- federated search portalFeatures and Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
| Provides a single intuitive search interface across a multitude of resources |
Saves users valuable research time by removing the need to learn and search multiple interfaces Ensures that use of resources is maximized by simplifying access |
| Supported by OCLC PICA’s comprehensive data integration toolkit | Ensures the widest possible choice of resources can be integrated into a single environment |
| Links to native search interfaces available | Gives users the option to switch to native search interface if required, to satisfy requirements of professional searchers using complex resources |
| Offers the facility to group resources into search profiles by subject, location, department or category | Personalises access for users by only presenting resources relevant to their research, work or studies |
| Integrates approved, quality resources | Ensures that users are guided to appropriate resources and are not drawn to simple web search engines for research |
| Collection descriptions which provide information on the resource or group of resources available to be searched | Reduces need for user education by providing online information to help users understand what resources have been selected for them |
| Provides a choice of searches from simple keyword to advanced and power search options |
Caters for all levels of user ability through a single interface Ensures that barriers to information access are removed for novice users whilst providing expert users with the level of search tools they expect |
| Displays results in a single integrated hit list, as soon as they are returned from any of the resources being searched | Ensures that users receive information quickly and are not discouraged by lengthy wait times |
| Offers users the ability to de-duplicate and sort results in the hit list | Enables users to refine their results by removing duplicate items and to sort results into their preferred order, e.g. by author or publication date |
| Provides direct access to electronically available content without the need for further authentication | Removes barriers to content by using a single user authentication on sign-in to provide access |
| Integrated with OCLC PICA’s OpenLinking technology, OL2 | Delivers more full-text, more of the time and maximizes ROI on e-journals |
| Offers users the ability to save search strategies and to access search history | Reduces time spent re-keying useful search strategies either saved as a saved search or run in the earlier part of a session |
| Ability to save individual results from the hit list which may then be requested, e-mailed or printed | Removes the need for users to copy down useful results by enabling users to ‘store’ individual results online as they are discovered |
| Enables users to create customised groups of resources for cross-searching | Provides knowledgeable users the option to decide which resources they prefer to search, rather than use a pre-defined group of resources selected by library and information staff |
| Choice of delivering as dedicated search portal, or embed single search into existing web applications | Library can set up a new web service or integrate into existing library home page, intranet, or CMS/MLE |
