Ayna drops FAST search engine

Nashua, 14 September, 2009 --- The Arabic search engine ayna.com is dropping FAST ESP Search engine from its technology repertoire, after three years of use, and relying on alternate solutions to better deliver Arabic search results.  During the last quarter of 2009, Arabic users will start seeing those changes in the form of better search results and coverage.

FAST Search & Transfer, which was acquired by Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) in 2008, had signed a deal in 2006 with Ayna to build and maintain a search platform that is able to compete effectively.  FAST, along with its ESP platform failed to deliver a flexible search technology to Ayna, and the platform became increasingly difficult to maintain or scale.

Ayna's CEO, Adonis El Fakih, remarks "FAST solutions, sales, and support are not in sync with the changing tides or the available search choices out there, and wanted to keep the status quo, instead of stepping up to the plate and deliver a competitive product."  Ayna's decision to drop FAST from its repertoire of technologies, came after months of deliberation with account managers and support services, which exposed the short comings of the platform and business attitude towards competing in the search space. Mr. El Fakih continued to say "...it is lamentable to loose an important investment in our core services, however we had no choice but to cut our loss and move on."