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.
We use iServer to catalog all systems and their characteristics. It helps trace these systems to business processes and capabilities, providing a comprehensive view.
We use ArchiMate from a modeling perspective. Our primary goal was to select ArchiMate for this purpose, and the reporting pricing is based on the ArchiMate metamodel. We used ArchiMate to model the ecosystem and utilized reporting packs to display details and provide insights.
The most valuable feature is its reporting capability. It offers various packages for different types of reports, such as business and project management reporting packs.
iServer is a solid tool. Occasionally, we needed to contact the vendor to clarify details such as porting issues, missing components, and model specifics. This process sometimes took some time, but we ultimately received the needed responses.
iServer is a stable platform, but some significant considerations must be remembered. Since it is based on Microsoft technology, integration with Microsoft products, such as Visio, is seamless.
However, it's essential to understand how to manage synchronization and access permissions effectively. The platform offers valuable features like document templates and document generation, but you need to ensure you have the necessary access to all components and properly configure security settings. Keeping track of versions is also essential. Due to these requirements, it's recommended that the team undergo training to fully grasp how to use the tool and handle these aspects effectively.
Seven people are working with this tool.
iServer allows you to perform modeling, and while it does leverage Sparx for various functionalities, the platform integrates seamlessly with Sparx to enhance its capabilities. Sparx (EA Sparx) can be integrated with the tool as they both use the same XML-based file exchange format. After some struggle, I managed to exchange the files.
The graphics and other features are well-integrated, ensuring high-quality work and ease of use. The company has developed everything and used Microsoft technology to some extent. Sparx is a critical component of their solution, and while there are pros and cons, my experience with Sparx has been positive.
The initial setup took some time, which reminds us that no system is perfect. A team member required training, which extended the setup process. For comparison, with a tool like Sparx, you can buy it, install it, and start working immediately. In contrast, it took us about two months to become fully operational with iServer.
When I joined the team, iServer was already set up. However, we encountered some issues with our setup and required external help. Although the tool was installed, we had one team member responsible for specific tasks. If that person was unable to address a problem, they contacted the vendor for assistance.
It is very pricey.
We did have some problems with the adjusters. The main issue with this tool is its complexity; while it offers many features, learning and understanding how to use them effectively can be challenging. This difficulty was due to our learning curve rather than any limitations of the tool itself. It took some time to figure out how to use it properly and ensure it worked as needed.
I recommend this tool.
Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
