Understanding the Arc ecosystem
In 2026, Arc's apps — UDBapp, Geo, Beam, and StrideTV — were updated to work together under a single account.
One Arc account gives you access to all Arc apps and the Admin Dashboard. The apps can also share information with each other, like your organization's member lists, group structures, and attendance data. Each app includes an overview screen that shows which other Arc apps are connected and surfaces relevant shared data.
The sections below explain how Arc is organized, who can do what, and how to get started.
How Arc is organized
All Arc apps share the same organizational structure. When you set up that structure in one app, it carries over to all your other Arc apps automatically. Users can belong to any number of Organizations, Subjects, and Groups, as long as a license exists for at least one Arc app associated with it.
Organization
The top level of the structure. An Organization typically represents a school, university, drum corps, or independent ensemble. Every Organization contains at least one Subject and one Group.
Subject
One level below the Organization. Subjects represent distinct departments or ensembles within an Organization — for example, Band, Orchestra, or Choir at a school. Smaller organizations may have just one Subject, which often shares a name with the Organization itself.
Group
One level below the Subject. Groups divide a Subject into more specific sections, such as Marching Band, Pit, and Winterguard, or Varsity and JV teams. Like Subjects, a smaller organization may have just one Group.
Subgroup
The most flexible level. Subgroups are optional and can be created, changed, or removed at any time without affecting the rest of the structure. Administrators use Subgroups to organize participants for specific purposes — like targeting a message, controlling file access, or grouping Members by responsibility ("Prop Crew") or temporary assignment ("Bus 1").
Who can do what
Every Arc user has a role that determines what they can see and do within an app. Roles work differently depending on your account type:
Administrators have Administrator status across every Subject and Group in their Organization.
Participants (Staff and Members) are assigned a role on a Group-by-Group basis and can hold different roles in different Groups.
Administrators can also customize access for specific roles, Subgroups, or individual users using Smart Access Sets.
Administrator
The highest level of access. Administrators manage app licenses, forms, payment records, and the overall structure of Subjects and Groups. Every Subject, Group, and Subgroup requires at least one Administrator. Administrators use their Arc account to log in to the Admin Dashboard and apps.
Staff
A participant role with elevated privileges compared to Members. Staff access additional features specific to each app.
Member
The standard participant role, with access to app features and information relevant to them.
How to get started
How you get started depends on your role and whether you already have an Arc account.
Administrators
How you create your account depends on your situation:
You placed the order. After ordering, you'll receive an email with instructions to claim the Arc account created during the ordering process.
Someone else placed the order. Create an Arc account through any Arc app using your Organization's Subject code and Admin code.
You already have an Arc account. Log in to any Arc app with your existing account, then join the new Organization using its codes.
Participants (Members and Staff)
Participants typically create an Arc account during onboarding, guided by an Administrator.
New to Arc. Create your Arc account within the app using the codes provided by your Administrator.
You already have an Arc account. Log in to any Arc app with your existing account, then join the new Organization using its codes.
Existing Arc account holders
Arc accounts are new as of the 2026 app updates — all users will need to create a new account. Once created, that account works across all Arc apps and any additional Organizations you join.