> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.archways.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Glossary

> [accordion] AI Vendor Readiness
>
> The workflow for identifying which vendors in a software estate use AI, mapping how it's used, and collecting the evidence needed to assess exposure before approval, renewal or expansion. Covers the EU AI Act.

> [accordion] Auto-renewal clause
>
> A contract term that renews a vendor agreement by default once the notice period closes, unless action is taken beforehand.

> [accordion] Capability Framework
>
> The model Archways scores every vendor against. Every vendor in the 175,000+ profiled is mapped to the same capability framework and scored against a customer's real requirements, not a generic template, which is what makes vendors comparable to each other and to what's already owned.

> [accordion] Capability Overlap
>
> Where two or more tools in a portfolio provide the same or similar functionality. On average, 10 to 20% of the tools customers evaluate already overlap with something they own.

> [accordion] CMDB (Configuration Management Database)
>
> A system such as ServiceNow or LeanIX that records what applications exist and how they connect. Provides visibility into the estate but doesn't guide what should change in it.

> [accordion] Decision Record
>
> The structured output of a renewal, evaluation or rationalisation decision: the outcome, the options considered, the criteria used, the trade-offs, the supporting evidence, and who was involved. Built to be shared, reviewed and revisited, so context isn't lost by the next cycle.

> [accordion] GPAI Code of Practice
>
> A reference point in AI vendor readiness reviews for assessing general-purpose AI providers under the EU AI Act.

> [accordion] Notice Period
>
> The window before a contract's renewal date in which a vendor must be notified of non-renewal. Once it closes, the contract typically renews by default regardless of fit.

> [accordion] Portfolio Intelligence
>
> A shared, decision-ready view of the software estate spanning inventory, capabilities, contracts and decisions in one place, assembled from the CMDB, SAM and contract data teams already have.

> [accordion] Rationalisation
>
> Identifying overlapping or underused software and tying the fix to a real point of action, typically a renewal or review cycle, so consolidation gets implemented rather than staying a list.

> [accordion] Renewal Triage
>
> Sorting upcoming renewals into action required, monitor, or no action required, so effort goes to the renewals that carry financial, risk or architectural weight.

> [accordion] Research Agent (Archways Research Agent)
>
> The system powering vendor scoring and evaluations. Combines public vendor documentation, licensed financial and risk datasets, and direct vendor submissions to continuously profile 175,000+ vendors for capability, pricing, security and financial signals.

> [accordion] SAM (Software Asset Management)
>
> Licensing and usage tracking tools, such as Flexera, that show what's being used and whether it's correctly licensed. Answer what you have, not whether to keep it.

> [accordion] Three Renewal Outcomes
>
> Every renewal Archways processes resolves to one of three calls: **Renew**, when fit and cost are validated against current needs; **Replace**, when overlap, risk or misfit is confirmed; **Renegotiate**, when credible alternatives create leverage.


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