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EAM Tool

EAM Tools enable the storage and visualization of enterprise architecture related information [RZM14].


Functionality of EAM Tools

The basic functionality provided by an EAM tool is the organized storage of enterprise architecture related information. Tools providing this functionality are called enterprise architecture repositories [RZM14]. The collected information is structured according to an underlying information model, which enables advanced querying of the data. The data can be entered into the toolmanually or sourced from other applications like project management software, ERPs or knowledge sharing portals [BBL12].

Another possible functionality of EAM tools is the generation of visualizations based on the stored data [RZM14]. Which kind of visualizations are created is defined by the Enterprise Architect.

Usually, the two functionalities introduced above are integrated into one tool [RZM14; Kel11].

 

Advantages of EAM Tools

First of all, to create an enterprise architecture model a lot of data which is spread out throughout the whole enterprise needs to be collected and structured [Fuh11b]. The use of an EAM tool facilitates this task by providing a data repository based on an EAM information model [RZM14]. Additionally, it can automate parts of the data collection by directly sourcing data from other applications [Far+13]. The resulting information collection provides a basis for quick decision making to the Enterprise Architect and other stakeholders [Fuh12].

 

Challenges of EAM Tools

One challenge connected with using an EAM tool is that often a certain information model is dictated. Therefore, first the organizations information model needs to be made explicit, if this is not the case already. Afterwards, the information model of the organization has to be mapped to the information model provided by the tool [Buc+09b].

 

List of EAM Tools

A non-exhaustive list of EAM tool products and their vendors can be found in Table 1.

EAM Tool

Vendor

ABACUS

Avolution

adaptive EAM

adaptive Inc.

ADOit

BOC AG

ARIS

Software AG

BiZZdesign EA Tool Suite

BiZZdesign

Corporate Modeler Suite

Casewise

Essential Project

EAS

Embarcadero EA/Studio

Embarcadero TechnologiesInc.

Enterprise Architect

SparxSystems Ltd

Envision VIP

Future Tech Systems

iteraplan

iteratec GmbH

Layer8

Layer8-Solutions GbR

leanIX

LeanIX GmbH

MEGA

MEGA International

OpenText

OpenText Corp.

planningIT

alfabet

PowerDesigner

Sybase/SAP AG

process4.biz

process4.biz Softwareentwicklungs- undVertriebs GmbH

QPR EnterpriseArchitect

QPR Software

QualiWare Enterprise Architecture

QualiWare

Rational System Architect

IBM

SAMU Repository

Atoll Technologies Ltd

SAP Sybase PowerDesigner

SAP

Troux

Troux Technologies

Txture

QELaB Business Services GmbH

Table 1: A non-exhaustive list of EAM tool products and their vendors [RZM14; MHK14].

 


Sources:

[RZM14]

S. Roth, M. Zec, and F. Matthes. Enterprise Architecture Visualization Tool Survey 2014. Tech. rep. Munich: Chair for Software Engineering of Business Information Systems. Technische Universität München., 2014.

[BBL12]

S. Bente, U. Bombosch, and S. Langade. Collaborative Enterprise Architecture: Enriching EA with Lean, Agile, and Enterprise 2.0 Practices. Elsevier, Inc., 2012.

[Kel11]

W. Keller. TOGAF 9.1 Quick Start Guide for IT Enterprise Architects. Tech. rep. Wolfgang W. Keller, 2011.

[Fuh11b]

K. Fuhrer. “Teil 2: Standardblickwinkel und Praxissichten Planung und Steuerung.” In: Enterprise Architecture Deliverables: Welche Ergebnisse liefert Enterprise Architecture? OPITZ CONSULTING GmbH. 2011.

[Far+13]

M. Farwick, M. Hauder, S. Roth, F. Matthes, and R. Breu. “Enterprise Architecture Documentation: Empirical Analysis of Information Sources for Automation.” In: Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 46). Maui, Hawaii, 2013.

[Fuh12]

K. Fuhrer. “Enterprise Architecture Management - Zielgruppenspezifische Architektursichten.” In: Informatik Management und Consulting (IM) 4 (2012).

[Buc+09b]

S. Buckl, F. Matthes, C. Neubert, and C. M. Schweda. “A Wiki-based Approach to Enterprise Architecture Documentation and Analysis.” In: 17th European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS2009). Verona, Italy, 2009, pp. 1476–1487.

 [MHK14]

F. Matthes, M. Hauder, and N. Katinszky. Enterprise Architecture Management Tool Survey 2014 Update. Tech. rep. Munich: Chair for Software Engineering of Business Information Systems. Technische Universität München., 2014.