Getting Started | Security | Key Product Specs | Inforbix Technology

Overview

How Inforbix works

Inforbix is a cloud solution that aggregates and exposes on-premise product data from multiple sources and locations without actually touching, moving, or migrating files to the cloud. Users access Inforbix with any standard web browser. It is simple to deploy. Secure. And both fun and easy to use.

Supported Product Data Crawlers

Inforbix can access multiple file types and product data sources. For supported data types please visit our Supported data types page.

Getting started with Inforbix

Installation and deployment process

The installation process is perhaps the most work we’ll ever ask you to perform! The good news is that getting started with Inforbix is painless, fast, and easy. Here’s an overview of the key steps in the process:

2. Download the installation wizard
We’ll send you instructions on downloading the installation wizard which will guide you through the process of installing what we call the Product Data Crawler (PDC). These are background processes that index (i.e. scan) the data you want Inforbix to know about.

3. Enter your credentials to begin the PDC installation process
You will be supplied by Inforbix with credentials for initializing the installation of the Product Data Crawlers (PDC). You will also be asked to accept Inforbix Terms of Service. The installation wizard will then guide you through a few simple steps.

4. Completion of PDC installation process
Once the installation of the PDC is completed, you will be ready for selecting the folders you want Inforbix to know about.

5. Select folders for Indexing using the Web Admin Tool (WAT)
Use the WAT to select the folders or directories containing product data you want Inforbix to index (i.e. scan). Indexing times may vary from under an hour to a day or two depending on the total amount of data contained in the folders you have chosen. The good news is that indexing does not impact your work-in-progress or cause system disruptions. Use the WAT to schedule indexing, monitor indexing progress and perform other admin tasks. This includes managing the folders that are indexed by the Product Data Crawlers, e.g. adding and removing folders.

6. Accessing Inforbix
Once indexing has completed you are ready to use Inforbix to access your product data using any standard web browser. See list, below, of supported web browsers.

7. Inforbix and the cloud
Indexed information (that is, data about the data, aka metadata) is sent and maintained on the Inforbix Cloud. No actual CAD, product data, or original data is sent to the Cloud. Only an abstraction of the original data is sent (as metadata). As a result, there is no need for migrating data into a central repository or other proprietary data management systems. Inforbix works with data in it’s original location without touching or modifying it in any way.

Security

Security is our top priority

Inforbix takes the security of your product data very seriously. Every possible precaution is taken to ensure that your product data remains secure. The Inforbix Cloud is housed within the secure Internap facilities located in Boston, MA. Inforbix customers have their own dedicated virtual Cloud server with individual access links (URL) and login credentials.

Download process and indexing

You are in control of the Inforbix indexing process. Inforbix provides a web admin tool (WAT) to ensure that you always have the ability to control, manage, and monitor the product data crawlers and indexing process. You or your company will be provided an Inforbix admin account with it’s own unique login credentials that enables usage of the index admin tool.

Index information (i.e. data about at the data, aka metadata) on the Inforbix cloud

Inforbix automatically sends your metadata via secure SSL encryption to a dedicated virtual server on the Cloud. This virtual server is self-contained and dedicated only to your company’s metadata. The information sent and residing on the virtual server is an abstraction of the original data in your company created by Inforbix proprietary technology. None of your company’s original files are either transmitted or sent to the Inforbix Cloud. In the unlikely event of a security breach, your metadata on the Cloud will be unintelligible to anyone outside of Inforbix.

Web browser access of Inforbix

Inforbix uses https secure protocols (the same used by online banking) to ensure all transactions between you, your product data, and Inforbix are secure.

Individual user access to secure company data

Inforbix automatically inherits the access rights for each individual user. An Inforbix user will only be able to search and view results for documents they have already been given permissions to by their IT department or system administrator. Inforbix inherits security properties from Active Directory and LDAP protocols ensuring that existing company file access permissions are adhered too.

Partners

Inforbix has technology partnerships with the following major vendors:

Key product specs

Supported web browsers

Users can access Inforbix on the following Windows and Mac/OS supported web browsers:

• Firefox 4.6+
• Chrome
• Safari 5.0+
• Opera 9.6+
• Internet Explorer 8, 9
• Internet Explorer 7 (performance degradation possible)

Note: Internet Explorer 6 is not supported

Supported Operating System for Inforbix indexing: Windows XP SP 2 and higher

Inforbix technology

Harnessing the power of semantic technology

Product data is complex and is located in many places throughout a company. Inforbix uses semantic technology to automatically find and infer relationships between disparate sources of structured and unstructured product data. By linking and connecting related product data together, Inforbix is able to provide users with an ability to find, locate, and access product data quickly and thoroughly. Learn more about Inforbix technology by visiting and following the Inforbix Blog.