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Aavenir Atlas early access is open Contractflow on the ServiceNow Store since 2019 Runs on ServiceNow, or standalone ProcureTech100 2025/26 Pioneering Digital Solution ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified, SOC 2 Type 2 compliant

Glossary

What is cognitive search?

Cognitive search uses AI to understand the meaning and context of a query, so a contract search returns relevant clauses and answers, not just keyword matches.

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How cognitive search works

Cognitive search combines natural language processing and machine learning with traditional search. Instead of matching exact words, it interprets what the user means, taking into account synonyms, context and the relationships between words. It also learns from use, so results improve over time.

What it means for contracts

Contract language varies. One agreement says "terminate for convenience", another says "end this agreement without cause on notice". Keyword search finds one and misses the other. Cognitive search finds both, because it understands they mean the same thing. That matters when legal or procurement needs every contract with a certain right or risk.

Typical questions it answers

  • Which supplier contracts can we exit without cause?
  • Which agreements have uncapped liability?
  • Which contracts renew automatically in the next six months?
  • Where have we agreed to most favored customer pricing?

How Aavenir handles it

AI contract search finds clauses by meaning across the repository. Aavenir Atlas answers plain language questions across the whole portfolio and cites the contract text behind each answer.

Keep reading

Proximity search Proximity search finds contracts where chosen words or phrases appear close to each other, not just anywhere in the text.Read more Contract attachments Contract attachments are the exhibits, schedules and appendices that sit with a contract and carry its detail.Read more Contract lifecycle management Contract lifecycle management is the process and software for running contracts from request to renewal.Read more

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Common questions

How is cognitive search different from keyword search?

Keyword search looks for the exact words typed. Cognitive search interprets the meaning of the question, so it finds relevant text even when different words are used. Read about proximity search.

Is cognitive search accurate enough for legal work?

It finds relevant clauses far faster than manual review, but people should check the results that drive decisions. Answers that cite the source clause make that check quick. See Aavenir Atlas.

What does cognitive search need to work well?

Contracts in a single repository with searchable text, including text extracted from scanned documents, and consistent metadata such as parties, dates and contract type. Read about contract abstraction.

Have a question we have not answered? Ask the Expert

Schedule a demo

See your contracts run on one record.

  • 1 A 30 minute walkthrough Built around your team, whether that is procurement, legal, IT or finance.
  • 2 Your contracts, not ours Bring a few sample agreements and watch Aavenir AI extract and review them.
  • 3 ServiceNow or standalone We show the deployment that fits the systems you already run.

Prefer to talk first? Contact the team.