Archy
Implementation PlaybookDSO · Group Practice

Archy

Step-by-step implementation guide — pre-implementation checklist, onboarding, staff training, go-live runbook, and ROI tracking.

Archy — Implementation Playbook (DSO)

Archy Implementation Playbook for DSOs

Practice Management AI Platform Deployment Guide


1. Executive Summary

What Archy Does

Archy is a cloud-native, all-in-one practice management platform built specifically for modern dental organizations. It combines scheduling, patient communication, clinical charting, treatment planning, billing, and analytics into a unified system with AI-powered automation for appointment optimization, patient engagement, insurance verification, and operational insights.

Why DSOs Benefit from AI-Powered Practice Management at Scale

For multi-location dental organizations, the compound advantages of a unified AI practice management system are transformative:

  • Standardization Without Rigidity: Deploy consistent workflows, protocols, and reporting across 15–50+ locations while allowing appropriate local customization—eliminating the operational variance that plagues legacy PMS deployments
  • Aggregated Intelligence: AI models improve with data volume; your collective patient interactions, scheduling patterns, and revenue cycle data train smarter predictions for appointment no-shows, treatment acceptance, and insurance optimization across your entire portfolio
  • Centralized Visibility: Real-time operational dashboards replace the "spreadsheet consolidation" burden, enabling VPs of Operations to identify underperforming locations before monthly P&Ls reveal the damage
  • Reduced IT Burden: Cloud-native architecture eliminates per-location server maintenance, patching, and backup management—your IT team manages one platform, not 30 separate installations
  • Unified Patient Experience: Patients moving between your locations experience seamless continuity rather than re-registration and fractured records

Expected Timeline: Decision to Full Deployment

Phase Timeline Scope
Pre-Implementation Weeks 1–2 Infrastructure prep, stakeholder alignment, baseline capture
Wave 1 Pilot Weeks 3–6 2–3 pilot locations, learning capture
Wave 2 Expansion Weeks 7–12 5–8 locations based on pilot learnings
Wave 3 Full Deployment Weeks 13–20 Remaining locations
Optimization Weeks 21–26 Fine-tuning, ROI validation, long-term governance

Total timeline for 25-location DSO: 5–6 months to full deployment with optimization phase


2. Pre-Implementation Checklist (Weeks 1–2)

Technical Requirements

Hardware Requirements (Per Location)

Component Minimum Specification Recommended
Workstations Windows 10/11 or macOS 12+, 8GB RAM, modern browser 16GB RAM, SSD storage
Displays 1920x1080 resolution Dual monitors for clinical operatories
Tablets (if used) iPad 9th gen+ or Android 10+ tablet iPad Pro for provider use

Network Requirements

☐ Minimum 100 Mbps symmetrical internet per location (recommended: 250+ Mbps) ☐ Dedicated VLAN for practice management traffic (recommended) ☐ DNS configuration for Archy cloud domains ☐ Firewall rules allowing HTTPS traffic to Archy endpoints ☐ WiFi coverage assessment for tablet-based workflows ☐ Backup internet connection (4G/5G failover) for business continuity

Software Prerequisites

☐ Modern browser installed on all workstations (Chrome, Edge, Safari—latest versions) ☐ PDF viewer for document handling ☐ Current imaging software versions documented for integration compatibility ☐ Any location-specific specialty software identified

🔵 Vendor Onboarding Steps

Step Owner Timeline Deliverable
Execute enterprise agreement Legal/Vendor Day 1–5 Signed MSA, BAA, SOW
Complete vendor security questionnaire IT/Vendor Day 3–7 Approved security documentation
Assign dedicated Customer Success Manager Vendor Day 5 Named CSM + contact info
Schedule enterprise architecture review IT/Vendor Day 7 Technical design document
Establish support escalation contacts Operations/Vendor Day 7 Tiered support contact list
Receive sandbox/test environment access IT/Vendor Day 10 Test credentials distributed

Key Vendor Contacts to Establish

☐ Enterprise Account Executive (strategic escalation) ☐ Customer Success Manager (day-to-day relationship) ☐ Technical Implementation Lead (integration and configuration) ☐ Enterprise Support Line (Tier 2/3 escalation path) ☐ Security/Compliance Contact (for audit requests)

Data/Access Prerequisites

Credentials and Access

☐ Admin credentials for existing PMS at each pilot location ☐ Imaging system admin access (Dexis, Carestream, Schick, etc.) ☐ 🔵 Archy enterprise admin account provisioned ☐ Identity provider admin access for SSO configuration (Okta, Azure AD, etc.) ☐ Historical data export permissions verified with current PMS vendor ☐ API documentation obtained from imaging vendors

Data Inventory (Per Location)

☐ Patient demographic records count ☐ Historical appointment data (volume and date range) ☐ Treatment history records ☐ Insurance/payer information ☐ Outstanding claims and A/R data ☐ Document/imaging archive size estimate

Stakeholder Alignment

🟣 Stakeholder Alignment Map

Stakeholder Level Who Role in Implementation Communication Cadence
Board/Investors Board members, PE partners Approve initiative, expect ROI reporting Monthly summary, quarterly business review
C-Suite CEO, CFO, COO, CDO Strategic sponsors, resource allocation, go/no-go authority Bi-weekly steering committee
VP Operations VP Ops, VP Clinical Day-to-day executive sponsors, decision authority Weekly implementation call
Regional Managers RMs covering pilot regions Cascade communication, remove local blockers Weekly standup, daily during go-live
Location Office Managers OMs at each location Local implementation leads, staff coordination Daily during rollout wave
Providers Dentists, specialists Clinical validation, workflow approval Training sessions + 1:1 feedback
Clinical Staff Hygienists, assistants End users, workflow feedback Training + pulse surveys
Administrative Staff Front desk, billing, insurance End users, workflow feedback Training + pulse surveys

Approval Gates

☐ 🟣 Board notification of AI practice management initiative ☐ 🟣 C-suite approval of budget and timeline ☐ 🟣 CDO approval of clinical workflow changes ☐ VP Operations sign-off on rollout sequence ☐ IT sign-off on security and architecture requirements ☐ Legal/Compliance approval of BAA and data governance

Baseline Metrics Capture

⚠️ Critical: Capture These BEFORE Go-Live

Standardized measurement methodology must be established so cross-location comparison is valid post-implementation.

Operational Metrics (Per Location)

Metric Measurement Method Capture Period
Daily patient volume PMS appointment report 90-day average
No-show rate (No-shows / Total scheduled) × 100 90-day average
Same-day cancellation rate (Same-day cancels / Total scheduled) × 100 90-day average
Schedule utilization (Filled slots / Available slots) × 100 90-day average
Average patient wait time Check-in to chair time 30-day sample

Financial Metrics (Per Location)

Metric Measurement Method Capture Period
Case acceptance rate (Accepted treatment $ / Presented treatment $) × 100 90-day average
Production per provider per day Total production / Provider days worked 90-day average
Collections ratio Collections / Production 90-day average
Days in A/R Accounts receivable / (Annual revenue / 365) Current snapshot
Claim denial rate (Denied claims / Total claims) × 100 90-day average
First-pass claim acceptance (Clean claims / Total claims) × 100 90-day average

Staff Efficiency Metrics (Per Location)

Metric Measurement Method Capture Period
Insurance verification time Average minutes per verification 30-day sample
Scheduling call handle time Average call duration 30-day sample
Recall effectiveness (Patients scheduled / Recall attempts) × 100 90-day average
Treatment plan documentation time Average minutes per plan 30-day sample

Standardization Protocol for Baseline Capture

☐ Create centralized baseline capture spreadsheet with locked formulas ☐ Assign regional managers to validate data from their locations ☐ Schedule all baseline data pulls for same date range across locations ☐ Verify PMS report definitions are consistent (e.g., what counts as "production") ☐ Store baseline data in secured shared location with version control ☐ Sign-off from each office manager confirming data accuracy

Enterprise-Level Requirements

Network Standards Across Locations

☐ Document minimum bandwidth requirements and verify compliance at each location ☐ Standardize firewall rules template for Archy access ☐ Assess VPN requirements for centralized administration ☐ Plan for locations with substandard internet (upgrade timeline or workarounds)

Hosting Architecture Decision

🟣 Decision Required: Centralized vs. Location-Level Configuration

Approach Pros Cons Recommended When
Fully Centralized Maximum standardization, easiest reporting Less local flexibility, requires robust change management Highly standardized DSO, single specialty
Hub and Spoke Regional flexibility, faster local decisions More complex to manage, potential drift Multi-regional DSO, specialty mix
Federated Maximum local autonomy, specialty accommodation Hardest to maintain consistency, reporting complexity Highly heterogeneous portfolio, recent acquisitions

Recommendation: Hub and spoke model with strong central standards for 15–50 location DSOs

Identity and Access Management

☐ 🔵 Confirm Archy SSO compatibility with your identity provider ☐ Map organizational roles to Archy permission levels ☐ Define role-based access control (RBAC) schema ☐ Plan for de-provisioning workflow (terminations, transfers) ☐ Establish privileged access governance for enterprise admins

Centralized Credentialing

☐ Inventory all provider credentials (NPI, licenses, insurance credentialing) ☐ Determine single source of truth for credential data ☐ Plan credential data synchronization with Archy ☐ Establish re-credentialing workflow in new system


3. Location Readiness Assessment

Scoring Framework

Rate each factor 1–5 for each location, where:

  • 1 = Significant barriers, remediation required
  • 2 = Below standard, risks present
  • 3 = Meets minimum requirements
  • 4 = Above average, likely smooth adoption
  • 5 = Exceptional, strong candidate for pilot

Factor 1: IT Infrastructure Maturity

Score Network Speed Hardware Age Current PMS Version
1 <25 Mbps >7 years 3+ versions behind
2 25–50 Mbps 5–7 years 2 versions behind
3 50–100 Mbps 3–5 years 1 version behind
4 100–250 Mbps 1–3 years Current version
5 >250 Mbps + backup <1 year Current + optimized

Weight: 25%

Factor 2: Staff Tenure and Adaptability

Score Turnover Rate Tech Comfort Training History
1 >60% annual Resistant, frequent issues No tech training completed
2 40–60% annual Reluctant adopters Minimal training engagement
3 25–40% annual Average comfort Standard training completed
4 15–25% annual Comfortable, seek efficiency Proactive training participants
5 <15% annual Tech-forward, advocates Champions of previous implementations

Weight: 20%

Factor 3: Patient Volume

Score Daily Patient Volume Risk/Reward Profile
1 <15 patients/day Low impact potential
2 15–25 patients/day Manageable pilot scale
3 25–35 patients/day Good pilot balance
4 35–50 patients/day High impact, moderate risk
5 >50 patients/day Highest impact, higher risk

Weight: 15%

⚠️ Note: For pilot selection, moderate volume (score 3) is often ideal—high enough to generate meaningful data, low enough to manage issues.

Factor 4: Existing Tech Stack Compatibility

Score PMS Compatibility Imaging System Other Integrations
1 Unsupported/legacy PMS Proprietary/closed system Multiple conflicting systems
2 Limited integration available Older version, limited API Some integration conflicts
3 Standard integration path Supported system Manageable integrations
4 Well-supported PMS Modern, API-friendly Clean tech stack
5 Archy-optimized or new install Fully compatible, tested Minimal integrations needed

Weight: 25%

Factor 5: Local Champion Availability

Score Champion Presence Champion Authority Champion Bandwidth
1 No identifiable champion N/A N/A
2 Potential champion, reluctant Limited influence Overloaded currently
3 Willing champion identified Moderate influence Can allocate some time
4 Enthusiastic champion Strong team influence Bandwidth allocated
5 Multiple champions (provider + admin) Decision-making authority Dedicated implementation time

Weight: 15%

Composite Readiness Score Calculation

Composite Score = (IT × 0.25) + (Staff × 0.20) + (Volume × 0.15) + (Tech Stack × 0.25) + (Champion × 0.15)
Composite Score Readiness Tier Rollout Recommendation
4.0–5.0 Tier 1 – Pilot Ready Candidate for Wave 1
3.0–3.9 Tier 2 – Ready Wave 2 after pilot learnings applied
2.0–2.9 Tier 3 – Conditional Wave 3 with remediation plan
1.0–1.9 Tier 4 – Not Ready Defer until remediation complete

Readiness Assessment Template

Location IT (1–5) Staff (1–5) Volume (1–5) Tech (1–5) Champion (1–5) Composite Tier
Location A
Location B
...

Wave 1 Selection Criteria (2–3 locations)

Select locations that have:

  • Composite score ≥4.0
  • Enthusiastic, available champion (score ≥4)
  • Representative of broader portfolio (don't pick only urban or only specialty)
  • Manageable patient volume for controlled learning (score 2–3 preferred)
  • Geographic proximity if on-site support is planned
  • Relationship strength with regional manager

Wave 2 Criteria (5–8 locations)

  • Composite score ≥3.0
  • Any remediation items from Wave 1 assessment addressed
  • Regional clustering for efficient support (if applicable)
  • Mix of high-volume (to test at scale) and moderate-volume locations

Wave 3 Criteria (remaining locations)

  • All Tier 3 locations with completed remediation plans
  • Tier 4 locations only after infrastructure/staffing upgrades verified
  • Acquisition integrations or recent de novos

4. Rollout Strategy

Wave Structure Recommendation

Wave Architecture for 25-Location DSO

Wave Timing # Locations Duration Purpose
Wave 1 (Pilot) Weeks 3–6 2–3 4 weeks Validate playbook, capture learnings, build case studies
Buffer 1 Week 7 1 week Learning synthesis, playbook refinement
Wave 2 (Expansion) Weeks 8–13 6–8 6 weeks Scale validated approach, regional diversity
Buffer 2 Week 14 1 week Further refinement, prepare for acceleration
Wave 3 (Completion) Weeks 15–20 Remaining (12–14) 6 weeks Full deployment, leverage trained trainers
Optimization Weeks 21–26 All 6 weeks Fine-tuning, ROI validation

Wave 1 Pilot Location Selection

🟣 Executive Decision: Pilot Location Selection

Selection Framework:

Criterion Weight Scoring Guidance
Readiness Score 30% Composite score from assessment
Strategic Importance 20% Not highest revenue (too risky) or lowest (not representative)
Champion Quality 20% Ideal: Provider champion + admin champion
Representative Mix 15% At least one urban, one suburban or mix of specialties
Support Accessibility 15% Consider travel for on-site support if needed

Recommended Pilot Profile:

  • 1 location with highest readiness score (proves the model)
  • 1 location with moderate readiness score (tests the support model)
  • 1 location that represents a common archetype in your portfolio

Timeline Per Wave

Wave 1 Detailed Timeline (4 weeks)

Week Activities
Week 3 Configuration, data migration, champion training
Week 4 Staff training, parallel workflows, soft launch
Week 5 Go-live, intensive support, daily check-ins
Week 6 Stabilization, issue resolution, user feedback capture

Wave 2/3 Timeline (6 weeks per wave, multiple locations)

Week Activities
Week 1–2 Configuration, data migration, champion certification
Week 3 Staff training (champions deliver)
Week 4 Go-live for first subset (stagger 2–3 per week)
Week 5 Go-live for second subset, support for first
Week 6 Stabilization, handoff to standard support

Go/No-Go Criteria Between Waves

Advancing from Wave 1 to Wave 2

🟣 Executive Decision Gate

Criterion Go Threshold Measurement
System Stability <2 critical issues unresolved Issue tracker
User Adoption >85% staff completing core workflows in Archy System usage logs
Data Integrity Zero data loss or corruption incidents QA validation
Integration Function All integrations passing validation tests Integration test suite
Champion Confidence Champions rate readiness ≥4/5 to train others Champion survey
Staff Sentiment >60% positive on pulse survey 5-question survey

⚠️ No-Go Triggers:

  • Any HIPAA compliance concern unresolved
  • Data migration errors affecting patient records
  • System downtime >4 hours during business hours
  • Provider refusal to use system (>1 provider)

Rollback Plan

Wave-Level Rollback Protocol

If a wave fails to meet go/no-go criteria:

  1. Immediate (24 hours)

    • Pause remaining go-lives in current wave
    • Revert affected locations to previous PMS access
    • Ensure patient data remains accessible
    • Notify all stakeholders via escalation tree
  2. Short-term (48–72 hours)

    • Root cause analysis with vendor
    • Impact assessment across locations
    • Revised timeline proposal
    • 🟣 Executive briefing on path forward
  3. Resolution (1–2 weeks)

    • Remediation plan with vendor
    • Pilot re-validation at 1 location
    • Adjusted training or configuration
    • Revised go/no-go criteria if needed

Location-Level Isolation

  • Failed locations can be rolled back independently
  • Other wave locations can proceed if issues are location-specific
  • Shared infrastructure issues require full wave pause

5. Configuration & Integration (Weeks 2–3)

Step-by-Step PMS Integration

🔵 Migrating from Dentrix Enterprise

Step Owner Duration Details
1. Data export coordination IT + Vendor 2–3 days Schedule export during low-volume period
2. Export configuration IT 1 day Configure Dentrix export parameters per Archy spec
3. Data extraction IT 4–8 hours Run extraction scripts, validate completeness
4. Secure transfer IT + Vendor 2–4 hours Encrypted transfer to Archy import environment
5. Data mapping review Vendor + IT 1 day Review field mappings, flag exceptions
6. Trial import Vendor 2–3 days Import to test environment
7. Validation Office Manager + IT 1–2 days Verify sample records, run reconciliation reports
8. Production import Vendor + IT 4–8 hours Final import during scheduled downtime
9. Post-import validation Office Manager 1 day Comprehensive validation checklist

🔵 Migrating from Eaglesoft

Step Owner Duration Details
1. Patterson coordination IT + Patterson 3–5 days Request data export assistance
2. Database backup IT 2 hours Full SQL backup before any changes
3. Export script execution IT 4–6 hours Run Archy-provided export routines
4. Image archive export IT Variable Export images from Eaglesoft imaging
5–9 (Same as Dentrix steps 4–9)

🔵 Migrating from Open Dental

Step Owner Duration Details
1. MySQL access configuration IT 2–4 hours Configure read access for export
2. API key generation IT 1 hour Generate Open Dental API credentials
3. Direct database export IT + Vendor 3–4 hours Use Archy migration toolkit
4. Image path mapping IT 2–3 hours Map Open Dental image storage to Archy format
5–9 (Same as Dentrix steps 4–9)

⚠️ Common Failure Points in PMS Migration:

  • Historical procedure codes that don't map to current CDT codes
  • Patient records with incomplete demographic data
  • Insurance plan configurations that vary between locations
  • Custom fields in old PMS that have no Archy equivalent
  • Archived/inactive patient handling

Step-by-Step Imaging System Integration

🔵 Dexis Integration

☐ Verify Dexis version compatibility (Dexis 10+ required) ☐ Install Archy bridge component on imaging workstations ☐ Configure Dexis to write to shared network location ☐ Configure Archy to poll/read from shared location ☐ Test image acquisition → Archy patient record flow ☐ Validate image quality and metadata retention ☐ Confirm bi-directional patient selection (Archy → Dexis)

🔵 Carestream Integration

☐ Verify Carestream version and module compatibility ☐ Configure Carestream DICOM export settings ☐ Set up Archy DICOM listener endpoint ☐ Map patient identifiers between systems ☐ Test intraoral, pano, and CBCT workflows ☐ Validate DICOM metadata preservation

🔵 Generic Imaging (TWAIN/WIA)

☐ Install Archy image capture driver ☐ Configure default image settings (resolution, format) ☐ Test capture workflow from each operatory ☐ Validate image storage and retrieval

Test Environment Setup

Centralized Test Environment Architecture

🟣 Recommended Approach: Single enterprise test environment with location-specific data sandboxes

Environment Structure:

ARCHY-TEST (Enterprise Test)
├── TEST-Location-A (Pilot 1 data subset)
├── TEST-Location-B (Pilot 2 data subset)
├── TEST-Location-C (Pilot 3 data subset)
└── TEST-Training (Synthetic data for training)

Validation Checklist

Data Migration Validation

☐ Patient count reconciliation (source vs. destination) ☐ Provider record validation ☐ Appointment history spot check (20 random patients) ☐ Treatment history spot check (20 random patients) ☐ Insurance plan configuration verification ☐ Document/attachment migration verification ☐ Account balance reconciliation

Integration Validation

☐ Imaging system bidirectional test ☐ Real-time eligibility check test ☐ Claim submission test (use test payer) ☐ ERA/EOB import test ☐ Patient communication test (SMS, email) ☐ Online scheduling test (if applicable)

User Access Validation

☐ SSO authentication flow test ☐ Role-based access verification (each role type) ☐ Permission boundary testing ☐ Audit log generation verification

Security and HIPAA Compliance Verification

Enterprise-Level HIPAA Checklist

Requirement Verification Method Owner Status
🔵 BAA executed Legal confirmation Legal
Data encryption at rest Vendor attestation IT/Vendor
Data encryption in transit (TLS 1.2+) Technical validation IT
Access logging enabled Audit log review IT
Unique user authentication SSO configuration IT
Automatic logoff configured Settings verification IT
PHI backup procedures documented Vendor documentation IT/Vendor
Disaster recovery plan reviewed Vendor documentation IT
Workforce training documentation Training records HR/Compliance
Breach notification procedures Vendor policy review Compliance/Vendor

Data Governance Requirements

☐ Data retention policies configured ☐ Patient record amendment procedures documented ☐ PHI access request fulfillment workflow established ☐ Cross-location data access rules defined ☐ Third-party data sharing controls configured

Standardized vs. Location-Specific Configuration

🟣 Configuration Governance Template

Configuration Area Standardize Centrally Local Discretion Allowed Notes
User Roles & Permissions Role definitions consistent across org
Fee Schedules May vary by market/payer mix
Procedure Code Mapping CDT codes universal
Appointment Types ✓ (core set) ✓ (custom additions) Core types mandatory, custom allowed
Scheduling Templates Provider preferences vary
Patient Communication Templates ✓ (tone adjustments) Brand messaging consistent
Insurance Payer Setup Centralize payer configurations
Reporting Dashboards ✓ (custom views) Standard KPIs plus local views
Clinical Protocols CDO-approved standards
Treatment Plan Templates Clinical standardization
Alert Thresholds Consistent escalation triggers
Working Hours Location hours vary
Provider Preferences Chair time, assistant pairing

6. Team Training Plan

Train-the-Trainer Model

Champion Selection Criteria

Criterion Minimum Requirement Ideal Profile
Tenure >1 year at location >2 years
Role Office Manager or Lead Provider OM + Provider pair
Tech Aptitude Proficient with current PMS Early adopter, troubleshooter
Communication Can explain complex topics Respected peer, patient instructor
Availability Can dedicate 15–20 hrs for certification Can dedicate 25+ hrs
Influence Peers seek their guidance Informal leader

Champion Responsibilities

Pre-Go-Live

  • Complete Archy Champion Certification (8–12 hours)
  • Master all workflows relevant to their location
  • Deliver staff training sessions
  • Configure location-specific settings with central support
  • Validate data migration accuracy

Go-Live Week

  • Serve as primary on-site support
  • Escalate issues via defined protocol
  • Document workarounds and lessons learned
  • Lead daily huddles on Archy adoption

Post-Go-Live

  • Onboard new hires to Archy
  • Deliver quarterly refresher training
  • Participate in champion network calls
  • Provide feedback to central team

🔵 Champion Certification Program

Module Duration Format Assessment
Archy Platform Fundamentals 2 hours Self-paced video Quiz (80% pass)
Scheduling & Patient Flow 2 hours Live demo + sandbox Practical exercise
Clinical Workflow 2 hours Live demo + sandbox Practical exercise
Billing & Insurance 2 hours Live demo + sandbox Practical exercise
Reporting & Analytics 1 hour Self-paced + live Q&A Quiz (80% pass)
Training Delivery Skills 1.5 hours Live facilitation workshop Peer practice session
Support & Escalation 0.5 hours Self-paced Acknowledgment

Certification Timeline: Champions must complete certification at least 5 business days before their location's staff training begins.

Standardized Training Materials (Created Centrally)

☐ Role-specific training slide decks ☐ Workflow demonstration videos (screen recordings) ☐ Hands-on exercise guides with sandbox logins ☐ Quick reference cards (laminated, monitor-ready) ☐ FAQ documents by role ☐ Common error resolution guide

Role-Specific Training Outlines

Providers (Dentists, Specialists)

Training Duration: 3 hours Format: 2 hours live demonstration + 1 hour hands-on with trainer support Delivery: Champion-led, with vendor support available

Topic Duration Key Points
Dashboard Overview 15 min Daily schedule view, patient alerts, task list
Patient Chart Navigation 30 min Odontogram, treatment history, imaging access
Treatment Planning 45 min Creating plans, phasing,

AI-generated implementation guide based on public vendor information. Verify specifics directly with Archy.