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Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to common questions about using Archy for enterprise architecture.

Getting Started​

Q: What's the difference between Archy and traditional architecture tools?​

A: Archy combines AI consultation with systematic documentation. Instead of starting with empty templates, you have conversations with an AI architecture expert who helps you discover, analyze, and document your architecture. The AI provides guidance, asks the right questions, and generates initial documentation that you can refine.

Q: Do I need to be an Enterprise Architect to use Archy?​

A: No! While Archy is powerful for Enterprise Architects, it's designed for anyone involved in understanding or improving business systems. Business analysts, IT operations teams, technical leaders, and even non-technical stakeholders can use Archy effectively.

Q: How long does it take to get value from Archy?​

A: Most users see value within their first 15-30 minute session. You'll walk away with documented systems, integration insights, and actionable recommendations. Significant value (comprehensive architecture understanding) typically develops over 2-4 weeks of regular use.

Q: Is my data secure with Archy?​

A: Yes. Archy uses enterprise-grade security with encryption in transit and at rest, SOC 2 compliance, and strict access controls. Your team's data is isolated and never shared with other customers. You maintain full ownership and can export your data at any time.

Using Archy Effectively​

Q: What should I prepare before my first meeting with Archy?​

A: Identify one system or process you want to document, gather any existing documentation, and define what you want to accomplish (e.g., "understand our CRM integrations" or "document our order processing workflow"). Having 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted time is also helpful.

Q: How specific should I be when talking to Archy?​

A: Be as specific as possible. Instead of "our system," say "our Salesforce CRM system." Instead of "it connects to other things," say "it syncs customer data to our marketing automation platform via API every hour." Specificity helps Archy provide better guidance and generate more accurate documentation.

Q: Can Archy understand technical jargon and company-specific terms?​

A: Archy understands most technical terminology, but explain company-specific terms, acronyms, and internal system names. For example: "Our customer database, which we call CUSTDB internally, is actually a PostgreSQL system that stores..." This context helps Archy provide more relevant advice.

Q: What if I don't know the answer to Archy's questions?​

A: That's perfectly normal! Say something like "I'm not sure about the exact hosting setup, but I can find out" or "I don't know the technical details, but it's a cloud-based solution." Archy can work with partial information and will help you identify what information would be most valuable to gather.

Technical Questions​

Q: What browsers and devices work with Archy?​

A: Archy works best with modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on desktops and laptops. While mobile devices can access some features, video meetings with the AI work best on devices with cameras and microphones.

Q: Why can't I hear or see Archy during meetings?​

A: Check that:

  • Your browser has permission to use camera/microphone
  • You're not muting the browser tab
  • Your firewall isn't blocking video connections
  • You have a stable internet connection (minimum 1 Mbps) Try refreshing the page or switching browsers if problems persist.

Q: How long are meeting recordings kept?​

A: Meeting recordings are kept according to your subscription plan:

  • Free trial: 30 days
  • Pro plan: 1 year
  • Enterprise: Configurable (up to 7 years) You can download recordings at any time, and you're notified before automatic deletion.

Q: Can I use Archy offline?​

A: No, Archy requires an internet connection for AI processing and real-time collaboration features. However, you can export your documentation for offline viewing and reference.

Account and Billing​

Q: How does team pricing work?​

A: Archy charges per team (not per user). A team can have unlimited members on Pro and Enterprise plans. The free trial includes up to 5 team members and 60 total meeting minutes.

Q: Can I upgrade/downgrade my plan?​

A: Yes, you can change plans at any time from Settings > Billing. Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades take effect at your next billing cycle. You'll be charged/credited proportionally for plan changes.

Q: What happens if I cancel my subscription?​

A: You retain access to your data for 30 days after cancellation. During this time, you can export your documentation and meeting recordings. After 30 days, your account and data are permanently deleted.

Q: Do you offer discounts for educational institutions or nonprofits?​

A: Yes! We offer 50% discounts for qualifying educational institutions and registered nonprofits. Contact sales@askarchy.ai with documentation of your status.

Integrations and Data​

Q: How does the Workato integration work?​

A: Connect your Workato account through Settings > Integrations. Archy imports your recipes as integration records, connections as system instances, and analyzes dependencies automatically. The integration is read-only and doesn't modify your Workato setup.

Q: Can I integrate with other tools like ServiceNow, Jira, or Confluence?​

A: Basic integrations are available through our API. Enterprise plans include custom integrations. We're actively developing native integrations for popular enterprise tools. Check our roadmap or contact support for specific integration requests.

Q: How do I export my data from Archy?​

A: Go to Settings > Data Export, select the data types you want (systems, meetings, documents, etc.), choose your format (JSON, CSV, PDF), and click "Generate Export." You'll receive an email when the export is ready for download.

Q: Can I import existing architecture documentation?​

A: Currently, you can copy and paste content into Archy documents, or reference existing documentation during meetings with Archy. We're developing bulk import capabilities for future releases.

Advanced Usage​

Q: What's Interview Mode and when should I use it?​

A: Interview Mode is for structured conversations with external stakeholders (vendors, contractors, partners). It provides access controls so interviewers can see results while keeping your internal architecture confidential. Use it for vendor evaluations, requirement gathering, or external consultations.

Q: How do I share Archy content with people outside my organization?​

A: You can:

  • Export documents as PDFs to share externally
  • Share meeting recordings (with privacy controls)
  • Use Interview Mode for controlled external access
  • Generate summary reports for stakeholders Direct access to Archy requires team membership.

Q: Can Archy help with compliance requirements like SOX, HIPAA, or GDPR?​

A: Yes! Archy can help you:

  • Tag systems with compliance requirements
  • Track data classification and handling
  • Document control implementations
  • Generate audit reports with evidence trails However, Archy doesn't provide legal compliance advice - consult your compliance team for specific requirements.

Q: How does Archy's AI learn about my environment?​

A: Archy learns from your conversations and documentation within your team. It doesn't learn from other customers' data. The AI remembers context from previous meetings and gets smarter about your specific environment over time, but all learning stays within your team boundary.

Troubleshooting​

Q: Why is Archy giving me incorrect information about my systems?​

A: Archy generates initial documentation based on your conversations, but you should always review and correct it. Click "Edit" on any generated content to fix inaccuracies. Archy learns from your corrections and provides better suggestions over time.

Q: Meeting recordings aren't generating transcripts. What's wrong?​

A: Check that:

  • Your microphone is working and you're speaking clearly
  • The meeting lasted more than 2 minutes (minimum for transcription)
  • You have a stable internet connection during the meeting
  • Transcription isn't disabled in your account settings Contact support if problems persist.

Q: Why can't I connect my Workato account?​

A: Verify that:

  • You have a Workato Professional account (or higher) with API access
  • Your API token has the correct permissions (read access to recipes and connections)
  • You're using the correct User ID from your Workato account settings
  • Your Archy subscription includes Workato integration (not available on free trial)

Q: Some team members can't see certain systems or meetings. Why?​

A: Check the access controls:

  • Team membership: Ensure they're added to your team
  • Meeting privacy settings: Some meetings may be private or have restricted access
  • Interview mode: External interviews may not be visible to all team members
  • Subscription limits: Free trials have member limits

Best Practices​

Q: How often should I meet with Archy?​

A: It depends on your goals:

  • Getting started: 2-3 sessions per week for the first month
  • Active documentation: Weekly sessions for ongoing architecture work
  • Maintenance mode: Monthly check-ins to keep documentation current
  • Project-driven: Sessions as needed for specific initiatives

Q: Should I document everything in Archy or focus on key systems?​

A: Start with business-critical systems and work outward. Focus on:

  • Systems that support critical business processes
  • Complex integration points
  • Systems undergoing change or causing problems
  • Areas where you lack clear documentation Don't try to document everything at once - build comprehensively over time.

Q: How do I get my team to adopt Archy?​

A:

  • Start with success stories: Document a problematic system and show the value
  • Invite collaboration: Include team members in meetings and reviews
  • Share insights: Use meeting recordings for team education
  • Address concerns: Provide training and support for hesitant team members
  • Show business impact: Demonstrate how Archy saves time and improves decisions

Getting Help​

Q: Where can I get more help with Archy?​

A:

  • In-app help: Click the help icon (?) for contextual guidance
  • Ask Archy directly: Bring questions to your meetings with the AI
  • Documentation: Browse these guides for detailed instructions
  • Email support: support@askarchy.ai for technical issues
  • Live chat: Available for Pro and Enterprise customers

Q: Do you offer training or consulting services?​

A: We offer:

  • Self-service training: Through these documentation guides
  • Recorded webinars: Available in your account
  • Enterprise onboarding: Dedicated support for Enterprise customers
  • Consulting services: Architecture consulting through our professional services team Contact sales@askarchy.ai for consulting inquiries.

Q: How do I request new features?​

A: We welcome feature requests! Send them to:

  • Product feedback: feedback@askarchy.ai
  • Support tickets: For specific functionality needs
  • User community: Join our user community for discussions and voting on features
  • Customer success: For Enterprise customers, work with your customer success manager

Still have questions?

We're here to help you succeed with AI-assisted enterprise architecture!