Orbus

Avantages

The underlying database, and the ability to customize attributes has become increasingly important. In fact, lately I've been leveraging this more than the diagramming. This feeds data into a collection of PowerBI dashboards that I can then use to communicate with senior management and other stakeholders.

Inconvénients

The original install was on premises and requires Windows to run (both for the client and the diagramming tool which is Visio), and requires VPN connection for offsite users. We will be switching to the i365 product which will solve much of this inconvenience.

Avantages

The ability to trace objects to other objects and their source business rules or business drivers is a must for complex business analysis situations where multiple (hundreds) of requirements need to be traced and a spreadsheet approach becomes too cumbersome and time-consuming. The ease in showing these relationships and dependencies with the iServer 'spider' type diagrams helps explain these relationships to stakeholders who appreciate pictures to depict complex systems or problems. Seamless export to Microsoft Suite file formats when needed is a plus, as well as the read-only web based presentation of diagrams using the iServer Portal. Creating a diagram is simplified by the numerous templates that come with the product. Beyond the software itself, the iServer support team provides world-class service well worth the annual subscription. The iServer account manager assigned each client is a valuable asset and complement to the online training provided for both for the administrator and the user role, providing support to engage licensed users through biweekly user meetings.

Inconvénients

While I applaud the Microsoft look and feel of the product, the learning curve for an intermediate Visio user to understand the differences between modeling one-off and modeling with shared objects stored in a repository can be discouraging to those expecting a quick fix pill. There is no doubt that a shared repository of objects can undoubtedly benefit an organization, but getting there is more of an organizational and governance challenge than a technological one. For the technology solution, iServer is the tool with the greatest ease of use I have tried. The licensing model could be improved to one that allows use of all current modules to a defined use or user threshold. A modular approach can be limiting for a software that is as all-encompassing as iServer, if resource constraints are an obstacle to adding additional modules.

Avantages

The relationships make finding related processes, applications and people possible.

Inconvénients

The diagrams produced are simple in appearance with unattractive visio templates. These are fine for the architecture and business process audience but need polishing for leadership.

Avantages

Very easy to use and adopt, compared to other products. Portal and BI Dashboards are easy to consume by non-technical audiences. Cost is also much less than others we have used/evaluated.

Inconvénients

We have identified none to date - very easy to use

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi choisir Orbus 

Pourquoi passer à Orbus

Avantages

By using Visio as the modelling interface and the ability to generate excel, powerpoint and word documents allows our team the ability to create views for business and technical stakeholders from a central database of enterprise objects. This eliminates the extra effort of translating and improves visibility to various stakeholders at different stages of initiatives and projects. The easy to configure interface and use of data exchange and included apis allows our team to source and publish data to other systems, allowing for consistent and standardized communication.

Inconvénients

System performance when checking in and out diagrams using the iServer client. The performance issues have been addressed in the 2021 version which we have not implemented yet so we look forward to seeing the improved performance.

Avantages

Our organisation has traditionally used Visio to maintain technical and architecture diagrams. iServer allows us to maintain a central repository of objects, meaning any changes can be quickly updated across multiple diagrams without the need to manually update each one. In addition, the impact analysis features allow us to focus in on areas of change within the organisation and then identify the impact of those changes. Previously we relied solely upon the knowledge of our architects and subject matter experts. But now, this information is easily accessible and stored in a single, central repository.
Technically, iServer is a very stable product and we have never experienced any major issues, even during product upgrades. The support team are very responsive and any minor issues and service requests are usually resolved within a matter of hours.

Inconvénients

The speed of the application when checking in / out documents can be slow sometimes. But the iServer 2021 upgrade, which we only recently implemented, does address this and brings about some performance enhancements in this area.

Avantages

Integration with PowerBI and Ms Visio, use a repository for storing processes and SOP. Enterprise Architecture built and governance defined to manage different architecture level

Inconvénients

Mostly creating views needs a bit of training - which is not covered in detail on training

Avantages

For an agency of our size, with federated administrations, it's imperative that we have the ability to manage a single data set from the Enterprise level, that is viewable, accessible, and editable within certain parameters at the administration or division level. Attributes can be viewable, but locked for editing based on profile, ensuring that data is managed appropriately. The fact that infrequent users can use a portal license rather than the full client allows for easier management of the product.

Inconvénients

The amount of time it takes to upload large data sets is particularly irksome during annual reporting.

Avantages

One of the major positive aspects of iServer is the extensive configurability of the product. This meant that it was possible to configure it to meet our needs efficiently.

Inconvénients

iServer was originally developed on top of Microsoft Visio, historically this mean that users had to have Visio in order to use the iServer client. I'm glad to say though that Orbus recognised this dependency and this is no longer the case.

Avantages

1. iServer provides for Visio Integration and familiar Microsoft UI for modelling and provides a web portal to view artefacts which is key for involving business stakeholders.
2. Querying, drilling down through the enterprise stack to enhance decision making.
3. Great customer support, always willing to help and a knowledgebase.

Inconvénients

1. Advanced customisation (custom visual iconography) should be simpler - a wizard would help increase productivity. The current method requires several steps that takes time which adds up.
2. Would like some system connectors out of the box e.g. ITSM.

Avantages

iServer is built around standard EA reference frameworks such as TOGAF and Archimate. It also comes packed with lots of very useful design templates based on these frameworks so experienced Enterprise Architects would find it easy to navigate and use the tool. Architecture Building Blocks can be defined as objects and therefore re-used, saving a lot of time creating models. Artefacts are also available to view instantaneously by anyone in the organisation using the portal view thereby improving visibility and communication. There are also training sandpits and reference libraries to provide reference implementations of various models and catalogs which is very handy. iServer also uses Visio as native diagramming interface and therefore easy to use for anyone familiar using visio.

Inconvénients

Sometimes application crashes without proper error messages which can be quite frustrating to figure out and also hard to explain to support without doing a screen share and providing them access to the environment to investigate.

Avantages

User friendly with product administration. Uses industry architecture frameworks as a guide to get started.

Inconvénients

Performance issues with some features. Unsure if product or environment related slowness.

Avantages

It covers all needed architecture domains, artifacts, viewpoints, planning materials and workflows that make up Enterprise Architecture best practices. We are a TOGAF shop which iServer strongly supports. The support for Visio and the various Views are great capabilities that every architect will find helpful and a real productive enhancer.

Inconvénients

It is very robust and flexible which makes important to plan your implementation. You tailor it to meet your goals and needs which takes time.

Avantages

There are several aspects of iServer that I find beneficial, such as the ability to include modular frameworks, the complete customization of the metamodel (including industry-specific and role-specific customization), and the warm-fuzzy feeling of knowing I have all of my documentation "squared-away" and in a central repository that others can reference. I depend on their rapid and flexible support to ensure I'm making the most of our investment in the system.

Inconvénients

As far as the software/system is concerned, I really don't have many problems to share. I do think that it can be a challenge to get my metamodel and related object/attribute capabilities functioning well, but that isn't really a problem with the software (it's more of a case where I had to try a couple of different approaches, but finally settled on one that works for me).

Avantages

Integration with Microsoft Products
Association of the architecture repository to the underlying Diagrams

Inconvénients

SaaS version is Pricey , On-Prem version requires periodic upgrades

Avantages

iServer has enabled us to link our enterprise architecture to our overall Risks.

Inconvénients

It takes a while to get used to the main user interface and navigation between the objects and report views.