For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.archera.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.archera.ai/help-center/what-is-archera.md).
# What is Archera?
Archera is a **free cloud cost optimization platform** that helps organizations reduce their cloud spending by **20-30%** through intelligent commitment management across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
### The Problem We Solve
Cloud costs are spiraling out of control for most organizations:
* **On-demand pricing** is the most expensive way to run cloud infrastructure
* **Native commitment tools** are complex, risky, and lack flexibility
* **Multi-cloud management** requires juggling multiple cost tools and strategies
* **Long-term commitments** (1-3 years) create risk when business needs change
### How Archera Helps
| | |
|--------------------------|---------------------------|
| **Intelligent Optimization** | **AI-Powered Analysis** |
| | * Analyzes your actual usage patterns |
| | * Identifies optimal commitment strategies |
| | * Provides risk-adjusted recommendations |
| | * Continuously optimizes over time |
| **Risk Protection** | **Guaranteed Commitments** |
| | * 30-day minimum terms (vs 1-3 years native) |
| | * Downside Protection |
| | * Insurance against underutilization |
| | * Transfer flexibility between accounts |
| **Multi-Cloud Unity** | **Unified Management** |
| | * Single platform for all cloud providers |
| | * Cross-cloud optimization strategies |
| | * Consolidated reporting and analytics |
| | * Simplified cost governance |
### Who Uses Archera?
Direct Customers
**Organizations optimizing their own cloud costs**
Use Archera’s free platform to analyze your cloud spending, get intelligent recommendations, and implement risk-free commitments with flexible terms.
Channel Partners
**Partners managing multiple customer organizations**
Use the Partner API to onboard customers, manage their optimization strategies, and create marketplace offers through programs like AWS CPPO, Microsoft MPO or ISV-to-CSP Private Offer, or Google MCPO.
## API Overview
### Which APIs Do You Need?
Partners - Use Both APIs
**As a channel partner, you’ll use BOTH APIs:**
**Partner API (v2)** for:
* Registering new customer organizations
* Managing customer onboarding workflows
* Setting up cloud integrations (AWS CloudFormation, Azure auth)
* Tracking partner-specific metrics
**Public API (v1)** for:
* Accessing each customer’s commitment plans and metrics
* Retrieving cost optimization data for reporting
* Managing commitment plans on behalf of customers
* Building customer-facing dashboards
**Authentication:** Partner API key works for both APIs
Direct Customers - Use Public API Only
**As a direct customer, you typically only need:**
**Public API (v1)** for:
* Accessing your organization’s commitment plans
* Retrieving cost and utilization metrics
* Integrating with internal tools and dashboards
* Automating cost optimization workflows
**Authentication:** Standard API key from your Archera account
## Ready to Get Started?
### Learn More About Archera
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Understand Rate Optimization**
Learn how rate optimization works and why it’s more effective than usage optimization
[What is Rate Optimization? →](https://github.com/reserved-ai/archera-public-docs/blob/main/public/HelpCenter/rate-optimization.md)
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Discover Insured Commitments**
See how Archera’s guaranteed commitments eliminate the risks of traditional cloud commitments
[Learn About Insured Commitments →](https://github.com/reserved-ai/archera-public-docs/blob/main/public/HelpCenter/insured-commitments.md)
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Start Your Free Account**
Connect your cloud billing data and begin optimizing within 24-48 hours
[Sign Up with Archera →](https://github.com/reserved-ai/archera-public-docs/blob/main/public/HelpCenter/getting-started/how-to-sign-up-with-archera.md)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
### API Integration Opportunities
Once you understand Archera’s value, here’s how you can integrate it programmatically into your workflows:
Custom Cost Dashboards
**Build Internal Reporting Tools**
Use the Public API to create custom dashboards that show:
* Real-time cost optimization metrics
* Commitment utilization and performance
* Savings projections and ROI analysis
* Multi-cloud cost visibility in your BI tools
**API Endpoints:** `/commitment-plans`, `/metrics`, `/cost-analysis`
[Explore Public API →](https://docs.archera.ai/api-reference/public-api/public-api-reference)
Automated Optimization Workflows
**Integrate Cost Optimization into CI/CD**
Automate commitment purchasing and optimization:
* Trigger commitment purchases based on usage patterns
* Set up automated alerts for optimization opportunities
* Integrate with infrastructure-as-code workflows
* Create approval workflows for large commitments
**API Endpoints:** `/commitment-plans/purchase`, `/automation-policies`, `/recommendations`
[View API Examples →](#quick-api-examples)
Multi-Customer Management (Partners)
**Scale Cost Optimization Across Customers**
Use the Partner API to manage multiple customer organizations:
* Programmatically onboard new customers
* Deploy cloud integrations at scale
* Generate customer-specific optimization reports
* Track partner revenue and performance metrics
**API Endpoints:** `/organizations`, `/integrations`, `/partner-metrics`
[Partner API Documentation →](https://docs.archera.ai/api-reference/partner-api/partner-api)
AWS Marketplace Integration
**Create CPPO Offers Programmatically**
Automate AWS Marketplace offer creation:
* Use AWS Catalog API to create CPPO offers
* Integrate with Archera’s resale authorization
* Track marketplace performance and revenue
* Manage offer lifecycle programmatically
**Implementation:** AWS Catalog API + Archera Partner API
[CPPO Guide →](https://docs.archera.ai/help-center/partner-guides/create-cppo-offers-for-archera-subscription)
Cost Data Export & Analytics
**Extract Data for Advanced Analytics**
Pull Archera data into your data warehouse:
* Export commitment and utilization data
* Integrate with existing FinOps workflows
* Build predictive cost models
* Create custom allocation and chargeback systems
**API Endpoints:** `/export`, `/utilization-data`, `/cost-allocation`
[Data Export Examples →](#quick-api-examples)
### Quick API Examples
Get started with these common API integration patterns:
Get Commitment Recommendations
**Retrieve AI-powered optimization recommendations**
```bash
curl -X GET "https://api.archera.ai/v1/recommendations" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json"
```
Track Cost Savings
**Monitor your optimization performance**
```bash
curl -X GET "https://api.archera.ai/v1/metrics/savings?period=30d" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"
```
Create Customer Organization (Partners)
**Onboard a new customer via Partner API**
```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.archera.ai/v2/organizations" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_PARTNER_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{\n "name": "Customer Company",\n "email": "admin@customer.com",\n "cloud_providers": ["aws", "azure"]\n }'
```