iServer extends the Microsoft Office ® & Visio ®
interfaces
With iServer for
Visio, customers have the option of remaining in Microsoft Office
and Visio whilst gaining the full functionality of an Enterprise
Architecture tool.
Most other Enterprise Architecture tools have proprietary
interfaces, and any information stored in Visio and Office must be
(at best) imported or even reworked just to get started.
Flexibility
Enterprise Architecture standards are still evolving, and the
ability to tailor the metamodel and repository structure is
critical for a modern EA tool. For example, a key step in the
TOGAF® ADM's Preliminary Phase is tailoring the architecture
framework. Unlike many modelling tools that are out there, iServer
allows you to rapidly change your metamodel, either adapting a
framework or adopting your own pre-existing framework and
standards. All of the iServer solutions adapt seamlessly to work
with whatever configuration you choose, no matter what it may
be.
Access the power of Visio
By using Microsoft Visio as your modelling environment you gain
access to all the impressive drawing functionality that MS Visio
offers as standard. You can create data-driven representations,
shapes that change their appearance based on underlying
information, embellish diagrams with logos, graphics and keys - and
all of this can optionally be driven from metadata held in the
underlying repository.
Cross-link to process modelling information
iServer also has strong capabilities for business process
modelling, so you can cross-link your enterprise architecture
efforts to process work being done in the same repository. You can
even reuse the roles and processes defined by the process
modellers, having them appear differently on your viewpoints to how
they appear in the process modeller diagrams. For example, the role
represented by a swimlane on a BPMN process map can appear as a
role shape on a TOGAF® business footprint diagram
iServer is Easy to Use
Because iServer extends the familiar Office tools, a large
proportion of the interfaces are already familiar to new users -
models and other supporting artifacts can be created without the
usual training down-time, resistance is minimized and the move to
iServer is not seen as a complete change. iServer is not just a
tool for architects (see below), so appropriate levels of
functionality and complexity can be turned on for different groups
of users.
iServer is Low Cost
iServer offers a unique solution - a scalable, practical and
cost effective toolset for organizations working through the early
phases of Enterprise Architecture maturity; it is typically only
about 50% of the cost of other leading Enterprise Architecture
tools. This means that the return on investment is faster, and it
is also viable to engage in a cost-effective proof of concept
deployment prior to investment in a wider-scale EA initiative.
iServer users can be trained in a few hours, and familiarity with
Microsoft Visio means that much of the system is already known to
the majority of users.
iServer provides a very quick start to Enterprise
Architecture
For a number of reasons, iServer can be deployed &
productively used quicker than any other EA tool:
-
iServer allows you to get started with the information
you have now
Many other tools require a lengthy data-migration exercise, with
decisions to be made up-front on metamodel and standards. Your
diagrams and documents may not be perfect, complete, or consistent
(for example in use of notations), but this information can be
imported immediately into iServer. Of course standardization and
consistency are important, but this does not have to be achieved on
day one. Use of templates/standards/metadata can be enforced within
iServer as usage evolves, but at the start it can be very useful to
have an initial view of "where we are today". This can be published
to the intranet (with all its problems) and discussed online,
leading to immediate improvement.
-
iServer provides pre-packaged "quick start"
solutions
Orbus provide quick start solutions for
TOGAF® and the Zachman framework for
Enterprise Architecture.
-
Training is quick and painless
Users can be productively using iServer within a few hours where
you can see the benefits of iServer first-hand.
iServer offers benefits to everyone involved in the modelling
exercise
The cost and complexity of most Enterprise Architecture tools
means that other users are often excluded. iServer's continued use
of familiar MS Office products allows artifacts to be managed in
the tools best suited for the job, whilst providing an appropriate
set of functionality for each level of user.
-
Architects (e.g. Enterprise Architects, Solutions
Architects, Domain Architects)
A repository, a range of analysis tools, a customizable
metamodel, stakeholder-driven views and out-of-the-box solutions
for a quick start (such as TOGAF® 9). Models can be built using
industry standard notations such as ArchiMate, UML and BPMN.
-
Contributors (e.g. business managers, service managers,
network managers, business modelers, systems developers, project
managers)
An easy to use modeling environment, picture-driven stakeholder
views, synchronization with other data sources (for list-based
management of artifacts), configurable extensions to BPMS &
simulation environments, reports in Excel & Word, model
comparison and search capabilities.
-
Consumers (e.g. general business users, senior managers,
customers, or suppliers)
Picture-driven access to Enterprise Architecture information,
simple feedback mechanisms.
The best way to see this for yourself is to arrange a
demonstration or to sign up for a proof of concept.
