Frequently Asked Questions

Is the eCollector system a forensic collection tool?

No.  eCollector is a defensible electronic discovery collection tool.

What is the difference?  eCollector will capture any item defined as a file within directory structure.  In addition to files ordinarily visible, eCollector will also capture hidden files, system files and recycle bin contents.  Once items have been emptied from the Recycle Bin, they are beyond our reach.

Use Forensic tools when you need to capture "slack" space or "white" space items including deleted files.

Why use eCollector instead of Forensic tools?

Speed, simplicity, flexibility and cost.

Speed:  The eCollector system provides the shortest path between project kickoff and initial filtered data delivery in the industry.  Within 48 hours of project kickoff de-duplicated, metadata extracted, key word searched and file type filtered data sets may be delivered for native file review or image conversion.

Simplicity:  eCollector requires no software installs, no workstation modifications and offers a very simple means to complete defensible, documented collection projects.  As part of the collection process, the system automatically de-duplicates electronic files and available metadata is extracted.  We create a single, de-duplicated structured repository out of the unstructured electronic files scattered within your environment.

Flexibility:  eCollector support many different models for collection -- web based, USB hard drive collection from local machines, network based "stealth" collections.  Remote custodians may also submit files via secure Internet/VPN connections.

Cost:  Processing files through the eCollector system generates filtered data sets suitable for immediate loading into hosted repositories or traditional tools such as Summation and Concordance.  By using the eCollector system expensive vendor processing fees are avoided.

Why shouldn't I just use Robocopy or some other copy utility to capture the files I want?

While definitive guidelines for what does or does not constitute acceptable e-discovery collection practices are still evolving, one consistent goal has remained unchanged since the earliest e-discovery days.  When producing a document, one should be able to track the history for the produced document back to the original source within the authoring organization and have the ability to validate the produced document's integrity against the original source file.

When simply copying files (whether to a hard drive or to a network directory) the link to the original document is broken.  No contemporaneous record is generated during the copy process to affirmatively link the preserved copy with the original source -- where two files have the same name, which came from where? 

The eCollector system provides you with a capture process that is simpler than Robocopy and automatically generates the defensible chain of custody for each collected document.

How do I search for files to collect?

You don't.  We believe there is a distinction between litigation preservation processes and collection processes.  Identifying files to preserve must encompass all electronic data types within an organization, not just those that can be keyword searched.  Depending upon the search tool employed to identify files, many file types may be missed.  Graphics files, drawings, marketing materials, audiovisual files and password protected files are often not indexed and therefore missed when using search terms to identify files for preservation purposes.

Granite systems are built around flexible processes for identifying relevant materials for preservation based upon custodian, network location, network rights and other identification processes unique to each individual information systems environment.  We'll let you you choose the method for identifying the correct materials and we'll provide the means for a defensible collection process.

Our belief is that full text searching is an appropriate method for filtering the project repository after collection - when the unsearchable document types have been identified and appropriate processes for review and collection selection have been determined for each unsearchable file type.  eCollector Enterprise does full-text index the repository and provide the means for single term (or phrase) searching along with term (or phrase) list searching for filtering purposes. 

If you should choose to keyword search for files to preserve, the eCollector system provides the means to collection files based upon text file lists.

How long does it take to deploy?

eCollector Enterprise systems may be configured within an environment and collection projects begun within 24 hours of initial setup. 

eCollector Portable collection projects can generally be started within an hour of the collection team arriving at the collection site.