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My use case for erwin Data Modeler is to identify the objects and keep the business details and object details into one pictorial diagram. Whenever a business wants to understand their operations, it is easy to walk through them with the PDF we have generated, which includes the links between the objects and functionality of the business and description of each column with business context. This tool is helpful for storing all this information.

My favorite feature of erwin Data Modeler is that we can export and import tables directly from the databases. It is easy to map from table to table and column to column.

In managing data across different environments, we are not dealing with the data in erwin Data Modeler. We use it to describe the relationships between tables and define how the data flows from one environment to another. For example, if we talk about a customer table, we define how many columns should be there and the data types and characteristics of that particular column and table. While we can store structure information at the mapping level, we are not managing data within this tool.

I would rate the visualization feature in erwin Data Modeler a six out of ten because the visualization is somewhat poor and some of the features are not user-friendly. You need to spend more time to make it a framework. There are areas where erwin Data Modeler can improve, such as scrolling and zooming in and out to see any particular columns. The visualization is average to above average, but not great.

Erwin Data Modeler could improve in areas such as the interface, as there are features like copy and paste, creating duplicates, and the visualization elements and toolbars which feel quite old. The user interface resembles a 1998 Windows structure, so that can be enhanced.

I have experienced issues with stability in erwin Data Modeler because it does not have an auto-save feature. Whenever I do something and it crashes, I have to start from scratch. There is no automation such as in Word or Excel, where documents auto-save, and if something happens, they start from where they got saved. This lack of an auto-save methodology can be improved so that if a system crash occurs, work can be saved and rework can be avoided.

Scalability in erwin Data Modeler is good as it connects with multiple databases to pull existing table structures. I believe we can read the table structure from any type of database.

I have not contacted the technical support or customer support of erwin Data Modeler. Every product I have worked with captures business frameworks and detailed information. We have not encountered situations requiring customer care support. Erwin Data Modeler requirements function at a standard level, and when we seek something higher, we connect with the team for support.

Neutral

The initial deployment of erwin Data Modeler was easy. It is not overly complex. Those who can understand how Windows functions can easily complete the setup.

Regarding pricing, I am unsure what the exact price is for erwin Data Modeler, but I believe it is not useful for an individual. It is more targeted toward an enterprise level since organizations looking to store business information and relationship values may consider the pricing. I have never thought about that because we never tried to buy it. It is typically for those who need this tool on an enterprise level.

I have not used any alternatives to erwin Data Modeler extensively. I have used Data Vault, but it follows a completely different methodology and does not compare to this tool.

I do not see any integration capabilities in erwin Data Modeler with any projects I have worked on. There are no particular environments such as development, testing, and production. Since there is no end product to place in production, we handle only one environment. The main purpose of integration would be if any output criteria exist. However, the output products are essentially for documentation purposes. So far, in the projects I have worked on, there has been no integration involved with this tool. My focus has been on documentation, which is metadata about the business strategy.

I do not recall how long it took to deploy erwin Data Modeler because there is no deployment involved in my projects. As mentioned, there is no end product for development and production activities. We are merely keeping the business information, and the application of this product serves that purpose. The end result is a PDF representing business data flow.

I am a user of erwin Data Modeler, and I do not have any partnership with them. Partnerships typically involve enterprise levels, but I am a customer. Whenever I start working with a client, they show me the tool, and I begin using it. I would rate my overall experience with erwin Data Modeler an eight out of ten.

It's for what it's intended for, which is Enterprise Architecture.

I've mapped our business capabilities inside of LeanIX platform. When I do that, I'm actually integrating it to see what technologies, what data objects, and what interfaces are being used to support not just the business capability but also our business processes. So that's the example.

What it does is it creates a register in the documentation of all your applications and technologies. When you align or map it to your business capabilities, this is how you identify duplication of technologies in your business and how you can potentially rationalize and standardize on them.

In conjunction with my business policies, LeanIX is quite effective because using it as a tool to determine what is an endorsed technology can prevent other technologies from being used. I would call it effective in preventing technology sprawl in my environment if it is used alongside my business policies.

It does assist in aligning IT with business goals.

From a pricing perspective, it is not a cheap tool. It is relatively expensive compared to some of its competitors.

I can't really think off the top of my head at the moment about any features that are lacking or capabilities I would to see added in the future.

I've been using LeanIX probably for the last two years.

There are no glitches or latency issues; it works very well.

It is scalable enough without any limitations for scalability.

I have been in touch with technical support from SAP regarding LeanIX.

My experience was good, but there's room for improvement as there have been some challenges too.

The main challenge was the response time of the support.

Positive

I have worked with similar tools to LeanIX from other vendors.

BiZZdesign is one of the tools I worked with.

There are differences. Each of the tools has different licensing styles or structures. I picked LeanIX because it was easy to deploy without a lot of configuration work. LeanIX also natively integrates with a process mapping tool, which is important for us in mapping out our business.

There is no installation for LeanIX. It is a cloud product.

I do see some return on investment, time saving, and money saving.

The ROI is more than 30%. The work that I do in using this tool will pay for itself.

The ROI in 12 months is not quick, but in 24 months, after deploying the tool and gathering good validated data, I'm probably looking at being able to consolidate and save my organization ongoing savings that equal how much the tool would cost on a yearly basis.

I'm currently managing Enterprise Architecture.

Enterprise Architecture isn't just about vendors in that space. It actually covers business capabilities, business processes, data, applications, and technologies.

A lot of my work is around talking to the business and setting roadmaps, talking strategy, and being part of business initiatives. My focus is more on strategic roadmaps, and sometimes teams might come to me to ask which technology to use, or if they can use a new technology, and I would direct them on a long-term strategy.

I work with some tools from SAP and from Microsoft as well. I use Enterprise Architecture tools LeanIX and Signavio when I speak about SAP.

LeanIX helps optimize my IT portfolio and has a positive impact on technology risk management.

For support, I would give them a seven out of ten. The product itself deserves a nine out of ten.

My current email is sydney.wong@metcash.com. My title now is General Manager of Enterprise Architecture.