iServer Process Modeler Capabilities
Shared Architecture Repository for Microsoft Office & Visio
Content
Uniquely, iServer Architecture Repository contains not just
re-usable process components (Visio shapes and objects) but also
documents, deliverables and document components; a useful
requirement when creating a process environment. Unlike other
process tools, models and documents stored in the iServer remain in
their original office format so content never needs to undergo a
painful export or conversion process to bring into or out of the
iServer environment.
Building Views & Viewpoints
Custom-views can be created in minutes to ensure that the
artifacts and deliverables satisfy the viewpoints of your
stakeholders. Additional information can be built into the
views to provide instructions and guidance in creation of the view
or its purpose.
Flexibility to Define Your Own Modelling Language
iServer is truly extensible. Any Visio stencil can be
deployed instantly as a new modelling standard, whether it is a
custom stencil specific to an organization, an industry sector DSL
(domain specific language), 3rd
party stencil, or an industry modelling standard such as BPMN
(Business Process Modeling Notation). Unlike many other
tools, there is no complex coding or consultancy driven changes
needed, just a simple upload into the iServer Repository.
Extensible Meta-Data
Organizations can quickly and easily define their own meta-data
requirements for anything in the iServer Process Repository -
including folders (such as projects) models, model components such
as activities or roles, or documents such as Extended Process
Descriptions, Policies or Work Instructions - another example of
iServer's extensibility!
Customisable Meta-model
Most organisations need to create their own meta-model or modify
an industry standard version to suit their organizational
needs. iServer provides a fully extensible Meta-model within
which object types, their relationships and the rules governing how
your process, system, organisation and technology components are
related can be set.
Importing Data, Synchronizing Information & Converting from
other Tools
Process data created in other modelling tools, Excel
spreadsheets or mastered in other systems can be imported into or
synchronized with iServer using the Data Exchange capability.
This ensures the fast-start of process initiatives with no loss of
data and the guaranteed integrity of the information used in the
process environment over the longer term.
Dependency Tracking & 'What if' Analysis
Interdependency tracking is available within the iServer Process
Repository and is used to assess and plan the effect of change, not
just between modeling objects (activities, roles systems etc.), but
also between models, modeling objects, documents and document
components (Word bookmarks). This allows 'what-if; analysis
to be performed against items such requirements, objectives and
goals usually held as text in Word documents.
Windows Explorer Style Document & Model Structure
As iServer's Windows Explorer style document and model structure
will be familiar to most users, finding and managing information is
incredibly easy. Organizations can define a default structure
within which to organize their processes or can use any standard
process classification structure such as APQC. Multiple
alternate views can be created so information is accessed in the
most appropriate way for the specific stakeholders around the
business.
Managing 'To-be' Process Scenarios
Multiple process scenarios can be stored a single iServer
Repository. Each possible 'to-be' scenario is segmented but
managed within a single source so that queries and Gap Analysis
comparisons can be used to understand and track variances, and
dependencies established between the various scenarios as
necessary.
Permissions
Controls can be implemented to restrict access and editing of
Process information by users of both the iServer Process Repository
and the iServer Portal. Profiles can be created to allow
approvers to 'lock' specific processes once content has reached a
specific sign-off point or a critical mass of acceptance.
Change Management
Documents, models and individual activities (or any modeling
component) can be 'tagged' for review and approval as they move
through the approval lifecycle. Improvement suggestions,
optimization opportunities, general issues, comments, change
request etc. can be generated by analysts and business users alike,
either online or in the Process Repository editing suite.
They can be assigned to users for review and resolution, with
notification and comment services to help move an issue through to
resolution. Full version history is provided for models,
documents, and modeling components with comprehensive roll-back,
purge and recovery facilities.
Search & Filtering
Extensive search and filtering capabilities are provided within
the Process Repository which allows users to create views of the
process data for export to Excel for further analysis or
publication. This facility includes the ability to use
meta-data as repository filters.
Publishing & Browser Access to the Process Repository
iServer has two options for sharing content with the wider
business. HTML Publisher creates time-based static
views of Process content with Portal providing live access to
'real-time' repository data. Both options provide business
users with a simple way to navigate through the content, search for
data, follow dependency threads, access reports and feedback on the
quality and value of the processes produced.
Reporting & Matrices
Matrices showing Process to Organization, Application
Interfaces, RACI, CRUD and any other object relationship view can
be generated from within iServer. Once produced, matrices can
be exported to Excel for further analysis or be saved back into
iServer and made available to business users via Portal or
Publisher. A series of Report Packs provide for the
fast production of standard process deliverables, analysis
information and documentation, but the Reporting Database provides
organizations with a facility to write their own custom reports and
queries as needed.
