Microsoft said on Tuesday it will extend the reach of its desktop search technology to business networks.

Windows Desktop Search for enterprises will give IT managers the ability to add search access to shared resources on the corporate network.

The Redmond giant made the announcement at its IT Forum 2005 conference in Europe for IT professionals, which is being held in Barcelona, Spain.

Desktop search is a major area of focus for Microsoft and its portal rivals, such as Google and Yahoo. There are also a slew of independents including Copernic Desktop Search and blinkx. But enterprise search has been a focus for IBM, which has for the most part stayed out of the stand-alone desktop search field.

But with the extension of its desktop search product into the enterprise, Microsoft has sounded a warning that it is about to break down the search barrier between the desktop and the enterprise.

In August, IBM announced an integrated enterprise search solution with X1 Technologies that will provide a single interface for both desktop and enterprise searches. IBM’s enterprise search technology allows authorized employees to search content from a range of applications, including document management systems, databases, and content management systems.

While Microsoft did not offer extensive details about the level of access that users will have to specific enterprise applications, the company said that with the extended enterprise capability, PC users will be able to search areas of the enterprise where they have authorized access.

Built on Microsoft Tools

The enterprise search product will make use of a number of Windows tools, including Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2003, a collaborative system through which teams can connect to shared information, and in the future, Windows Live.

Windows Live is a type of personal portal that offers access to information, email, search, and PC files. It is currently in beta-testing stage.

“These new enterprise-class enhancements… will empower IT professionals to deliver higher productivity, lower IT management costs, and greater ease of use throughout their organizations,” said Christopher Payne, corporate vice president of MSN Search at Microsoft. “Gaining rapid access to more relevant, up-to-date, and action-oriented search results will enable information workers to make better, faster decisions.”

Enterprise search customers can plug in other search products or use MSN Search Toolbar, which Microsoft said provides a beta feature that allows services to see integrated Windows Desktop Search results within Microsoft Office Outlook.

IT managers can customize Windows Desktop Search and the MSN Search Toolbar to allow users to switch the scope of their search experience from the desktop to the web or to a corporate intranet from within a single search box.

They can also use Windows IFilters and other protocol handlers to index new information for search accessibility.