ZIngest – Data Ingestion Tool

ZIngest is Zapata Technology’s highly customizable and scalable automated Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) tool for data ingestion, mining, and extraction. Deployed in the U.S. Army’s DCGS-A program, ZIngest provides better management, improved scalability, and reliability compared to legacy tools such as FeedPipes and JPipeline.

What ZIngest Does

ZIngest greatly simplifies data ingestion and replication, considerably reducing the time required to configure, change, and maintain data sources. The platform provides an automated data pipeline for seamless data conditioning — taking raw, multi-format intelligence data and transforming it into structured, searchable, and actionable information.

ZIngest is integrable with third-party software including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and big data technologies. It features a full GUI for building, managing, and monitoring data flow, making complex ETL operations accessible to both data engineers and intelligence analysts.

Key Capabilities

Automated ETL Processing: Configurable data flow templates for ingestion, replication, and mitigation across multiple data formats and protocols
Text & Classification Extraction: Extracts text content and CAPCO security classification markings from images and binary documents
Apache NiFi Integration: Deep integration with Apache NiFi for scalable, distributed data flow management with visual pipeline design
DCGS-A Templates: Bundled with a dozen data flow templates purpose-built for the U.S. Army’s DCGS-A intelligence program
Multi-Classification Data Handling: Processes data across multiple security classification levels with proper data segregation
NLP Integration: Connects with natural language processing engines for entity extraction, sentiment analysis, and language translation

Operational Deployment

ZIngest is actively deployed supporting U.S. Army and USASOC intelligence operations. As part of the FORSCOM Intelligence Warfighting Function program, ZIngest provides data ingestion and analytic processing for DCGS-A systems. The platform also supports the USASOC Modular Mission Environment (MME), enabling cross-domain data flow from partner and open-source data repositories to centralized data lakes for AI/ML analytics.

How ZIngest Compares

Unlike general-purpose commercial ETL tools, ZIngest is purpose-built for defense and intelligence environments. It handles classified data with proper security controls, understands military data formats and CAPCO markings, and integrates directly with intelligence systems of record. ZIngest replaces legacy tools like FeedPipes and JPipeline with a modern, scalable architecture that reduces configuration time and improves data reliability.

Technical Specifications

Architecture: Modular, scalable ETL framework with GUI management interface
Integration: Apache NiFi, Elasticsearch, NLP engines, graph databases, big data platforms
Data Formats: Supports structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data across military intelligence formats
Security: Classified environment ready (TS/SCI), ITAR compliant, CAPCO-aware
Monitoring: Integrated with ZMonitor for real-time pipeline health monitoring
Deployment: On-premises, cloud (IL4/IL5), and hybrid environments

ZIngest brings data engineers, intel analysts, and mission managers together in obtaining, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence. All development follows Zapata Technology’s CMMI Level 3 and ISO 9001:2015 certified processes.