CMS Watch comments on Ontolica 2010 and the consequences of the new functionality-gap in Sharepoint 2010.
Ontolica 2010 is SurfRay's strategic answer to the next generation of Sharepoint search challenges. Adrian Bloom of CMS watch received an early briefing on the SurfRay strategy, the new product, and how the company intends to adapt to the new world of Sharepoint 2010. While the full version of the CMS watch report is availlable to CMS Watch Search & Information Access subscribers, his blog post runs through the perspectives of the new product for Sharepoint Search users.
He notes that the key challenge faced by all ISVs operating in the SharePoint space is how the new version will change the playing field. SurfRay has adapted to this by pushing hard for compatabililty with SharePoint 2010, and to deliver new and powerful search functionalities straight of the box.
The reason for this is simple, as Adrian recognises: there is a functionality gap in SharePoint 2010. While cosmetic improvements have been made, Adrian points to the fact there is still a functionality gap, and notes that "SurfRay is certainly positioning the product in exactly the gap Microsoft's coming line-up is leaving."
In summary, he draws attention to the core strategic decision in the Ontolica product line, to provide "...many of the modern search interface features that SharePoint lacks, without adding all of the complexity of a FAST server."
Ontolica 2010 and the Preview Module are due for general availlability in the first quarter of 2010, with a Solution Pack for SharePoint 2010 released in parallel with Microsoft.
You can view a highlight-video for Ontolica 2010, here, and read Adrian's original blog post, here.