Yet the planned purchase, analysts said, does give Microsoft technology that it could potentially use to enhance its Web search business.

There are some significant differences between Web search and so-called enterprise search technology. In consumer searches, the popularity of a Web page, for example, is an important factor in determining its relevance, while popularity tends to be less important in ranking corporate information sources.

In a conference call, Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft’s business division, which includes Office, declined to discuss any specific plans for Fast before its shareholders vote on the friendly offer. But he said the two companies have talked about how elements of Fast’s technology might be used in Microsoft’s Web search.

“Absolutely, we were excited by the great team and the great work done at Fast,” Mr. Raikes said.

Google does compete in the enterprise search market with specialized software packaged in a slender server computer, called the Google Search Appliance. And Microsoft sees enterprise search as a promising new market where it wants to get a leg up on Google and other rivals.

Image Jeff Raikes, president of Microsofts business division, said his company had been in talks with Fast Search and Transfer. Credit... Paul Sakuma/Associated Press

“With this acquisition, we are the clear leader in enterprise search,” Mr. Raikes said.

The Microsoft move also comes at a time when Google has begun to go after the corporate market with a package of online alternatives to Microsoft’s Office products.