WebFeat Launches Industry’s First Automated Federated Search Engine

WebFeat Express version 2.1 automates system configuration and administration

Old Brookville, NY, February 28, 2007— WebFeat announced today that it has launched the industry’s first automated federated search engine. WebFeat Express version 2.1 enables libraries to configure their WebFeat federated search engines in minutes using the latest release of the WebFeat Administrative Console (WAC).

Using the WebFeat Administrative Console (WAC), librarians can easily select databases for inclusion in their WebFeat system, as well as their own library catalog and remote user authentication. WAC now automatically configures the library’s WebFeat system—performing any required handshake with the library’s content providers. Libraries may obtain access to WAC to configure their own WebFeat Express system for evaluation at http://webfeat.org/products/nohassle_trial.asp.

The latest release of the WebFeat Administrative Console offers a variety of impressive new features. In addition to the ability to quickly and easily manage database menus, subject categories, and authentication, WAC provides administrators with a powerful toolkit for customizing and branding user interfaces. These include a choice of search and results interfaces that can easily be branded with logos and library colors, as well as the ability to paste custom library HTML headers, footers and menu bars to seamlessly integrate WebFeat interfaces with existing library web pages. WebFeat Express “Quicksearch” search boxes may also be pasted into any library webpage for further integration.

WebFeat Express is powered by WebFeat’s patented federated search technology and supports over 6,000 databases, enabling it to search virtually any searchable database or catalog. WebFeat enables library patrons to search any or all of a library’s electronic resources from a single intuitive interface. WebFeat is also compatible with all standard authentication protocols, enabling library administrators to easily configure authentication for in-library and remote users.

"With the latest release of WebFeat Express, WebFeat has created the first truly no-hassle federated search experience," commented Todd Miller, President of WebFeat.

Any library wishing to trial WebFeat Express, or to learn more about WebFeat Express features, may do so via this link: http://webfeat.org/products/nohassle_trial.asp

About WebFeat
WebFeat (U.S. patent #6,807,539) is the developer of the WEBFEAT™ and WebFeat Express™ Search Prisms, used by over 5,000 leading public, academic, government and Global 1000 libraries and information centers—including over half of the 20 largest U.S. public libraries, 16 statewide library systems, and 2 out of every 10 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions.

WebFeat offers next-generation federated search tools to meet the needs of any library. Products include: The WebFeat Custom and WebFeat Express search prisms, WebFeat Enterprise Edition for multi-library networks and SMART™, WebFeat’s usage tracker. The WebFeat Express International Edition supports 7 languages, enabling users to dynamically change language displays. Originally founded in 1992 as an information technology consultancy, WebFeat has earned industry recognition from leading organizations such as Library Journal and the Gartner Group. Learn more about WebFeat at http://www.webfeat.org.