I was recently asked to compare Microsoft Search (FAST / SharePoint Search) to Google’s Search Appliance Version 6.8. Both companies have solid search technology, but they are approaching the market very differently. This is reflected in their products making each better suited for specific types of search deployments.

Google shook up the Enterprise Search market back in 2002. The intent was to provide the market with a search solution that was easy to install and maintain. Surveys had revealed that generally speaking, users were not very happy with Enterprise Search. Google saw this as an opportunity to introduce a simpler search product. With the wind of Google’s strong brand at its back, the message resonated and Google quickly gained market share. By 2006 they had gotten close to entering the visionary Quad of Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Information Access.