November 2023: New functions and enhancements in AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) are constantly being expanded, optimized and provided with new functions. New applications are added, existing applications are developed further and the range of functions is increasing almost continuously. To keep you up to date, we provide a small update on the new developments within AWS at irregular intervals. In November 2023: QuickSight and OpenSearch Service.

Since November 2023, OpenSearch Service supports Neural Sparse Retrieval

Neural sparse retrieval is similar to classic terminology-based indexing for ordering within the search. However, it understands rare words and expressions better and is an extended form of the sparse embedding method.

Neural Sparse Retrieval uses models based on Transformer technology - the best known examples are GPT and BERT. This allows OpenSearch Service to create an index that takes more information into account and better finds the relationships between non-matching words.

Neural Sparse Retrieval offers two functions:

- Documents only: This mode is more comparable to the lexical search and has a low latency. This means that the search is comparatively limited.

- Bi-encoder: In this mode, search relevance and latency are maximized. This results in a correspondingly higher search accuracy.

Users can choose between the modes and thus influence the costs, performance and search accuracy themselves.

Neural Sparse Retrieval is designed to minimize the overall computing costs and latency for OpenSearch Service. It is available from OpenSearch Service 2.11.

QuickSight receives some updates in November 2023

Amazon QuickSight is Amazon's help tool for answering internal questions. The AI-driven application allows users to ask questions in natural language and explore interactive dashboards. QuickSight uses machine learning to improve the answers to questions.

Since November 2023, Software-as-a-Service applications can be automatically integrated into QuickSight's dashboards and visualized components. Runtime theming (runtime filtering) enables this direct integration and also allows the complete design of embedded content to be synchronized. In addition, personalized areas and access options can be set for individual users.

The new filter options allow you to set and save completely user-defined or data-based search entries in QuickSight. The runtime filter greatly refines the search and makes it easier to find specific data or documents.

Runtime theming is only available with the Amazon QuickSight Enterprise Edition.

Amazon QuickSight has had a direct connection to Amazon EventBridge since November 2023. QuickSight automatically sends asset events to EventBridge. Developers can define rules on how to react to certain events in QuickSight and thus define actions that are executed automatically.

The QuickSight Enterprise Edition is also required for this.

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