eTWIST® FAQs

What platforms does the eTWIST® product support?
eTWIST® Mobile Side uses Windows Mobile 5.x+ (Most devices ordered have 6.1 or 6.5).  eTWIST® Desktop or Backend is installed on Windows XP+/Linux/Mac and can be used on Windows XP or higher, Linux, Mac, and some Smart Phones or Tablets.
How have clients added to the capacity of eTWIST® hardware and what are the estimated hours required to complete these tasks?
Capacity increases as memory and hard drive upgrades provide increases across those respective levels.  Pictures are stored on SD Cards on the handhelds, so larger cards with greater storage capacity will allow for more pictures.  Adding a larger SD Card estimated at less than 10min.  Adding more memory to a PC/Server estimate 15min, and adding a larger Hard Drive estimated at 30min or less.  Any other additional tasks depend on the task.  Regarding eTWIST® handhelds, the SD Card holds pictures in memory, estimate 5min or less if you need to copy existing over.  eTWIST® handheld applications should not need to be reinstalled, estimate to reinstall 5-10min.  If the PC/Server OS needs reinstalled estimate 30min to 3 hours.  Importing a copy of the database estimated at 5min to an hour or more.  If the eTWIST® Backend needs to be reinstalled from scratch, the Web Server, Script Engine and Database engine, we estimate 30min to an hour to install if already downloaded.  Copying over the eTWIST® Backend install and setup estimated at 15-30min excluding any additional time for user setup.  All estimates are based on a basic level of IT knowledge and core competencies.
What is eTWIST® maximum capacity?
Each table in the database can be up to 64TB assuming memory and hard drive space allows. With each Table at 64TB Max and currently there are 10 Tables for a total of 7,036,874,417,766,400 Bytes if all tables are filled to capacity.  The Handheld's max database size is 4GB which it is very unlikely to ever get near, as Microsoft sets the default max it expects to use at 256MB and eTWIST® does not store pictures within it, only text.
Does eTWIST® allow technical staff to handle the installation?
YES, BUT we do not recommend an agency install eTWIST® solution on its own the first time.
How many estimated hours for installation?
Given the site preparedness and the scope of the installation, we estimate 2-3 days on-site for installation, setup and training required for up to 8-10 users per site.  We generally employ the "Train the Trainer" method.
What is eTWIST® licensing structure?
Per concurrent user license.
What is GIS?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.  GIS allows users to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.  GIS technology can be integrated into any enterprise information system framework.
We have VERY harsh environments where we will deploy the mobile devices, such as rain, snow, sand, fire, high heat and humidity, salty air, below freezing temperatures, going from hot to cold and back again, soda and coffee spilled on them, and long days in the field. Our operators are brutal on equipment in general and do not always use them as they are intended. Given our environment, what kind of durability tests have been conducted, and can your mobility recommendations stand up to this type of environment?
Motorola Durability Testing

Customization

What percentage of eTWIST® clients have customized the base solution and what functions were added?
eTWIST® has years of development and testing with input from Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.  As such a very small percentage eTWIST® requires "customization".
Are there any Software Developer Kits and/or libraries provided for customization?
eTWIST® Backend solution is designed with web technologies and simple transfer methods to allow for easy customization without the need of any SDKs.  eTWIST® also provides the user the ability to easily customize particular fields and selections using commonly available software tools/text editors.
Is eTWIST® source code available?
eTWIST® Mobile Evidence Software Solution is wholly owned by Primary Marking Systems, Inc. and is Patent-Pending.  Primary Marking Systems Inc. uses license agreements and other tools in its development and considers all Copyrighted, Trademarked or Patented products to be proprietary to the respective companies and should be treated with the same level of confidentiality provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  eTWIST® is Patent-Pending and is stored in a safe secure environment - generally NO Source Code, will be provided to the user.
What version control software is utilized with your application?
Each developer is assigned one Project with no other developers handling the code for that project, so source control is not required.  Many minds working on a project creates multiple windows for many bugs.  Peer review and testing is done to prevent developers from overlooking errors, but only one hand in the code.

Security

Does your eTWIST® application provide role-based security and what method(s) of network and application authentication are supported?
Yes.  Our eTWIST® software is permissions based - The system administrator can set permissions on a per user basis. There are multiple levels of application authentication allowing each record to store the DSN/User identification that modified a respective record along with the time/date stamp of the modification.
Does the solution flow the client ID to the back-end system (non-repudiation)?
Yes, all activity with the Backend is being recorded/logged to another record.
Does eTWIST® support audit logs, if so, what elements are logged? Where are the logs stored?
Yes, all activity within the Backend is being recorded/logged to another record. 
Does the application provide secured Internet transactions?
Secured Internet transactions are the responsibility and thus the result of the level of security offered to or by the Internet provider or host.  eTWIST® has several levels of security built in, including equaling FIPS Level 1.  eTWIST® is Validated by Motorola and Certified by AT&T.  By incorporating the use of a third party device management software, such as those provided by Soti or Good, eTWIST® can be remotely managed, to provide even greater security protection.

Support

Does eTWIST® provide enough information to be supported and maintained by the customer?
Yes, based on a basic level of IT knowledge and core competencies.
What type of troubleshooting utilities does the eTWIST® solution have?
eTWIST® Error Checking and Handling are built in to all aspects of the application to alert the user regarding an error condition or missing requirements for data entered.  Including the use of RED and GREEN outlines around ALL data input boxes as status indicators.
What pre/post implementation support is available?
Primary Marking makes use of a GANNT Chart, which provides responsibilities and assignments to all parties and FTE's for both the post and pre installation.  Further post implementation support is addressed in an SLA (Service Level Agreement).

Maintenance

What level of programming support will I needed or is provided?
The user should have basic networking, database, and a core competency in IT.  If user does not have those core competencies or the bandwidth, Primary Marking can provide those services. 
Are there various levels of maintenance that are offered?
Yes, Primary Marking provides comprehensive SLA options, which can be unique and tailored to the coverage required by the user.  Coverage's vary from on site 24/7/365 to help desk hours 8-5.  All eTWIST® software require a 1 year software maintenance agreement and the mobile device hardware require a 3 year support.  Return to factory for hardware and 8-5 software/hardware help desk.  Additional support levels such as hot spares are also available.
What type of documentation is provided with eTWIST®?
Complete User and Setup Manuals, as well as videotaped training sessions are provided.
How are eTWIST® software changes accomplished and how often?
SLA Clients are notified via email of available downloads of eTWIST® software updates.  Minor releases are schedule at the quarterly mark or as needed.  Major releases and enhancements at the 1-2 year mark.  Many previously "customized" agency requests are integrated directly as enhancements to standard eTWIST® solution set.
What is the process for ensuring eTWIST® Mobile Evidence application is current with operating systems updates (Windows XP Professional, Windows 7 etc)?
The eTWIST® handheld platform is running the latest Windows Mobile 6.1-6.5.  eTWIST® Backend is Web/Network based running through a browser keeping to the latest HTML standards.  We continue to review platforms such as Android and various other platforms for Smartphone/Tablet usage keeping with industry standards and migrating with partners, like Motorola, AT&T, Google and others.  eTWIST® will advance to those platforms that provide security and stability consistant to Law Enforcement demands.