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Search Integration API Overview

Siebel Search can be integrated with a third-party search engine by implementing the Search integration API (application programming interface). Use the API method reference to build an adapter to integrate with a third-party search engine. All arguments passed between the Siebel application and the third-party adapter are in XML format. The communication format between the third-party adapter and search engine is not predetermined.

When a third-party adapter has been implemented it must be enabled in Siebel Tools and in the Siebel Search Administration UI, see Integrating a Third-Party Search Adapter with a Siebel Application.

A third-party implementation of the Search API will be comprised of the following elements outlined in Figure 2:

• Third-Party search adapter. A third-party implementation of the Search Open API to integrate a Siebel application and a third-party search engine.
• Siebel application. Creates the XML feed files which are input into the index operation. The Siebel application sends the index request and search query to the third-party search engine through the adapter's InvokeMethod.
• InvokeMethod. All Search API operations, including validation, index, and search operations, are called through InvokeMethod. All arguments passed between the Siebel application and InvokeMethod are in XML format.
• Third-Party search engine. Consumes the XML feed files from the Siebel application, processes the index and search operations, and returns the search results to the Siebel application.

Figure 2. Third-Party Search Adapter Implementation