Tech Reports

ULCS-08-001

QuestSemantics - Intelligent Search and Retrieval of Business Knowledge

I. Blacoe, L. Ianonne, I. Palmisano and V. Tamma


Abstract

Keyword-based search engines, though hugely popular, are limited when trying to answer very specific queries. The processing of search results is performed by users, rather than the software. Ontologies provide a means to create formal, machine-processable descriptions of the knowledge in a certain domain, and by using elements of these descriptions to annotate suitable information sources, they can be analysed and manipulated in an intelligent manner. Our QuestSemantics platform provides automated, ontology-based metadata creation and resource annotation, with subsequent ontology-based querying of the annotated resources. This platform has been deployed in two commercial scenarios, providing useful feedback on both the feasibility and effectiveness of applying semantic web technologies to specific business problems.

[Full Paper]