Today, CI units operate in a wide variety of forms. The most common variations are as follows:

• CI is produced by the end user for the end user's sole benefit.

• CI is produced by an end user for the use of that end user as well as others, usually in the same unit or area of operation.

• CI is produced by an analyst, sometimes with clerical and/or research support. The finished intelligence is generated for a small number of end users, usually in the same SBU.

• CI is produced by an analyst, sometimes with clerical and/or research support. The intelligence is generated for a large number of end users, usually spread throughout the organization or firm.

• CI is produced on a onetime basis by outside firms. It is acquired by a manager or analyst for distribution to, and use by, a specific end user.

• CI is derived from outside reports and/or produced by outside firms. It is acquired by a manager or analyst and then repacked, sometimes with additional research, for distribution to a number of end users. Typically this involves a large number of end users or even posting on an Intranet.

These forms of operation are not mutually exclusive. For example, it may be the case that a CI manager does research and provides analysis for a senior officer in, for example, strategic planning and also contracts with outside research firms who provide onetime reports for the marketing department. Alternately, an information center may acquire prepackaged reports from outside vendors for an entire SBU and also conduct current secondary research to be posted on an Intranet.