Every year, while I know winter comes, I am always somewhat taken back by its inevitable arrival. So too is true of the Google Search Appliance (GSA) wind down. The enviable wind down has begun, winter has arrived.
Given more than two years to find an alternative solution, the time to moved to a new platform is now. Waiting until your GSA license later this year puts you at risk for the following:
1 – Unknown Unknowns
Even the simplest project can have unknown issues come up. Some of these can be as simple as when the Change Management Board meets. These can stretch out your project and delay your eventual cut over.
Additionally, there typically is more planning required to implement a replacement technology. What could be done on the GSA can take factors time more. Relevancy typically doesn’t not work as well out of the box but will after some simply tuning is completed. Not having experience with the platform means you should consider that into your schedule.
We’ve experienced unexpected at all stages of the process and it’s fairly typical. Remember, the Google Search Appliance is going to shut down. Many customers still do not realize that.
2 – Other Priorities
Two years ago, not many people had changing their search technology on their 2018 plans. Given this, there are other priorities and projects that will drain resourcing and focus. The sooner you can re-platform the less risk you have to the level your resources and focus on the priorities.
3 – Lack of Resources
There are thousands of re-platformings happening this year. Give this fact and the general lack of available resources means that you’ll be competing for experienced talent. The longer you wait to begin, the smaller the pool of available resources.
As a general rule, I say that it shouldn’t take you longer to procure the technology than to implement it. If it takes you weeks to purchase the software, then you should expect weeks to implement it.
