Producer: i2 Limited

Available versions: iBase, iBase SSE

iBase integrates with: Analyst’s Notebook.

iBase is a sophisticated database solution for capturing, controlling and analyzing multi-source data in a secure environment. It provides users with an intuitive visual format which enables to get started quickly. It also provides straightforward access to data structured to meet the analytical needs of individual investigations. This software product is specifically designed for investigators and analysts and therefore incorporates a range of powerful analytical functions.

iBase is highly flexible and can adapt to any intelligence gathering task. It is designed both for single users working on a small operation-specific task and for multi users working in a department of an organization on data collected over a longer period. It allows to specify the information you want to collect and how you want to store it. The data can be entered to the database both automatically and manually.

iBase provides a straightforward yet powerful import mechanism, enabling to retrieve data from a multitude of sources, such as text files, OLE Compliant Data Sources or XML files (MS Rowset Schema) and converts them to entities and links, providing uniform standard of information. Users can import data with Import Specifications (definitions of how iBase is to interpret an input file and convert the input data into entities and links). Import specifications can be easily created from the user level. Once created and saved they can be modified or reused.

iBase is a unique and flexible application which puts analysts in total control of the information captured and analyzed during an investigation. This approach means that the users don’t have to think of every eventuality at the outset, you can adapt your database structure as your investigation progresses and your requirements change.

iBase always keeps an analyst in control of the data, no matter whether the pre-defined database templates or user created templates are applied. Having set the data collection requirements, iBase automatically generates “input forms” for each of the record types enabling to manually input information directly into the database. You can also create datasheets to isolate different types of data on separate pages or to show combined details for linked entities.

Example of Datasheet: The upper area of the dialog is used for the 'main' entity, while the lower area is used for its links and /or linked entities, depending on the current view. The dialog features tabs which reflect link types.

iBase is specifically designed with analysis in mind. Once you have captured your data, a wide range of analytical and querying options are supplied to bring it to life. These include:

• Find: allows to quickly pinpoint the particular records you wish to find;

• Query: allows to “draw” the question you wish to ask by dragging and dropping relevant icons and links. Because the drawings are automatically translated into queries, there is no need to learn a complex database query language;

Visual Query Definition and Results Dialogs.

• Sets: allows for saving results of searching as a set of objects/links which can be used for further analysis;

• Browse: used to organize your findings into lists of records, view a number of records, the contents of a set, or the results of a query, helping you to focus on important information;

• Reports: can be based upon the results of queries, the contents of a set, or the whole database or selected records. They can be printed, placed on a web page, or sent to Microsoft Word.

Full integration with Analyst’s Notebook ensures that information can be collected and queried within iBase and easily viewed as association and timeline charts. You can work within Analyst’s Notebook drawing the information from iBase as and when you need it. This flexibility puts analysts in charge of the analytical process by allowing them to work within the chosen environment. The integration with Analyst’s Notebook extends the analytical capabilities by allowing analysts to:

• quickly reveal interconnections hidden within the data;

• identify critical paths through a network of records;

• instantly view and edit the record content within Analyst’s Notebook;

• expand individual icons to view related records, without the need to go back into the database;

• use the chart as a data entry mechanism when creating or linking iBase entities;

• see how events unfold over time using the timeline charting within Analyst’s Notebook;

• use charts to present your information and communicate your findings.

iBase provides individual feature control and data access security features. You can configure the user interface to suit different members of staff by removing unnecessary options; thereby reducing training time and improving productivity.

You can group users’ saved work, such as query definitions, into public and private areas, which enables to organize and structure the work within appropriate project folders.

The software also enables you to publish queries and groups of data to assist communication and share best practice. Sophisticated data access security means that you can restrict access to sensitive data, making it read-only or removing access altogether.

iBase uses Microsoft Jet database engine. For increased levels of access and greater storage capacity, iBase SSE (SQL Server Edition) that uses Microsoft’s SQL Server is available. With an advanced audit function to track all database activity and the capability to build larger scale database solutions, iBase SSE provides a unique multi-user analytical environment.

There are two parts to iBase, a user module, called iBase User and a designer module, called iBase Designer. Designers are responsible for designing databases and setting up the properties of entities and links and for configuring security etc. - these tasks are referred to as administrative tasks. Users can use databases, add or import records, and manipulate or analyze the data.

The roles of Designers and Users can be summarized as follows:

Designers

• Design databases.

• Create new databases - includes creating all the required entity and link types.

• Update databases - adding new entity and link types as requirements arise.

• Configure databases - setting up code lists, labeling schemes and all the other things that affect how the database is used.

• Administer the database - for example: adding users, setting security, deleting old records, and backing-up the data.

Users

• Add, modify and delete records.

• Create sets and queries.

• Analyze the data using a variety of tools.

• Create reports or charts based upon the data.