Search Sophistication

Crotty says the One Step platform from Cambridge, MA-based iPhrase Technologies stood out from the rest.

“They clearly understood our needs, and were able to customize the program for our boutique-style business,” he notes.

One Step offers natural language processing and multi-source retrieval. Crotty offers an example of what the new system can do: “Type in ‘leather handbags.’ This will bring up search results grouped by designer. The shopper can refine the search in various ways within the designer, for instance, by color or price. Or a shopper can specify the size — for example, Prada shoes, size 8. Then she’ll see what’s available in her size and in stock.”