[tdonj]

Hello all,

We are looking to upgrade multiple sites from 2.2 to 3.X, but have concerns about the lack of a good built-in search function.

When it comes to search, the only thing that makes our 2.2 CS-Cart sites usable is QuickSearch. If that feature is truly going away in 3.X, and our only alternative is to use Searchanise, I'm really hoping that the basic search function has been improved. As it stands (without even a basic ranking algorithm), its results are useless.

In skimming over the limited information available about Searchanise, I'm not even sure we can legally install it because of our company's Privacy Policy. In addition to questions about how Searchanise violates our users' privacy, we have serious business-related concerns about moving navigation and search off our servers.

Does anyone know of a good Addon which brings improved search functionality? If Simbrisk refuses to improve the search feature of its cart (a *Service* is not a *Feature*), hopefully someone will take up the cause and provide an Addon which keeps the cart usable.

To boil this town to questions:

1) Where is the detailed information about Searchanise and what it does/doesn't do?
2) Is there an Addon (or a planned Sddon) which will restore/improve QuickSearch or the basic search function of CS-Cart.

[clips]

This is one of two biggest things that is holding me back. I just do not like searchanise.

[SaFF]

I dont like searchanise too. Need a feature for this.

[JohnCarroll]

I dont like searchanise too. Need a feature for this.

Shippingkit has a free auto suggest addon see here: https://www.shipping...wnloads&_a=view

John

[clips]

Shippingkit has a free auto suggest addon see here: https://www.shipping...wnloads&_a=view

John

But those don't show they are for CS3. Did they create a version some place else?

[JohnCarroll]

But those don't show they are for CS3. Did they create a version some place else?

click on "more files" and it will bring up the CS-cart V3 files

john

[clips]

click on "more files" and it will bring up the CS-cart V3 files

john

Nice. We use their search now.

[gabbo]

Great.. Where can I see it "live"?

[tdonj]

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. I'll definitely look into that Addon.

If what I've read is true, Searchanise utilizes Apache Solr as the search engine. If this is the case, I can begin to see why including it with CS-Cart would be difficult: Solr is a separate installation which requires setup and maintenance, and Simbrisk (rightly) would have no interest in dealing with those headaches for all of its customers.

However, without any real info from the company, we're left to wonder what the (sinister?) reasons are for this change. Perhaps they've explained it and I just missed it.

Another thought: does anyone know if the Searchanise code can be adapted to work with a local instance of Solr? If so, this would bring the power and convenience of improved searching without the reliance on external servers.

[Magpie Don]

Shippingkit has a free auto suggest addon see here: https://www.shipping...wnloads&_a=view

John

Thanks for posting this. This is exactly what I was looking for! Great addon.

[Jimmystunts]

After I download the shipping kit addon, how do I upload the addon to my site?

[P-Pharma]

It would be nice to see a sphinx search plugin. This would bring fast and highly accurate search results: http://sphinxsearch.com/

[kmolchanov]

It would be nice to see a sphinx search plugin. This would bring fast and highly accurate search results: http://sphinxsearch.com/

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. I'll definitely look into that Addon.

If what I've read is true, Searchanise utilizes Apache Solr as the search engine.

Hi,

Searchanise uses Sphinx on backend as its search engine, so the search results are fast and relevant.

Since all the search routine is processed remotely, on the Searchanise servers, it can dramatically decrease your server load—search requests are among the most frequently executed in any online shop.

Also, Searchanise provides an instant search widget (aka "search-as-you-type").

You can read more about Searchanise at docs.searchanise.com

Enjoy faster search with Searchanise!

[P-Pharma]

Since all the search routine is processed remotely, on the Searchanise servers, it can dramatically decrease your server load—search requests are among the most frequently executed in any online shop.

This is the part that I do not get. Sphinx already dramatically decreases server load. So why not just run it from my servers? Is this possible?

[kmolchanov]

This is the part that I do not get. Sphinx already dramatically decreases server load. So why not just run it from my servers? Is this possible?

Yes, Sphinx can really lower server load.


You should realize though that Sphinx is a full-fledged server software which requires full access to server to install and set up. Such access is usually provided only on dedicated hosting servers, with prices starting at $50 per month. This is often not affordable for small online shop owners.

Also, properly installing and setting up Sphinx requires a certain technical knowledge level. This is another reason why Sphinx cannot be widely used.

These are the reasons we started the Searchanise project in the first place. Searchanise utilizes the power of Sphinx and easiness of the SaaS model to provide any store with fast and quality search. Searchanise processes all search requests and completely takes the search load from a store.

With all that said, Searchanise search service and instant search widget are, and will remain, free. It is the basic concept of the service.

If you have any suggestions about how we could improve Searchanise, we are always happy to get your feedback at feedback@searchanise.com.

[whdcoinc]

With all that said, Searchanise search service and instant search widget are, and will remain, free. It is the basic concept of the service.

If you have any suggestions about how we could improve Searchanise, we are always happy to get your feedback at feedback@searchanise.com.

 

I realize this post is a couple years old, but apparently Searchanise is NOT free and did not remain free after all. Unless you sell less than 25 products in your store.

[The Tool]

LMAO.  I reckon CSC is taking pointers from the Obama administration.?

[P-Pharma]

You should realize though that Sphinx is a full-fledged server software which requires full access to server to install and set up. Such access is usually provided only on dedicated hosting servers, with prices starting at $50 per month. This is often not affordable for small online shop owners.

CS-Cart with multiple storefront costs a similar amount so its perfectly affordable for commercial vendors. Especially as it reduces hosting costs. searchanize is not cheap either with up to 189 a month. .

Also, properly installing and setting up Sphinx requires a certain technical knowledge level. This is another reason why Sphinx cannot be widely used.

The host can install Sphinx search or elastic search for people.

I just dont like adding a cloud based search to my sites. I prefer to have control.

[natewallis]

Looking at installing SOLR on a separate instance and using that.... doesn't look too hard and the default configuration will probably return better results.   I think a dedicated micro instance would probably do a good job of this. 

 

I think the key to providing the best results is to find out how your users are currently searching on your site and what phrases they are using.   This will give you a good idea on what terms to configure the system for.

 

I am also thinking of ElasticSearch but I don't think its configuration is as flexible as SOLR

 

Good luck... 

[ThomH]

Good alternative to Searchanise: Suggestive Search