For further information contact:
Ph: +61 2 6229 1710
Fax: +61 2 6229 1711
Internet & Enterprise Search
Email: sales@funnelback.com
Web: www.funnelback.com
The Fluster Clustering Engine
The Fluster clustering engine provides users with a road-sign style navigation panel to
What is it?
rapidly discover all topics related to their search query. Good search engines are able to
accurately rank search results based on how useful they are likely to be to the end-user.
However, large search result lists often do not reveal the many sub-topics and themes
present within the result list. Fluster brings to light these sub-topics by presenting them
to users as suggestions for refining their query. This enables users of all levels to explore
vast volumes of content more efficiently and intuitively.
Added value The key goals of web site marketing are to enable users to quickly find sought after
information and to discover other information that may also be of interest. Fluster assists
to your search
users to target desired information by enabling navigation to the most effective query,
and also assists with finding other information by suggesting products, services and
information that relate to the query. This allows users to discover the depth and breadth
of the web site, database or file share, thus increasing their chance of learning about
other products and services. The net result of this is increased online sales, information
discoverability and/or employee productivity.

For further information contact:
Ph: +61 2 6229 1710
Fax: +61 2 6229 1711
Internet & Enterprise Search
Email: sales@funnelback.com
Web: www.funnelback.com
The Fluster Clustering Engine
How does Fluster work? Fluster works by performing an on-the-fly analysis of an extended set of search result
summaries at query time. Commonly occurring phrases that meet certain criteria are
presented along-side the search results, as suggestions for query refinement. Clicking on
a suggestion reveals the search results for that suggestion and a new set of suggestions
for further refining the query.
Key points of value Information Discoverability Simple setup process and no ongoing
maintenance
Better online sales, employee productivity Requires no initial tuning or ongoing
and policy & program outcomes. maintenance. It all happens on-the-fly.
Uses the high quality clustering algorithm Default user interface templates make
developed by Funnelback. customisation simple.
Ability to cluster on any metadata or Flexible interface design
database field. For example, a library Supports a fully customisable user
catalogue search service could cluster by interface for seamless web site integration.
author, year published and genre.
Ability to sort alphabetically by cluster
Ability to cluster on web sites or content name or sort by cluster prominence.
within web sites.
Ability to allow users to increase and
Unlike many clustering engines, Fluster decrease the number of displayed clusters.
enables users to iteratively drill down
into more precise queries. For example, Configurable
on a bank web site the query ‘rates’ may Hard-coded clusters can be added or
produce an ‘interest rates’ cluster. Clicking removed at will.
this cluster produces a new set of clusters
such as ‘term deposit interest rate’ and Simple rules can be applied to suppress
‘variable interest rates’. unwanted clusters.
In addition to drilling down into more
focused queries, Fluster also exposes
related products, services and information
resulting in increased online sales and/or
employee productivity.