FAQ

Short answers to the questions districts, staff and families ask most often, with links to the full pages.

Is Tidal PTC really free?

Yes. Tidal PTC is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, and you can self-host the complete application at no cost. Archboard also sells managed Cloud and Private dedicated hosting if you would rather not run it yourself.

Do we need PowerSchool?

PowerSchool is the supported student information system. The Tidal PTC plugin gives everyone single sign-on and syncs schools, sections, students, teachers and contacts, so there are no CSV imports or temporary passwords.

How do parents and guardians sign in?

Guardians sign in with their PowerSchool parent portal account through single sign-on. Districts can also allow password sign-in.

Can families request a translator?

Yes. Schools choose which languages they offer and set request limits. Families request a translator when booking, and staff assign translators to conferences.

Which languages does the interface support?

English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Arabic, with right-to-left layout for Arabic. Each user picks their own language.

Can conferences be held online?

Yes. A time slot can be in person or online, and online slots show families the meeting link.

What does Cloud hosting cost?

Cloud hosting for a district is $400 a year plus $150 per school, up to $4,000 a year. A single school pays $450 a year. Private dedicated hosting is the Cloud price plus $480 a year for your own server, passed through at cost. Self-hosting is free.

Where is our data stored?

Self-hosted installs keep all data on your own servers. Cloud and Private dedicated installs are run by Archboard; dedicated hosting gives your district its own isolated servers in the region you choose.