Informant has two major functions. It provides a bridge between departmental databases, and it acts as a search engine to probe all available databases for information requests keyed into the software. Informant works across a distributed network, checking each and every computer connected to it, regardless of the number of computers, their locations, or their data formats. As long as they are connected to the informant server, they can be searched for information. Informant is designed to be accessed from a desktop PC, a hardened laptop mounted in a patrol car, a text-enabled cell phone, or a wireless PDA. A 128-bit encryption protects Informant data from hacking and allows departments to control which information is shared. Informant has been particularly useful in the Hampton Roads Region of Virginia, which encompasses the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The seven police departments that serve the region do not share the same computer technology and databases, but offenders typically live in one jurisdiction and conduct their criminal activities across jurisdictions. With the help of a $1 million Federal grant, the seven departments hired Templar Corporation to deploy Informant over their CRIMES (Comprehensive Regional Information Management Exchange System) network. A year after testing began in July 2001, Informant was implemented across the region. Given the easy and quick training required to use Informant, it became instantly effective in tracking suspects across jurisdictions. In another instance of Informant's use, San Diego, CA, has 45 local, State, and Federal agencies that use Informant to drive the automated Regional Justice Information System. Through Informant, 2,500 workstations across the region are able to share data on names, vehicles, incidents, and photos, all on a secure statewide Intranet.