EPS Core Features

1. Search Query Processing

The search engine follows a structured eight-step process to refine and execute user queries.

Preprocessing the search term: normalization, stemming, stopword removal, and spelling corrections.
Direct Links: If a Direct Link exists, the user is redirected to a predefined URL.
Replacements & Synonyms: Checks if any replacements or synonyms should be applied.
Search Execution: Queries the Search Index, applies scoring, filtering, and ranking.
CutOff Limit: Determines the minimum relevance score for results to appear.
Result Merging & Ranking: Integrates business rules, availability, and filters before final output.

The system evaluates and ranks products based on multiple factors.

Relevance-based Scoring: Products start at 100 points, with deductions based on search field relevance.
Customizable Data Fields: Includes brand, categories, product groups, and colors with configurable penalty values.
Business Rule Influence: Adjusts rankings using Business Rule values and Rule Engine configurations.
Stock Availability Impact: Products are penalized or excluded based on stock levels.
Sorting & Filtering: Self-learning filters adapt based on user interaction and historical data.

The platform includes advanced features to optimize the search experience.

Query Reduction: Prevents zero-results searches by dynamically removing words from complex queries.
Spelling Correction: Detects and suggests correct spellings as synonyms.
Direct Link Management: Allows predefined search terms to redirect users to specific pages or product listings.
Replacement Mechanism: Enables custom replacements for ambiguous or suboptimal queries.
Synonym Handling: Supports bidirectional and monodirectional synonyms to improve query flexibility.

Filters and categories are customizable. They can also be auto-generated if the data model provides the necessary rules.

Self-Learning Filter Order: Filters are automatically ranked based on user behavior.
Filter Configurations: Controls the visibility, order, and behavior of filters in search results.
Filter List for SEO: Provides an exportable list of filter values and their corresponding SEO-friendly URLs.
Category Indexing Control: Allows specific categories to be excluded from the search index to prevent irrelevant matches.

Caching mechanisms ensure fast performance and real-time updates.

Page Cache: Stores pre-rendered JSON data for a full Search Engine Results Page (SERP), improving loading speed.
Result Cache: Caches search result IDs to minimize query processing time.
Suggest Cache: Stores autocomplete and suggestion data for instant query recommendations.
Live Data Reloads: Admins can reload master data instantly without waiting for nightly updates.

A robust backoffice interface allows admins to manage search, filters, and business logic.

User & Role Management: Supports multiple user roles (Admin, User, Read-Only User) with granular permissions.
Tenant Management: Manages multi-shop instances, including language-specific configurations.
Replacement & Link Validation: Weekly checker emails verify replacements and direct links.
Category & Product Group Taxonomy: Organizes product groups hierarchically for improved relevance and performance.
Blacklist Entries: Prevents specific terms from appearing in search results.

Admins can track system health, search performance, and potential issues.

Job & Cache Monitoring: Displays system-level technical logs for administrators.
Replacement & Direct Link Checkers: Automatically scans for broken links, missing replacements, and slow queries.
Search Statistics: Tracks zero-results queries, search frequency, and KPI-based ranking adjustments.

Enhances user experience with real-time search suggestions.

Suggest Checker: Displays previously searched terms, matching categories, and related products.
Autocomplete Optimization: Ranks suggestions based on user engagement and search frequency.
Real-Time Suggestions: Uses cached and dynamically generated suggestions for instant feedback.

Allows bulk management of search configurations, synonyms, and filter settings.

Import & Export Configurable Data: Manage monodirectional and bidirectional synonyms, replacements, hidden categories, and special word stems in bulk.
Export Filter Configurations: Retrieve an SEO-friendly list of all filter values.
Batch Updates: Supports CSV-based imports for stop words, replacements, and blacklist entries.

Supports business-driven customizations to fine-tune search behavior.

Business Rule Tool: Allows external business logic to influence search ranking.
Business Rule-Based Sorting: Prioritizes featured products, best-selling items, or strategic listings.
Heldenboost (Hero Boost): Enables products to override ranking logic for promotional campaigns.

The search platform provides a flexible, high-performance search experience with: