UDB is now brought to you by Arc
This year, our company is evolving its name and branding to better represent the broad community we serve. Our flagship apps—UDBapp, Beam, StrideTV—will retain the same identity you know and trust. Our new name, Arts Reimagined Collective, or Arc, communicates our commitment to building apps and providing services that modernize how performing artists hone and rehearse their craft.
Introducing Geo
UDBapp Pro users have come to love our attendance management feature that utilizes geo-fencing for check-in, ensuring performers are on-site and ready to begin. We've taken this core functionality and created a dedicated app, called Geo, to streamline rehearsal planning and attendance tracking all in one place. With expanded functionality, like dedicated calendars per ensemble and public visibility, Geo operates as the one "source of truth" for your rehearsal and event information.
Field Notes for drill page annotations
One of our most requested features is arriving in 2026—tools to add annotations to share with your ensemble. Use a variety of colors to draw arrows, highlight performers, and drop text pins. Annotations are organized in layers, allowing you to separate personal and shared notations. As with other custom view elements, Field Notes can be toggled on and off as needed. This new feature enables directors, staff, and performers to share information in a whole new way.
The Control Wheel
The drill screen is UDB's core feature. We've redesigned it for easier one-handed interaction. The control wheel packs a lot of functionality into a small space. Move forward and back quickly by scrolling on the outside edge while using the + and - buttons for incremental steps. The central UDB button reveals additional options for changing drill and viewing notes. Swipe the widget panel in the top right to move between Tap ID, a metronome, and custom views. The control wheel should feel right at home for returning users and easy to learn for newcomers.
Arc accounts for seamless integration across our apps
Starting in 2026, all users will create and use Arc accounts to login to UDB, Beam, StrideTV, and Geo. Arc accounts can be created directly in the app or by using your existing Google or Apple credentials. Your Arc account will migrate with you into any of our other apps and make it easy to manage your profile and join new organizations with just a few taps. For administrators, our newly renovated web dashboard will be accessed via your Arc account instead of codes and rotating passwords.
Unified ensemble and group organization
Arc accounts make it easy to manage students across multiple ensembles and seasons. UDB, Beam, and Geo share a common structure, letting your students and licenses move as your needs change throughout the year.
Need to create a pep band ensemble with Beam accounts? Share codes with students from your existing marching band group and onboard new performers with a few taps. During the winter season, shift licenses from your marching band group to the winterguard to give them UDB access. The new unified roster gives you the flexibility to manage multiple groups seamlessly.
Refreshed user interface
One of the first changes you will notice this year is the refreshed interface and color palette. Our goal was to make UDB feel highly familiar to our returning customers while also bringing the app into alignment with modern design principles. For example, the app now supports color themes (dark & light) as well as improved readability and navigation throughout. Additionally, the app now utilizes a portrait perspective in all areas except when viewing drill.
Modernized settings structure
In order to intuitively manage licenses, rosters, permissions, drill files, and groups, we refreshed UDB's settings menu. The new structure flows logically from organization-wide elements at the top down to specific groups. Each section has been enhanced with recognizable icons and buttons that function in ways you would expect. The new vertical orientation allows you to comfortably manage nearly every aspect of your organization from within the app.
