Yesterday, Google announced a new version of the Google Desktop Search application, specifically designed for companies.

The program is free and can be downloaded from the official site Google Desktop Search, the user being only required to fill-in a registration form.

The Enterprise version of Google Desktop Search offers the same features as the end user one, but it can also be integrated into Google Search Appliance and Google Mini Search Appliance.

The result of the collaboration with IBM is Google Desktop Search Enterprise's ability to index the e-mail inboxes from Lotus Notes and the messages from Lotus Sametime which have been saved in Notes 6.5 or in more recent versions.

„We're trying to make a seamless search experience across the Web, across corporate intranets, and on your own computer," said Girouard, who noted that Google already markets products that enable large and small businesses to search their intranets and websites.

Girouard outlined that all the data indexed by Google Desktop Search Enterprise are encrypted from security reasons.

The launching of Google Desktop Search Enterprise takes place only a day after Microsoft's announcement of the new version of MSN Search Toolbar which also has desktop searching functions. The desktop searching functions incorporated into MSN Search Toolbar are available only to end users, but Microsoft announced that an enterprise version will also be launched.