iServer - An Enterprise Architecture Repository and Modeling environment for Microsoft Office and Visio users

Introduction

iServer is a multi-user Repository and modeling environment for the Microsoft Office and Visio documents produced as part of an organization's Enterprise Architecture work. Shapes on diagrams and Word document components (bookmarks) become repository objects allowing them to be managed as true EA artifacts (building blocks). Controls and standards, analytical functions and traceability supplied within iServer help to build your EA environment, monitor your progress against requirements/objectives & milestones and produce the deliverables necessary to ensure successful business transformation.

The key iServer features are listed below. For a full list of features please download the brochure or arrange a demonstration where your requirements can be discussed in detail.

Central Repository

Uniquely, iServer's central repository stores both modeling information (diagrams and shapes) and MS Office documents (Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents and document components) in a single EA store. Modeling objects such as services, applications, interfaces, data elements and activities can be directly related to textual information such as principles, requirements, goals or objectives stored in Word documents. Deliverables created in Powerpoint, Excel and Word can also be created, stored, versioned and managed as individual artifacts (objects) in the same environment allowing for easier control and publication (dissemination) to the consumers of EA information.

iServer Repository features include full versioning, full audit trail (and roll-back), artifact locking, multiple views & folder structures, search capabilities and import/export options.

Customizable metamodel

iServer allows organizations to choose a meta-model suitable for their EA approach and maturity. By using iServer's pre-packaged meta-models for key methods such as TOGAF ™, organizations can be up and running immediately, but by making use of iServer's extensible environment organizations can customize or build their own as required. Customization includes choosing (and or building) the artifacts that may exist, their meta-definitions and the relationship types between them - All elements are easily customizable, a rare strength in an EA tool.

Support for Diagramming Notations

iServer provides out-of-the-box notations for Enterprise Architecture (such as UML or those supplied with our TOGAF solution), but invariably customers have already created significant numbers of Visio diagrams in other (sometimes custom) notations. iServer is very flexible and can support any Visio stencils/notations and document templates.

Support for Enterprise Architecture Frameworks

For a quick start to new EA engagements, iServer provides pre-packaged content for TOGAF ™ (the Open Group Architecture Framework and the Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture. Both content packages are easily extended or modified to suit the needs of a particular organization. Equally, custom frameworks can be created within the environment where a proprietary EA approach has been adopted or is deemed necessary.

Many ways to present information to stakeholders

EA stakeholders need fast access to the information that is relevant to them. Targeted HTML publications, EA views, analysis information (matrices, comparisons), documents, spreadsheets and reports can be generated instantly from iServer's repository helping to ensure the dissemination and communication of EA content to the wider business audience. Traceability means that EA artifacts and proposed solutions can be traced back to stakeholder concerns and requirements.

Managing Timelines and Roadmaps

Managing transformation is at the heart of Enterprise Architecture. iServer's repository and modeling environment is designed to help you better manage and monitor business transformation through time. Facilities such as multiple (parallel) timelines, time horizons, timeline comparison reports and dynamic presentation of data on diagrams based on a timeline (such as technologies decommissioned on a particular date) are available to help produce user-friendly views to communicate your plans. Roadmaps (often produced in Powerpoint) can be held in the same environment and related to the relevant modeling and documentation artifacts to give total traceability.

Managing EA Artifacts

iServer provides a set of management functions to standardize and govern the creation, re-use and lifecycle (transformation) of artifacts, models and documentation. Templates (including notation sets on Visio Templates) and meta-data information can be specified and implemented to help EA contributors and analysts provide the correct information at the correct time in a standardized format. Controls are provided to ensure an appropriate and consistent reuse of artifacts across common areas of the business.

Analysis and Reports

Many of the EA artifacts required by TOGAF (and other EA methods) are a result of queries or views on the EA information held in the repository. As such, iServer provides tools such as impact analysis, relationship matrices and gap analysis to assist with the generation of these documents. In addition, services such as model comparison and reporting help with transformation analysis and the presentation of EA information to other stakeholders.

Change & Issue Management

EA analysts and contributors can log problems, issues and change requests against EA artifacts and documents. Classifications and filters can be used to sort items into meaningful areas for review and fast resolution. Actions can be assigned to users, who receive email notifications and track and report on resolution progress. Alternatively, issues can be passed to resources not part of the iServer environment via the interface with MS Outlook. Issues raised by EA consumers looking at the online publication(s) can be synchronized back in to the issue management facility for centralised review and action.

Security & Access Permissions

iServer provides full access permissions to ensure your EA artifacts are controlled and protected from unauthorised changes. Controls allow the definition of profiles for role-based access to repository data and tool functionality (including Portal access).