Visible Analyst Version 2008 Features

Business Process Model (BPMN) Support

The Business Process Model diagram, using the BPMN notation developed by the Business Process Management Initiative (www.bpmi.org) and the Object Management Group (OMG www.omg.org) is specifically suited for modeling the business processes. These diagram models communicate the business processes including the events (triggers) that begin, end or interrupt the processes, and the information (artifacts) used and developed by the processes. The BPMN notation supports Private (internal), Abstract (public) and Collaboration (global processes).

XML Schema Generation

Users now have the additional option to generate XML Schema based on the W3C standard for the entities and (optionally) classes developed in their project. Simply use the classes on an entity relationship diagram and the classes will be included in the XML Schema generation.

ERwin 7.x XML Import

ERwin users can now import their v7.x entity models into the Visible Analyst. Simple save the ERwin model as an XML file and use the Tools | Import feature of the Visible Analyst to populate the Visible Analyst repository and import the diagrams into the Visible Analyst. Included in the import are the ERwin User Defined Attributes in addition to the entity and element definitions. Once imported, users can integrate and link their entity models with the BPMN processes, Strategic Planning capability, Zachman Framework and the other models supported by the Visible Analyst.

Enhanced Reporting Options

The Visible Analyst repository has been extended to allow users to create custom reports through the use of third party tools such as Crystal Reports or any SQL Query application. Any Visible Analyst project hosted on an ODBC compliant database such as Oracle, MS SQL Server, etc. can access these additional tables and views to report on the repository and diagram data.

SQL Dialect Updates

The SQL dialect support available in the Visible Analyst has been updated to include Oracle 9 and 10; DB2 8 and SQL Server 2005.

Enhanced Division Reports

Users can generate a HTML reports while viewing the model differences during the model synchronization procedure. These division reports provide the users with enhanced synchronization information which directly affect their Enterprise Model decisions.

Previous v7.6 release updates

Zachman Framework Support

The Zachman Framework has become a standard for Enterprise Architecture used by many of the most successful organizations in the world. Evidence of the acceptance of the Framework has been apparent at the annual forums conducted by the Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement (ZIFA, www.zifa.com). At each forum, attendees hear presentations on the many different aspects and practical uses of the Framework. Visible fully supports both the concept and philosophy of the Zachman Framework. Visible helps clients gain greater control of their information systems and technology requirements through development of an enterprise-wide architecture.

Strategic Planning

Planning and requirements identification is often the initial phase in an enterprise engineering project. During the planning phase, you develop a comprehensive strategic business plan that meets the identified mission and purpose of the organization. Visible Analyst not only allows you to create these statements, but also to link them to other meta-data objects in your repository. This allows you to track the software development process from the planning stages, through analysis, design, and implementation. Linking planning statement to model objects helps you determine the significance of each object and ensures that each object is essential in supporting the organization's business plan.

On the Strategic Planning window you have the option to display the description for a planning statement. When this option is selected, a window is opened below the statement hierarchy window which displays the description for the current planning statement. If you want to change the description simply click on the window ( or use the tab key ) and begin typing.

Links to Source Code Under Version Control

Because the software development process does not end when your models have been completed, it is important to be able to link your models elements to the source code that actually implements them. Now you can link any model element to a file under source code control by a Microsoft SCC-compliant provider, such as Razor .

Database Compare - Now you can compare your data model against a database schema and visually inspect the differences.

XMI Import - Import information from other modeling or code generation tools using XMI.

Increased Diagram Workspace - The multi-page workspace has been dramatically increased to 180" x 176".