I have written about MarkLogic before (see MarkLogic Extends its XML Server) on this blog.  Recently, I connected with them again and discussed their launch of a cloud-based information infrastructure to help users make sense of structured and unstructured data. They offer  MarkLogic Server on virtualized platforms to enable both private cloud deployments using VMware, for example, as well as  public cloud  through Amazon EC2.

With search-engine capabilities built, customers can run queries on metadata, as well as documents. They gave me an example of this dual capability through a medical journal publisher. You can look for articles on topics, as well as by title and author. You can narrow down the search to cover a certain drug used in a certain location to address a certain issue that has been cited by five or more other journals and/or prompted five or more letters to the journal editor. This is an impressive ability to create specific search efforts.

MarkLogic initially focused on the media and publishing market beginning in 2004. They added government in 2007 and are now expanding into financial services. One of the interesting sites they support is the Warrior Gateway that supports returning veterans. This is a great cause and it provides much needed and well deserved support.  The site provides a directory, job search information, offers a blog and Twitter updates, along with other services. Returning vets can register and join the community. They can find service providers such as medical professionals and comment and rate these service providers. Below is a subset of the Warrior Gateway home page

MarkLogic has five common uses cases. First, there is providing a common repository such as the medical journal publishing firm mentioned above. Second, it is used as a metadata catalog. The National Archives and the Library of Congress are examples here.  Third, it can be used for digital content delivery. In this instance it can separate storage from delivery to accommodate a variety of devices. Fourth, it can provide intelligence about the content. In this case it can combine heterogeneous content and look at trends. A fifth case is social applications such as the Warrior Gateway.

Here is another example. The Springer database is a growing collection of unusual content including drawings, photos, tables, charts, histograms, and figures. MarkLogic Server enables users to search many parameters such as captions, references to the images, and user-generated keywords. Springer Images leverages the full-text search, content enrichment, and faceted navigation capabilities of MarkLogic Server, providing a new way to access hard-to-find scientific content of the utmost value to researchers. Here is a sample screen for the Springer application.

MarkLogic is continuing to invest in its product offerings with a focus on lowering the cost of adoption/operation for customers, adding additional enterprise data management capabilities and provide more refinement capabilities around search results.  The firm is expanding and recently received a CODiE award for  best database management system for the second year in a row. Their CEO, Dave Kellogg, writes the Kellblog, “covering next-generation database management, enterprise search, and content management technologies along with commentary on Silicon Valley, venture capital, and the business of software” I like their use cases and look forward to hearing more.