So you’re interested in getting started with enterprise search software. 

How do you know what tool is the best investment?

In this article, we’ll help you make your decision by covering 12 considerations and comparing 5 different enterprise search software tools. 

The purpose of enterprise search software

Information is the lifeblood of every organization. However, the sheer volume of data can often feel overwhelming, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. 

Enterprise search software enables users to quickly and easily find the work information they need, simply using a search bar. Whether it’s locating critical documents, analyzing customer feedback, or accessing internal knowledge bases, enterprise search software empowers teams to take decisive action.

This can save businesses time and money, and can also help to improve decision-making and collaboration.

How to select the best enterprise search software

Life is too short to invest in the wrong SaaS tools. 

Here are the top 12 things to consider when selecting the best enterprise search software for your company. We’ll also compare some of the top tools and their offerings. 

1. Real-time indexing 
2. Integration with your unique tech stack 
3. Security standards 
4. Advanced generative AI 
5. Competitive pricing 
6. Bundles productivity tools 
7. Analytics and reporting 
8. Mobile accessibility 
9. Scalability 
10. Customer support and reputation 
11. User-friendly interface 
12. Customization options

1. Real-time indexing

Real-time indexing or near-real-time indexing is crucial for ensuring that your search results reflect the most current information available within your organization. 

Look for a tool that offers efficient indexing mechanisms capable of continuously updating the search index as new data is added or modified. This ensures that users have access to the latest information, improving decision-making and productivity across the organization.

Data Indexed in Real Time
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

2. Integration with your unique tech stack

Integration capabilities are key when selecting an enterprise search engine. Evaluate how well the tool integrates with your existing tech stack, including enterprise applications, databases, cloud storage solutions, and collaboration platforms. 

Seamless integration enables users to access information from multiple data sources through a unified search interface, eliminating silos and enhancing cross-functional collaboration.

100+ Data Integrations
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

3. Security standards

Security is a top priority when it comes to enterprise search software. Ensure the tool adheres to industry-standard security protocols and compliance regulations to protect sensitive data and mitigate cybersecurity risks. Look for features such as data encryption, access controls, role-based permissions, audit trails, and compliance certifications (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) to safeguard your organization’s valuable information assets.

Non-indexed private data
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	✅ Dashworks	✅ Qatalog

Soc 2 Type II Certified & GDPR Compliant
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	❌ Guru	✅ Dashworks	✅ Qatalog

SSO & Permission Aware Access
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	✅ Guru	✅ Dashworks	✅ Qatalog

Bring Your Own Cloud  or Integrate your own LLM API key
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

4. Advanced generative AI

When considering enterprise search software, prioritize platforms that harness advanced generative AI capabilities. Beyond traditional search algorithms, look for features such as a custom GPT builder, which enables organizations to train their own artificial intelligence models tailored to their specific needs and industry jargon. 

Additionally, seek out search platforms that offer a workplace assistant chatbot powered by AI, capable of understanding natural language queries, providing contextual responses. 

Explore solutions that also leverage multimodal AI technologies, allowing users to search for information using not just text but also images, audio, and video. By embracing advanced generative AI, organizations can unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and innovation in their knowledge management workflows.

Custom Chat GPT Builder
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

Built-in GenAI Chatbot (at no additional cost)
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	✅ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

Multimodal AI
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

5. Competitive pricing

While cost is always a consideration, it’s essential to balance affordability with value when selecting enterprise search software. Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including upfront licensing fees, implementation costs, ongoing maintenance fees, and potential scalability expenses. 

Consider factors such as pricing models (e.g., per-user, per-search, subscription-based), contract terms, and return on investment (ROI) to ensure that the chosen tool provides the best value for your organization’s budget.

High Functionality, Low Cost
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

6. Bundled productivity tools

Consider opting for a tool that bundles with other productivity tools or integrates with complementary software solutions to maximize value and streamline workflows. Look for features such as built-in collaboration tools, project management integrations, or business intelligence dashboards to enhance the functionality and usability of the enterprise search software. 

With GoLinks, for example, enterprise search tools can take productivity to the next level by recommending relevant go links based on users’ search queries. These go links, known for their simplicity and memorability, enable employees to effortlessly access and share resources without the need for manual effort.

For frequently accessed resources, go links provide the easiest and most efficient means of retrieval and sharing among teammates. When paired with enterprise search, they facilitate seamless access to information, streamline collaboration, and drive productivity gains across the organization.

Offers Go Links
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

7. Analytics and reporting

Comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities are indispensable for gaining actionable insights into search usage patterns, user behavior, and content performance within your organization. However, it’s not just about providing analytics for administrators; it’s about democratizing data insights so everyone in the company can benefit.

Look for enterprise search software solutions like GoSearch that offer analytics dashboards accessible to all users. These dashboards display valuable metrics such as popular search queries, resource usage statistics, and trending topics. 

By making analytics available to everyone, not just admins, organizations foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and empower employees at all levels to optimize their search experiences and contribute to organizational success. 

Analytics The Whole Company Can Use
✅ GoSearch	❌ Glean	❌ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

8. Mobile accessibility

In today’s mobile-centric world, mobile accessibility is no longer a luxury but a necessity for enterprise software solutions. Consider the availability of mobile apps or responsive web interfaces that enable users to access enterprise search functionality on-the-go, across devices and platforms. Mobile accessibility empowers employees to stay productive and connected, regardless of their location or device, facilitating collaboration, decision-making, and knowledge sharing in real-time.

Mobile Accessibility
✅ GoSearch	✅ Glean	✅ Guru	❌ Dashworks	❌ Qatalog

9. Scalability

Scalability is critical to accommodate the growing needs of your organization as it expands and evolves over time. Choose a tool that can scale seamlessly to support increasing volumes of data, users, and concurrent searches without compromising performance or user experience. Consider factors such as scalability architecture, performance benchmarks, scalability testing, and customer success stories to ensure the selected tool can grow with your organization’s requirements and demands.

10. Customer support and reputation

The vendor’s support and reputation play a significant role in the success of your enterprise search implementation. Research the vendor’s track record for customer support, reliability, and innovation to ensure a positive long-term partnership. 

Look for vendor responsiveness, technical expertise, customer satisfaction ratings, industry awards, and customer references to gauge the vendor’s credibility and commitment to customer success. A reputable vendor with a strong support infrastructure can provide invaluable assistance throughout the implementation, deployment, and ongoing usage of the enterprise search software.

11. User-friendly interface

Usability is key to the successful adoption and utilization of enterprise search software within your organization. Choose a tool with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for employees to search, navigate, and discover information effectively. 

Look for features such as autocomplete suggestions, faceted search filters, relevance feedback mechanisms, and rich multimedia previews to enhance the search experience and drive user engagement.

12. Customization options

Every organization is unique, with specific requirements and preferences when it comes to enterprise search. Select a tool that offers ample customization options, allowing you to tailor the search experience to meet your organization’s specific needs and workflows. 

Look for features such as customizable search interfaces, configurable relevance models, user-defined metadata fields, and customizable search result layouts to adapt the software to your organization’s requirements seamlessly.

Enterprise search software tool examples 

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of what to look for in enterprise search solutions, let’s explore the five solutions compared above:

GoSearch 

GoSearch is an AI enterprise search tool that streamlines knowledge discovery and boosts workplace productivity. This tool offers a suite of features, including unified search, generative AI-driven assistance, interactive chat functionality, search analytics, and robust enterprise security. 

Its advanced capabilities in analyzing both structured and unstructured data through natural language processing ensure users receive the most accurate and up-to-date search results. 

Glean 

Glean’s is an AI search platform designed to simplify information retrieval in the workplace. It offers advanced search capabilities and a user-friendly interface. 

Guru 

Guru enterprise search gives teams access to verified information and expertise and facilitates the capture, organization, and sharing of knowledge. 

Dashworks

Dashworks offers features like content aggregation and search optimization, helping teams to locate and access relevant resources, documents, and expertise. 

Qatalog

Qatalog is a unified workspace that integrates organizational knowledge, communication, and collaboration tools. 

Getting started with enterprise search software

Selecting the best enterprise search software for your organization is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration of various factors. By following these twelve steps and evaluating key criteria, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your organization’s needs and goals. 

Ready to try enterprise search out? Schedule a GoSearch demo today and take the first step.