes, and/or applications.
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Federated search is a search process that spans across multiple repositories, indexes, databases, or applications. It allows users to search for information from various sources simultaneously, retrieving results from disparate systems within a single search query.

How does Federated search work?

Federated search sends a user’s query to multiple, often heterogeneous, sources or databases in real time. These sources could include databases, websites, intranet portals, or other information repositories. The federated search system then aggregates and presents the results coherently to the user, regardless of the diverse formats or structures of the underlying data sources.

  • When your organization has information spread across various databases, platforms, or applications that are not interconnected.
  • When users must save time by searching multiple sources simultaneously rather than sequentially.
  • For research purposes, where a broad spectrum of information is necessary to draw meaningful conclusions.
  1. Select suitable sources: Identify the databases, indexes, or applications that hold the information users might need. These could be internal databases, external websites, or cloud-based applications.
  2. Implement a Federated search engine: Utilize federated search software or build a custom solution to communicate with the identified sources. This software should be capable of aggregating and presenting results cohesively.
  3. Define query mapping: Ensure that the search queries from users are mapped appropriately to the syntax and structure of each source to retrieve accurate results.
  4. Data presentation: Design an interface that uniformly presents results, regardless of the source. This often involves transforming various data formats into a standardized presentation format.

Conclusion

Federated search offers a powerful solution for organizations dealing with diverse data sources. Integrating multiple repositories and applications streamlines the search process, providing users with comprehensive, timely, and efficient access to information. Implementing federated search ensures that users can focus on utilizing information rather than spending excessive time searching for it, leading to increased productivity and informed decision-making.