---
title: "RAG & Vector Search on Your Data | Shipshape Data"
description: "We build retrieval-augmented generation and vector search on your governed data, so AI answers come from verified sources, not guesswork."
canonical: https://shipshapedata.com/services/search-retrieval/
language: en-GB
---

# RAG & vector search

> We build retrieval-augmented generation and vector search on your governed data, so AI answers come from verified sources, not guesswork.

Section: Home > Services > Search & retrieval

Canonical page: https://shipshapedata.com/services/search-retrieval/

On this page:

- Grounded answers, not guesses
- What you get
  - Grounded in your data
  - Millisecond retrieval
  - Reusable across products
  - Traceable data
- Vector databases and RAG, explained
- How we deliver
  - Define the data scope
  - Embed and index
  - Architect the vector store
  - Connect it to your model
  - Govern and improve
- Questions we hear most

## Frequently asked questions

### What is vector search?

Vector search finds information by meaning rather than exact keywords. Your content is turned into numerical embeddings and stored in a vector database; a query is embedded the same way, and the closest matches are retrieved. It's what lets a RAG system pull the right passage from thousands of documents in milliseconds.

### What is a RAG database?

RAG stands for retrieval-augmented generation. It pairs a vector database with a language model, so the model retrieves relevant, verified content before it answers, instead of relying only on what it learned during training.

### Why does retrieval matter for accuracy?

Because it gives the model something real to check its answer against. A model that retrieves your verified content before writing an answer hallucinates far less than one working from memory alone.

### Do we need to pick a specific database technology?

No. We design for your data, performance, and governance needs first, then choose the vector store that fits, rather than defaulting to one vendor.

### Can this connect to systems we already run?

Yes. We integrate retrieval into your existing chatbots, internal tools, and API workflows rather than asking you to stand up a new destination.

### How do you keep retrieval accurate once it is live?

Each system includes automated evaluation, embedding validation, and observability dashboards, so accuracy is monitored on an ongoing basis rather than assumed after launch.

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Shipshape Data is a London AI consultancy: we build the data foundation your AI depends on, then the AI on top. Site guide for agents: https://shipshapedata.com/llms.txt | Contact: hello@shipshapedata.com