Knowledge.Works: Secure Single Intelligence Repository
Jinfo Blog

By Sophie Alexander

Abstract

Knowledge.Works from Cipher Systems acts as a single information repository for all content related to competitive or business intelligence collection and analysis. It supports all phases of the intelligence cycle from data collection, aggregation, indexing, searching, analysis, reporting and collaboration. With much of its functionality updated since the last FreePint review in 2010, this product could help save an organisation time and money by automating the more time-consuming efforts of research analysts.

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For any organisation, the Competitive Intelligence (CI) cycle involves gathering large amounts of information from many sources. Organising and making sense of all this information can be a time-consuming process and the constant stream of real-time data only makes this worse.

Automating the Mundane Tasks

This is where Knowledge.Works may help.

Providing a secure web-based interface, and available as either a fully hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) solution or a direct licensing model, it aggregates an organisation’s CI information into a single intelligence repository. It is designed to automate the more mundane and time-consuming efforts of research analysts, saving time and money and improving internal dissemination of important business information.

All information is collected, indexed and maintained in a SQL server database. With a client-defined taxonomy, customised interface and early warning system, it offers a secure information repository for an organisation.

It can support most information sources including web-based news feeds, primary information sources such as comments from trade show collection teams, internal documents or PDFs, emails and blogs.

Freeing Up Time for Analysis & Dissemination

Access and functionality is determined by user role and information can be organised into logical topics via its newly designed Key Intelligence Topic (KIT) wizard which can be further broken down into Key Intelligence Questions (KIQs).

Users can also add their own comments to items within the system and create reports based on the information. It includes standard analytical templates such as ad hoc, SWOT, profiling and market analysis and helps in areas such as market entry analysis, competitor and customer profiles, product launch assessments and merger and acquisition risk management.

It is used by more than 85 Fortune 1000 organisations across many industries.

New Features

Knowledge.Works has updated many of its features since the last FreePint review in 2010, some of which include its newly designed discussion forum, industry dashboard, integrated translation tool, SharePoint Connector, report wizard, keyword tag cloud and multi-layered keyword tree.

It provides a variety of ways to disseminate information within an organisation and makes collaboration and sharing more effective. For example, field personnel can enter contributions directly into the system using web-based forms, email or mobile devices.

It is not an "out-of-the-box" solution and is customised to meet the unique needs of every organisation.

Editor's Note

Knowledge.Works has a host of interesting features. The full FreePint Report: Product Review of Knowledge.Works is now available in PDF format, in a convenient package for reference and sharing, for those with a FreePint Subscription.

This article is part of the FreePint Topic Series: Next-Generation Competitive Intelligence running from May-June 2014. Register your interest now, and you'll also get a free copy of the FreePint Report: Buyer's Guide on Competitive Intelligence when it's published in June.

Articles in Series:

• Knowledge.Works: Introduction and Contact Details
• Knowledge.Works: Sources, Content and Coverage
• Knowledge.Works: Technology: Search, Outputs & Alerts, User Interface & Help
• Knowledge.Works: Value, Competitors, Development & Pricing

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