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arckit-research

Research technology solutions and generate vendor recommendations with TCO comparisons.

2.1k|266|Updated Oct 14, 2025
Search Tags:#market research#build vs buy#vendor selection#enterprise architecture#technology research#TCO analysis
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit --skill arckit-research
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: arckit-research
Source: https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit/tree/main/arckit-codex/skills/arckit-research
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tractorjuice/arc-kit --skill arckit-research

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill automates the process of researching technology solutions, comparing build vs. buy options, and generating comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses to inform strategic technology decisions.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Automated Market Research: Identifies and evaluates SaaS, open-source, and government platforms based on project requirements.
  • Build vs. Buy Analysis: Compares the costs, efforts, and risks of building custom solutions versus purchasing off-the-shelf products.
  • TCO Calculation: Generates detailed 3-year TCO projections, including hidden costs and risk adjustments.
  • Use Case: A project needs a new customer identity management system. This Skill researches available SaaS providers (like Auth0, Okta), open-source alternatives (like Keycloak), and potential build costs, then recommends the most cost-effective and suitable option with a full TCO breakdown.

Quick Start

Use the arckit-research skill to research payment processing SaaS solutions for project 'Project Phoenix'.

Frequently Asked Questions about arckit-research

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I conduct a build vs buy analysis for enterprise architecture software?▼

A build vs buy analysis compares the costs, efforts, and risks of custom development against off-the-shelf products. This Skill automates the evaluation by extracting project requirements and generating vendor recommendations with a blended TCO summary.

What is the best way to calculate Total Cost of Ownership for SaaS solutions?▼

Calculating TCO for SaaS solutions involves projecting expenses over a 3-year period, including hidden costs and risk adjustments. The Skill gathers pricing data via web search and produces a comprehensive document with detailed TCO comparisons.

Can I automate vendor selection and market research for technology platforms?▼

Yes, vendor selection and market research can be automated by identifying SaaS, open-source, and government platforms. The Skill researches market landscapes, evaluates options against project requirements, and outputs a comprehensive research document with recommendations.

How do I compare SaaS vs open-source alternatives for a specific project requirement?▼

Comparing SaaS vs open-source alternatives involves evaluating features, compliance data, and pricing against your extracted project requirements. The Skill systematically researches available market solutions and generates a recommendation detailing the most suitable and cost-effective option.

Does this technology research tool require specific project documentation formats?▼

Technology research requires project documents as input to automatically extract requirements. The Skill processes these documents to identify solution criteria, then searches the web for matching SaaS, open-source, or custom build options.

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