Overview
Import information from a multitude of sources
Organizations often use a variety of
tools to describe their enterprise architecture or to hold
information needed to create their enterprise architecture
artifacts and deliverables. It is essential that an EA tool has the
ability to seamlessly transfer information between these different
data sources in order to 'fast-track' the creation of architectural
information, to synchronize (update it), or to enrich it. iServer
Data Exchange is an import and synchronize interface, enabling
import of data from either Excel or XML using the intuitive iServer
Data Exchange Import Wizard.
Common reasons for looking at iServer Data Exchange
Data Exchange is necessary for most customers building an
enterprise architecture capability. Invariably, EA data, especially
information on the current state, already exists within the
business. It makes sense to reuse or make use of any existing,
relevant and (more importantly) maintained data. Here is a sample
of some of the reasons customers choose Data Exchange:
- Information about the architecture components is stored in
multiple systems
- Information is held in other EA or BPA tools - either in
complementary tools or where tool complexity has meant use was
unsustainable
- Enterprise architecture team has established practice of
collecting data in Excel
- Users are more comfortable managing data in Excel
- Asset/inventory lists are held or 'mastered' in CMDB or other
asset management systems
- Architectural lists are subject to constant change
iServer Data Exchange Capabilities
Data Exchange has a series of easy to use but comprehensive
capabilities. These include:
- Generation of enterprise architecture objects (building blocks)
using data imported from other tools (via Excel and XML)
- Synchronization of EA Content with external data sources
(Master data management)
- Import of relationships and meta-data information held in or
via Excel/XML
- Scheduled, bulk data refresh and synchronization
- Bulk re-use of imported objects in iServer models
- Options to manage imported objects to control post-import
changes or updates
Further information on Data
Exchange Capabilities
