New “smart” email search software from IBM can figure out what you are trying to find, even when you aren’t so sure yourself. Its semantic search capabilities allow you to search on concepts and ideas rather than set-in-stone keywords.

Made in IBM’s research labs, the software is powered by advanced algorithms that interpret incomplete queries and find information such as phone numbers, people, meetings, presentations, documents, and images.

Called IBM OmniFind Personal Email Search, the semantic search tool is available for Lotus Notes at no charge on IBM alphaWorks.

“With gigabytes of e-mail storage readily available to nearly everyone, e-mail has evolved from a simple communication tool into a personal database where we retain vast amounts of valuable information,” said Douglass Wilson, distinguished engineer and chief technology officer of Lotus. “We continue to deliver better tools to speed and improve personal mailbox search, and OmniFind Personal Email Search illustrates how IBM’s advanced technology delivers the ability to quickly and easily access the precise information we need, exactly when we need it.”

The software was created through a collaborative effort among IBM Research Labs in Almaden (California), Haifa (Israel) and Delhi (India).