Database-centric systems, such as Teratext and Intelligenx. "Because of this, these systems are adept at handling data management, content repurposing, and generating reports from the content that reside in the system's database," he wrote.

Companies involved in "deep analysis" of content, which include Attensity and Siderean Software. "The use of multiple processes in iterative cascades point to the direction search and content processing is moving. Simple key word indexing is a Model-T Ford to these vendors' finely tuned machines."

"Tools" companies like SchemaLogic sell software that helps customers organize and prepare their content to be searched, according to Arnold. "Most licensees of search systems don't know what they don't know," he wrote. "Once you have some experience with behind-the-firewall search, you have a better understanding of the importance of controlling and managing metadata."

There are also "building block," "linguistic processing," and "pattern analysis" vendors, Arnold wrote.

Though a plethora of companies are vying for market share, there may be plenty to go around. Analyst firm Gartner recently predicted search technology will locate and analyze more than 90 percent of the data in more than half of the Global 2000 by the end of 2012.

Some observers point to Microsoft's FAST purchase as an indication the market had reached a sort of tipping point.

Microsoft's plans for FAST are still in their beginning stages. Initially, its SharePoint collaboration platform will serve as "a center of gravity," said Jared Spataro, a company spokesman.

He indicated that Microsoft, which has tried but so far failed to buy Yahoo, partly to boost its hand in Web search, will embed enterprise search throughout its products: "Search will be everywhere in the future. Every application interface."

"If I were to point to any one thing, it's that search is still a new and emerging market," Spataro said. "The real opportunity for us is that there's more green-field than anything."

It is an apt observation in light of the reality within enterprises today. Companies that agreed to speak about their implementations revealed that while the basic work of indexing content and providing internal users with search results is well under way, it could be years before they tap the capabilities described by Creese and others.

Honeywell's transportation systems division was an early adopter of Google's Search Appliance, which replaced a limited, older search tool, said Jerry Ibrahim, director of IT for emerging technologies and innovation.

The company was drawn to Google's offering because it is appliance-based and installation was "a breeze." It used homegrown tools to integrate with various data sources and applications and now is experimenting with Google's OneBox API for making those connections, he said.