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Advanced Search Bar Capabilities

The Information Portal web site has many built-in capabilities to search for a new product.  One can search by Product Line, Project Type, Specification or enter key words into the Search bar.  The following are advanced search tips one can use when conducting a search using the Search bar.

Definition of Single Terms and Phrases
  • A query is broken up into terms and operators.  There are two types of terms:  Single Terms and Phrases.
  • A Single Term is a single word such as "cover" or "frame."
  • A Phrase is a group of words surrounded by double quotes such as "sanitary sewer."
  • Multiple terms can be combined together with Boolean operators to form a more complex query (examples will be provided below in these procedures).
Wildcard Searches
  • The search bar supports single and multiple character wildcard searches.
  • To perform a single character wildcard search use the "?" symbol.
  • To perform a multiple character wildcard search use the "*" symbol.
  • The single character wildcard search looks for terms which match the single character replaced by the "?".
    • For example, to search for "trap" or "trip" you can use the search:  tr?p
  • The multiple character wildcard search looks for terms which match zero or more characters replaced by the "*".
    • For example, to search for cover, covers or covering, you can use the search:  cover*
  • You can also use the wildcard searches in the middle of a term.
    • For example:  tr*p
  • You cannot use a * or ? symbol as the first character of a search.
Fuzzy Searches
  • The search bar supports fuzzy searches.  To do a fuzzy search use the tilde, "~", symbol at the end of a single term (word).
    • For example, to search for a term similar in spelling to "rvr" use the fuzzy search:  rvr~
    • This search will find terms like rwr and cvr.
  • An optional parameter may be added to specify the required similarity. The value is between 0 and 1. A value closer to 1 returns terms with a higher similarity.
    • For example:  rvr~0.8
    • The default that is used if the parameter is not given is 0.5.
Boosting a Term
  • The Search bar provides the relevance level of matching documents based on the terms found.  To boost a term use the caret, "^", symbol with a boost factor (a number) at the end of the term you are searching.  The higher the boost factor, the more relevant the term will be.
  • Boosting allows you to control the relevance of a document by boosting its term.
    • For example, if you are searching for airport cover and you want the term "airport" to be more relevant, boost it using the ^ symbol along with the boost factor next to the term, you would type the following:  airport^4 cover
    • This will make documents with the term airport appear more relevant.
  • By default, the boost factor is 1. Although the boost factor must be positive, it can be less than 1, e.g., 0.2.
Boolean Operators
  • Boolean operators allow terms to be combined through logic operators.  The Search bar supports AND, "+", OR, NOT and "-" as Boolean operators.  Boolean operators must be ALL CAPS.
  • OR
    • The OR operator is the default conjunction operator.  This means that if there is no Boolean operator between two terms or phrases, the OR operator is used.  The OR operator links two terms and finds a matching document if either of the terms exist in a document.  This is equivalent to a union using sets.  The symbol || can be used in place of the word OR.
    • To search for documents which contain either "airport cover" or just "airport" use the query:  "airport cover" airport or "airport cover" OR airport
  • AND
    • The AND operator matches documents where both terms or phrases exist anywhere in the text of a single document.  The symbol && can be used in place of the word AND.
    • To search for documents which contain the phrase "airport cover" and "und asy" use the query:  "airport cover" AND "und asy"
  • +
    • The "+" or required operator requires that the term after the "+" symbol exist somewhere in the field of a single document.
    • To search for documents which must contain the term "airport" and may contain the term "cover" use the query:  +airport cover
  • NOT
    • The NOT operator excludes documents that contain the term or phase after NOT.  The symbol ! can be used in place of the word NOT.
    • To search for documents which contain the phrase ?airport cover" but not the phrase "und asy" use the query:  "airport cover" NOT "und asy"
    • Note:  The NOT operator cannot be used with just one term or phrase.  For example, the following search will return no results:  NOT "und asy"
  • -
    • The "-" or prohibit operator excludes documents which contain the term or phrase after the "-" symbol.
    • To search for documents which contain the phrase "airport cover" but not the phrase "und asy" use the query:  "airport cover" -"und asy"

Industry Resources

AWWA

The American Water Works Association creates standards and guidelines for keeping water safe for consumers.  EJ meets and exceeds the AWWA's standards on all water products including; the FlowMaster® Valve and the WaterMaster® 5CD250 Fire Hydrants.

Learn more at www.AWWA.org



ANSI

The American National Standards Institute oversees the creation and implementation of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in every sector.

Learn more at www.ANSI.org



APWA

The American Public Works Association is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works goods and services.  APWA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, incorporated in the state of Illinois.  The APWA exists to help develop and support businesses and people who build and maintain our local communities.

Learn more at www.APWA.net



ASLA

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing 17,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters.  The Society's mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments.

Learn more at www.ASLA.org



NUCA

The National Utility Contractors Association exists to improve the operational proficiency and financial performance of its member companies by providing services that focus on shared industry issues.  NUCA unites the underground utility construction industry under its leadership and speaks with one clear, authoritative voice as it promotes and defends the interests of all stakeholders.  Member companies of the NUCA have the freedom to operate in an open and competitive business environment where they can realize their highest potential and achieve sustained profitability.

Individuals within our member companies have the opportunity to develop professional talents and skills to their highest potential and attain desired career aspirations.  Underground utility systems and facilities are recognized as vital national assets, and those who build and maintain them have the public's confidence and respect.  All Americans have access to the utility services they need and desire.

Learn more at www.NUCA.org



NRWA

The National Rural Water Association, through its state affiliates, is the largest water and wastewater utility membership organization in the nation representing over 26,696 public water and wastewater utilities.  While membership includes utilities of all sizes, they primarily service populations of 10,000 or less and comprise 94% of the public water systems in America.

Learn more at www.NRWA.org



NPCA

The National Precast Concrete Association is an international trade association that represents manufacturers of plant produced precast concrete products and companies that provide the equipment, supplies and services to make these products.

Founded in 1965, NPCA connects leaders in the manufactured concrete industry through educational, leadership and networking opportunities.  The association currently represents more than 1,100 companies that are committed to expanding the use of quality precast concrete.  NPCA also provides technical and production information through eight product committees, which consist of members who concentrate on specific product lines within the precast industry.

Learn more at www.Precast.org



WASDA

The Water and Sewer Distributors of America (WASDA) is comprised of over 100 distributors and manufacturers of waterworks and wastewater products.  Formed in 1979, WASDA's mission is to promote the waterworks/wastewater products distribution industry, and to further improve the image and professionalism of WASDA and its member companies.

Learn more at www.WASDA.org