The new version also allows content to be fed into the system using XML files. It also allows content to be ingested via web services.

"The ability to import custom security is a real differentiator for us," John says. "A lot of search engines can't deal with that."

He says that so far the technology has been delivered as an appliance but will soon be able to be fully embedded in a solution.

"We're talking to a large integrator about putting SYL into the cloud as we head to Version 2.0."There is a programme of work scheduled for the next six to eight months to deliver the new version."We are continuing to concentrate on scalability and enhanced features of functionality to natural language processing," Wilson says.

"The key is that SYL does things the enterprise expects. It is smart, practical and highly geared toward the enterprise."