Sep 23, 2014
Thanks Dorian. We've had look at IBM Systems Architect, but due to the size of our organization and IBM licensing structure, hence we opted for the two in question.
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and iServer compete in the business process modeling market. Sparx tends to have the upper hand in flexibility and support for multiple modeling languages, while iServer is noted for its strong integration with the Microsoft Office suite, catering to organizations familiar with these tools.
Features: Sparx Enterprise Architect offers wide-ranging modeling capabilities supporting UML, ArchiMate, BPMN, and TOGAF. It allows extensive customization through scripting and includes reverse engineering features. iServer provides valuable features in workflow and document management with seamless integration of Microsoft Office tools, facilitating content extraction and easy document handling. It also offers customization of factory settings and data import flexibility.
Room for Improvement: Sparx users find the tool has a steep learning curve, especially for beginners, and needs modern usability enhancements such as mobile support and improved integration. iServer could enhance its visual presentation and needs better embedded drawing tools. Both products could improve performance speed and user interface customization.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect supports deployment options like on-premises, public, private, and hybrid clouds, providing setup flexibility. iServer focuses more on on-premises and public cloud deployments. Both offer technical support primarily via email, which could benefit from more immediate contact methods.
Pricing and ROI: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is known for its cost-effectiveness, offering competitive pricing and flexible licensing suitable for small organizations. iServer, although more expensive, is appreciated for improved productivity and quality, indicating a favorable ROI for its users.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect | 11.3% |
| iServer | 4.2% |
| Other | 84.5% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 7 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 3 |
| Large Enterprise | 10 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 38 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 58 |
iServer is a unified software platform and enterprise modeling environment that extends and enhances the familiar, market leading Microsoft Visio and Office products. Core capabilities provided by iServer include an enhanced Microsoft Visio diagramming interface, a powerful central repository for all enterprise architecture or business process models and documentation, and a range of tools for visualization, analysis and decision making.
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is an enterprise solution that helps streamline, accelerate, and integrate software, system, and business development. With this intuitive modeling and design solution, enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, enable collaboration, support their teams and colleagues, and manage complex projects. Software architects, business analysts, project managers, developers, support staff, and testers can unite under a single repository. Through numerous view points and potential sub-systems, users are offered a unified view in a complex environment.
With Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, users are also offered a shared model option which can be accessed quickly and securely by in-office and remote team members through the Enterprise Architect’s Pro Cloud Server. Building a coherent, verifiable model can be done by connecting and integrating a variety of behavioral and structural information in visual form. As a result, Enterprise Architect offers high performance, flexibility, and the ability to model, manage, and trace every stage of the business development and modeling process.
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Features
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect assists in creating a unified and accessible vision in business development by offering a flexible platform with a unique set of rich features. These features include:
Reviews from Real Users
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect merges high-end tools, online availability, a dedication to open standards, and accessible pricing so enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, whether remote or in-office. Users particularly like the architectural frameworks and the scalability.
Marc L., a principal architecture enterprise solution adviser at Cronomagic Canada, notes, "The product offers very good support for all mainstream modeling notations and architectural frameworks."
An enterprise architect at a manufacturing company writes, "Scalable solution for modeling, project sharing, and collaboration. Support for it is good."
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