# Private knowledge search with evidence

Elkwai Solutions workflow starter · 2026-10-10

Planning example, not a client result or quote. Nothing is sent or purchased. Do not include passwords or confidential records.

https://elkwai.com/workflows/private-knowledge-search

## The problem

- The answer exists in a shared drive but the search returns an obsolete revision, or an assistant cites a document the user should not be allowed to read.

## Simpler alternatives

- Repair document ownership and ordinary search first. Use retrieval-assisted synthesis only where it adds value; compare local, private-cloud and hybrid deployment rather than assuming one is best.

## Inputs

- Approved documents with revision owners and permitted readers
- Representative questions with judged source IDs
- No-answer, conflict and unauthorized-document cases

## Delivery sequence

- Define source ownership and access before indexing.
- Evaluate retrieved document IDs separately from generated answers.
- Retain source references, revision and a no-answer path in the pilot.
- Check real access and answer review, then hand over index refresh and recovery responsibilities.

## Acceptance

- Access filtering occurs before content is retrieved.
- Conflicting or absent evidence produces an inspectable limit.
- Retrieval quality is not substituted for final answer correctness.

## Measure

- Retrieval recall and ranking
- Grounded answer correctness and unanswered cases
- Search, review and index-maintenance effort

## Full cost consideration

- Include document cleanup, access integration, index refresh, answer review, hardware or hosting and model usage. Local execution alone does not establish security or accuracy.

## Tools available now

- Evaluate ranked retrieval: https://elkwai.com/rag-retrieval-evaluator.html
- Check reviewed source fields: https://elkwai.com/extraction-accuracy-evaluator.html

Tools do not automatically transfer data or execute a production integration.

## Separate buying paths

- AI workflow pilot: Quoted after scoping. https://elkwai.com/ai-workflow-pilot
  Connected intake and private knowledge are commissioned work, not connectors already included in the free beta.
- Local and hybrid AI systems: Written project quote. https://elkwai.com/solutions#local-ai
  Hardware, capacity, maintenance and external data routes are evaluated; local is not automatically secure or cheaper.

## Your project notes

Current task:
Desired result:
Existing systems:
Target timing:
Acceptance owner:
Setup and operating costs:

Freed time is capacity, not automatically cash savings. Product scope, checkout and the accepted written quote control delivery.