The database of iconographic materials (currently under construction) will be free of charge, platform-independent (run on any computer using a standard web browser), provide full Unicode support, and will be easy to use.

The database will contain the following five mandatory fields: artist(s), year(s) of creation, title(s), type of object and location information, allow for multiple fields where necessary.

A detailed style guide will help cataloguers to resolve questions. The database will support multiple languages, include controlled vocabulary, international metadata standards, and provide a powerful and flexible search interface. It will allow for the possibility of searching within multiple database fields and will permit searching using keywords, boolean operators, and truncation.

Search results will be able to be downloaded and sent by e-mail. The RIdIM website will provide full access to the RIdIM database and – via links – to existing large databases containing information contained in other iconographic databases around the world.