Internal knowledge search without the security risks

Finding the right information quickly isn't just a convenience anymore—it's a necessity. The recent announcement of Perplexity's Internal Knowledge Search feature has brought renewed attention to this critical need. While Perplexity's approach offers interesting capabilities by combining web search with internal document repositories, it's worth exploring how internal knowledge search tools evolve in a more secure and seamless direction.

What's Perplexity's internal knowledge search?

Perplexity's Internal Knowledge Search is a newly introduced feature designed to enhance the research capabilities of its Pro and Enterprise users. It allows them to search internal files in conjunction with web content, streamlining the process of gathering information from multiple sources. Perplexity's internal knowledge search represents a significant advancement in AI search and offers several benefits, such as:

• Combined search across web and internal documents

• Unified interface for all queries

• AI-powered insights from combined sources

However, this approach comes with inherent challenges and limitations that many organizations struggle with:

• File storage constraints (typically capped at a few hundred files)

• Need for manual updates to keep information current

• Security concerns about storing sensitive data in external systems

• Complex permission management separate from existing systems

An alternative: source-native search

Qatalog is an innovative internal knowledge search tool. Instead of requiring organizations to create and maintain separate document repositories or upload documents, Qatalog connects directly to your existing SaaS tools and platforms. This fundamentally different architecture offers several key advantages:

1. Security first

Rather than asking organizations to trust another platform with their sensitive data, Qatalog searches directly at the source. Your information stays exactly where it is, protected by your existing security measures. Permissions are inherited automatically from your current systems, eliminating the need for additional access control management.

Learn more about secure enterprise search

2. Real-time access

By connecting directly to tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, BigQuerry, Snowflake, Slack, and more, Qatalog ensures that search results are always current. There's no need to worry about outdated information or manual updates—if it's current in your system, it's current in your search results.

3. Seamless integration

Implementation becomes significantly simpler. Instead of uploading and managing files in yet another system, organizations can simply connect Qatalog to their existing tools. This means:

• No file limits to manage

• No index maintenance required

• No duplicate storage concerns

• No new permission systems to learn

4. Future-proof architecture

As organizations increasingly focus on data security and governance, Qatalog's approach aligns perfectly with modern best practices:

• Data remains under your control

• Existing compliance measures stay intact

• No additional attack surface from duplicate data storage

• Automatic updates as source systems evolve

How much is an internal knowledge search?

While enterprise search tools traditionally come with complex pricing tiers and sales processes, Qatalog offers refreshingly transparent pricing at $15 per user per month, with a risk-free 14-day trial. No hidden fees, no complex negotiations, no surprises.

What makes this pricing particularly compelling is that you get Qatalog's full enterprise-grade security features (keeping your data in your existing secure systems) at a price point ($15/user/month) that's actually lower than Perplexity's Pro tier ($20/month/seat).

Here's a quick overview of what different providers offer.

How to choose the right solution?

While Perplexity's entry into the internal knowledge search space highlights the growing importance of this technology, organizations should carefully consider their approach. The key questions to ask:

• Do you want to manage another repository of sensitive data?

• How important is real-time access to current information?

• What resources can you dedicate to maintaining another system?

• How critical is maintaining existing security controls?

Key takeaway

The future of internal knowledge search lies not in creating new repositories but in intelligently connecting existing ones. Qatalog's approach represents this next evolution—providing powerful search capabilities while respecting the integrity and security of your existing systems. As organizations increasingly prioritize security, efficiency, and seamless integration, solutions that work with your existing infrastructure rather than replacing it will become the new standard.

The choice between these approaches ultimately comes down to your organization's priorities. If you're looking for a solution that combines powerful search capabilities with enterprise-grade security and zero maintenance overhead, Qatalog's source-native approach offers a compelling path forward.

FAQ

What is an internal knowledge search?

An internal knowledge search a technology that helps organizations find and access information stored within their internal systems. It allows people to quickly find relevant data, documents, or resources needed to perform their tasks effectively. This capability is not just for large enterprises suffering from internal communication challenges—it’s particularly valuable for mid-sized companies, which often face similar information silos but lack the resources for complex maintenance or manual data updates.

By enabling teams to quickly find the latest information without overhauling existing systems, internal knowledge search helps companies improve productivity, streamline collaboration, and make the most of their existing tools.

How does internal knowledge search work?

Internal knowledge search can be implemented using two main approaches: the repository-based approach, which centralizes documents by requiring uploads to an external system (e.g. Perplexity), and the source-native approach, which connects directly to existing tools like Google Workspace or Slack to search information at its source (e.g. Qatalog). While the repository-based approach combines document and web search, it requires manual updates, creates new permission systems, and may pose security risks by storing data externally. In contrast, the source-native approach eliminates data migration, inherits existing security permissions, and provides real-time access to the latest information.

Organizations increasingly favor the source-native approach due to its seamless integration, reduced maintenance, and enhanced security. This method leverages existing infrastructure, ensuring data stays where it is while remaining instantly searchable, making it ideal for businesses prioritizing real-time access and low overhead.

How is Qatalog different from other AI search tools?

Qatalog uses real-time data retrieval search engine, which eliminates the need for data indexing. Unlike indexed RAG solutions that require duplicating and storing data externally, Qatalog’s real-time approach connects directly to live tools and platforms through their native APIs. This ensures instant access to the latest information, reduced maintenance, and enhanced security by inheriting existing permission structures without duplicating sensitive data.

How does Qatalog handle sensitive information?

Qatalog takes a zero-retention approach to your data. It only accesses information at the moment of search and immediately discards it after providing results. No data is ever stored or retained by Qatalog—your sensitive information remains protected by your existing security measures, and your current compliance protocols and security controls remain fully intact. This ensures maximum security and minimizes any potential exposure of sensitive data.

Where does my company's data live when using Qatalog?

Your data stays exactly where it is, in your existing secure systems. Unlike repository-based solutions that require uploading files to their servers, Qatalog connects directly to your tools (like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack) and searches at the source. Your sensitive information never leaves your secure environment.

How are permissions handled?

Qatalog automatically inherits permissions from your existing systems. If someone has access to a document in Google Drive or a channel in Slack, they'll be able to find it through Qatalog—no new permission systems to manage. If they don't have access in the source system, they won't see it in search results.

How long does implementation take?

Setup is quick and straightforward. Simply connect Qatalog to your existing tools. There's no need for data migration or complex IT projects. Most organizations can be up and running in a matter of hours, not weeks or months.

What happens if we stop using Qatalog?

Since your data always stays in your systems, there's no complex extraction process or risk of losing access to your information. Simply discontinue use of Qatalog, and your data remains exactly where it's always been—in your secure systems.