dbConnector
dbConnector serves as a developer bridge between dtSearch, ODBC-compliant databases such as SQL, and unstructured document data. In fact, dbConnector makes connecting dtSearch with SQL databases and associated document data as easy as clicking through a wizard.

Database-driven Web searches are oriented towards locating exact information that is neatly organized into database fields. Examples might be inventory stock information or payroll detail. Structured queries can locate exact data housed in a database’s rows and columns. But such structured queries can overlook textual information like product specifications, product reviews, or employee evaluations, not ‘indexed’ or catalogued by the database.

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Click on image to enlarge

The challenge is integrating database and full-text information as one repository so that search results embody the depth and breadth of corporate information. Enter dbConnector. dbConnector brings structure to unstructured data. The end result allows searchers to take a structured query approach to unstructured information, thereby providing new opportunities for enhanced business intelligence.

“dbConnector generates a rich searchable dtSearch index with integrated database information from corporate databases,” said Greg Bean, president, Cybergoup. “dbConnector interfaces to your database of choice through an ODBC connection and runs as a desktop application to generate a searchable index. dbConnector further allows the developer to quickly define the relationship between unstructured files (such as MS Word documents, PDF documents, and Web pages) and any ODBC-compliant database (SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, etc).”

dbIndexer
For those projects where a developer simply desires to apply the power of dtSearch to database text columns, Cybergroup offers dbIndexer “dtSearch, by design, is a great product for indexing a variety of document types,” explained Mr. Bean. “However, many developers are tasked with indexing text columns in a database and don't need to index documents. They want a ‘database-only’ index and search.”

“For example, a sample scenario might be where a developer has a database of job applicants and each record has a memo field with resume text. Or, a developer has a product database with each record containing product technical specifications in a large text field. For these database projects Cybergroup offers dbIndexer.”

Explaining why he chose to integrate his new products with the dtSearch Engine, Mr. Bean said: “dtSearch lives up to its reputation as the most powerful search engine on the market. We found that not only was dtSearch searching powerful, including such features as fuzzy searching and relevance ranking, but dtSearch also supported a wide range of file formats.” In sum, “Combining our add-on products with dtSearch provides a powerful means to bring structure to unstructured information.”

Customer response to Cybergroup's add-on applications to dtSearch have been excellent. A UK staffing company purchased dbIndexer and dtSearch to provide a portal that gives direct access to their in-house recruitment database to external clients. The staffing company's reaction: "I just wanted to let you know I have successfully indexed about 28,000 CVs in our Blob, and have successfully searched them, with keywords highlighted. dtSearch found the keywords, displayed the text in the screen below AND highlighted the keywords. There was a round of applause in the office! This is exactly what I was trying to achieve, out of the box, so I am very pleased and grateful.”

A large international standards agency licensed dbIndexer to augment dtSearch and achieved similar results: “We are testing and implementing a major search function for one of our divisions and we find this product to be very good. Using the trial version we indexed some of our SQL Server databases and I found the ability to customize our dtSearch search results and views based on those index results to be very neat. Small learning curve but once it becomes understood the power this thing possesses is awesome.”

For more information on dbConnector or dbIndexer, please email info@cybergroup.com, call Cybergroup at (410) 455-5680, or visit Cybergroup online at www.cybergroup.com.