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FAQ
We have a detailed list of frequently asked questions to help answer any of your queries, but if you still can't find the answer you're looking for then please send us a message using our contact form and we'll get back to you soon.
  • Who is Zhiant for?
    Zhiant is for businesses and legal professionals who need to get a sense of some critical electronically stored information ("ESI"), in the form of documents, e-mail, instant, text and voice messages, databases, digital images, multimedia files and file metadata.
  • What is the Zhiant platform and how does it work?
    Zhiant is an intelligent information platform for businesses and legal professionals to access a global network of data experts, vetted to meet strict requirements for industry expertise, areas of specialisation, accreditation, data residency, location and availability. Simply select a plan that best meets your requirements or go through the steps using our simple Request-for-Proposal builder and we'll have proposals from suppliers that meet your specific requirements in your inbox within 24-48 hours!
  • What are some scenarios where I should consider using Zhiant?
    I need to process social media data as evidence and need the assistance of a computer forensic expert. I have 1TB of data to review but I am having problems finding the information I want. I was expecting 1GB from my client and have received 100GB instead, the initial review deadline is 10 days away. I have 300GB of data, 30 search terms, half of which is Chinese. I have 2TB of data, 50 search terms, half of which are in Japanese. I have 3TB of data to process, cull and analyse, and my submission deadline is in 30 days. I have an electronic discovery matter and my client has requested I provide 3-5 quotations.
  • My requirements cannot be met through any of the plans, how do I initiate a RFP?"
    You can draft a simple enquiry or create a more detailed scope of work using the RFP builder. Zhiant's highly structured query system helps present proposals aligned with user requirements to allow for easy comparison and evaluation.
  • What value does Zhiant present for its users?
    Zhiant centralises a fragmented market of data experts from around the world – enabling seamless on-demand support for its users, while also reducing the overall cost of purchasing as competition thrives in the marketplace. When procuring on-demand data support, we know you're dealing with multiple proposals that are priced so uniquely that it's diffuclt to make a fair comparison. We curate suppliers based on your needs and standardise this process for you. As with most marketplaces, fee leakage after the first transaction with a supplier is commonplace, you are welcome to transact directly with your preferred supplier after your first transaction with us, however, as and when your needs change, we are here for you.
  • How are customers responding to Zhiant?
    So far, so good. Our users appreciate the efficiency and transparency our service offers.
  • Why work with Zhiant?
    Transparency is one of our core values at Zhiant – and we are committed to telling you anything you want to know about how we work, who we work with and what we stand for.
  • Does Zhiant require any on-premise software installation?
    No. Zhiant is completely web-based.
  • Does Zhiant require any kind of integration or configuration?
    No. Users are able to start using the service upon successful registration of an account.
  • Is Zhiant mobile-responsive?
    Yes. However, there are limitations with the preview panel and UX for the RFP builder in the mobile version.
  • How do I activate my account?
    Check your email for the activation link.
  • What should I do if my activation link has expired?
    Reset password procedure.
  • What should I do if I have not received an email from Zhiant to activate my account?
    Please check your spam/junk folders for the email. If you are still unable to locate it, please email info@zhiant.com for support.
  • I'd like to start using Zhiant, where do I start?"
    You can start using Zhiant immediately after making your plan selection and registering your account. We would be happy to assist you with onboarding to ensure you make the most of the service.
  • What are the terms for your subscription options?
    We offer three type of subscription plans which define the applicable fees on a monthly basis. Plans are charged in 3-month periods. The first 3-month payment is processed upfront on our website with a credit on your selected tier applied to your project with your approved supplier, who will take over payments thereafter. All prices indicated are in USD.
  • How are suppliers notified to respond to the RFP?
    Only suppliers that meet your requirements are invited to provide a proposal. Notifications are via email, which may include a link to log into Zhiant to review the requirements of the RFP and respond to the Supplier. Suppliers can review RFP requests and provide a response to clients easily. If a client accepts the proposal, suppliers are notified by email and provided with the client’s contact information to commence the engagement. If suppliers require clients to sign an engagement letter, please ensure prices are consistent with those presented on the Zhiant platform, including the management fee and state that billing and payments will be made through your respective payment terms with Zhiant. The RFP outlines the bidding process and contract terms, and provides guidance on how the bid should be formatted and presented. A request for proposal for a specific program may require the company to review the bids to examine their feasibility, the health of the bidding company, and the bidder's ability to do what it proposed.
  • How long after submitting my enqury should I expect a response?
    You can expect a response to your RFP within 24-48 hours.
  • Is my identity kept private from respondents to the RFP?
    Yes. The RFP process is anonymous until a job has been accepted, at which point, the identities of the customer and supplier are lifted.
  • How do I approve a proposal and confirm the engagement?
    If you are happy to proceed with a supplier's proposal, simply click the 'Accept' button for the chosen quote.
  • How does billing work on Zhiant?
    Zhiant users must be billed through our platform.
  • How many documents are there in one gigabyte?
    Typically, the number of documents in a gigabyte ranges from 3000 to 5000, depending on the type of your data.
  • How does Zhiant charge its suppliers?
    Zhiant charges suppliers a composite rate comprised of a percentage of the approved cost estimate plus a management fee as per the following formula: Composite Rate = % of Approved Cost Estimate + Zhiant Management Fee
  • Can suppliers see which other suppliers have been invited to the RFP?
    No.
  • What data privacy and security compliance standards are required to be a supplier on Zhiant?
    Suppliers on Zhiant are required to undertake a supplier classification review in order to assess their compliance standards for user data privacy and security. Zhiant only works with suppliers that are able to ensure data is encrypted while at rest and in motion using no less than a combination of AES-256 disk encryption, Transparent Data Encryption, TLS/SSL and IPsec. Where using suppliers that host with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the following certification standards or a combination of, are expected unless otherwise stated: - ISO 27001, 27017, 27018 - AICAPA SOC 1, SOC 2 - HIPAA - PCI DSS Level 1 Where using suppliers that host with Microsoft Azure, the following certification standards or a combination of, are expected unless otherwise stated: - ISO 27001, HIPAA, FedRAMP, SSAE-16 SOC 1 AND SOC 2, ISO 27018, PCI DSS, and a many more industry certifications for customer advocacy and privacy protection. - Proactive threat intelligence, hunting, and investigations - Partnerships with RedLock, Splunk, IT-ISAC, and more - Mechanisms for how user credentials are managed, including identification, authentication and non-repudiation
  • What does Zhiant's supplier compliance classification review evaluate?
    The following are some of the key attributes assessed before suppliers are invited to respond to RFPs on Zhiant: - End-to-end encryption of all your data in-transit across the Internet and when stored at-rest in the cloud - Sophisticated and granular user access controls for role-based authentication and control over the precise data each user and cannot see - ISO 27001, 27017 and 27018, SOC 2, SOC 3, CSA STAR, CJIS Security Policy, HIPPA BAA and IRS 1075 certifications Baseline complaince standards: ISO 27001, 27017 and 27018, SOC 2, SOC 3, CSA STAR, CJIS Security Policy, HIPPA BAA and IRS 1075
  • What data protection laws do suppliers on Zhiant support?
    Suppliers on Zhiant are assessed for a range of compliance requirements depending on the residency of the data, some of these include: - GDPR - PDPA - CCPA - DPA 2018 - China Internet Security Law
  • What control do I have over the region (jurisdiction) where my data resides when using suppliers on Zhiant?
    The suppliers on Zhiant are located all around the world, and have the ability to retain your data within a designated region of your preference. This ensures replication occurs within the same legal jurisdiction at all times. The physical storage of data on servers in data centres within a country or jurisdiction may be required by some of your clients. Zhiant can help to build country or jurisdiction-specific requirements into the SLAs (fees apply). Clients should query and know the physical location of where their data is stored, and if exchanged across borders through email or other cloud applications which may be permissible, if it is encrypted.
  • In what regions is Zhiant's service available?
    Vendors on Zhiant operate all over the world, so whether you need a single provider to handle your global project or a team of vendors handling individual tasks in various cities, Zhiant can assist. Some of the regions in which we operate include: - APAC - EMEA - US
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