IBM Rational System Architect vs iServer comparison

IBM and Orbus Software are both solutions in the Enterprise Architecture Management category. IBM is ranked #19, while Orbus Software is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.4. IBM holds a 1.7% mindshare in AM, compared to Orbus Software’s 4.4% mindshare. Additionally, 83% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Orbus Software users who would recommend it.

IBM Rational System Architect

Read 5 IBM Rational System Architect reviews

883 Views
479 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

iServer

Read 18 iServer reviews

2,339 Views
983 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

IBM Rational System Architect

iServer

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

IBM Rational System Architect and iServer compete in the enterprise architecture tools category, each providing distinct advantages. IBM Rational System Architect has the upper hand in pricing and support, while iServer’s extensive features deliver significant value.

Features: IBM Rational System Architect offers comprehensive modeling with simulation, analysis, and reporting. Additionally, it supports meta-frameworks like Zachman and TOGAF 9, versatile plugin and data importation features, and effective application portfolio scoring models. iServer is strong in collaboration and integration, excelling in seamless interaction with Microsoft Office, adaptive model design, and intuitive interface similar to other Microsoft applications.

Room for Improvement: IBM Rational System Architect could improve by enhancing cloud deployment options, making the interface more intuitive for new users, and reducing the complexity of its metamodel customization. iServer could benefit from improving its on-premise deployment capabilities, expanding modeling features beyond current integration options, and enhancing reporting customization to support more diverse frameworks beyond Microsoft environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Rational System Architect provides a traditional on-premise deployment that effectively integrates into existing IT frameworks, supported by reliable customer service. iServer, with its flexible cloud deployment model, allows for quicker setup and easy scaling, providing a versatile user experience. Both providers offer strong customer support, but iServer’s flexibility can improve the overall user experience during the deployment process.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Rational System Architect presents higher initial costs due to its extensive features but ensures substantial ROI through in-depth architectural insights. iServer might demand higher setup expenses credited to its integrated approach, but it provides excellent ROI via time-saving features and efficiency improvements through enhanced collaboration and strategic alignment. The initial investment in iServer is often validated by its overall cost-effectiveness for various enterprises.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Rational System Architect vs. iServer Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Rational System Architect vs. iServer

April 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

IBM Rational System Architect

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

19th

Average Rating

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

iServer

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

7th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Business Process Design (13th)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Enterprise Architecture Management category, the mindshare of IBM Rational System Architect is 1.7%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of iServer is 4.4%, down from 4.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Architecture Management

Featured Reviews

it_user951237

Enterprise Architecture Specialist at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

Modeling is useful, but many features need improvement and technical support is lacking

I find that almost every feature related to the models requires improvement. For example, I would like to see more trendy models, the look and feel of the models can be improved. This solution can be more user-friendly and easier to use, with better dashboards. The impact analysis feature is in need of heavy improvement. The is a standalone product that lacks integration with a business process automation engine. I would like to see the workflow improved, where it integrates seamlessly with the artifacts.

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Antonios Lazanakis

Senior IT Solution Architect at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Flexible, easy to use, and easy to import data

We use iServer to establish an enterprise architecture function in our organization iServer is a very flexible platform for defining your own enterprise architecture model. It is very easy to import data, and we also have good integration with Visual Drawing Tools and SharePoint. The solution is…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"There are a lot of features I find valuable, but I think that the metamodel customization is one of the best features that the solution offers."

"The user interface is good. It's both clear and comprehensible. It's easy to work with."

"We have seen ROI with this solution over the years that we have used it."

"The solution is pretty stable."

"This is a flexible tool compared to some other solutions."

"Tech support is very responsive. They solved issues within a prompt response time."

"It has helped having data lineage in the business cluster, which is used as control artifacts."

"The solution has wide use within Microsoft products. The integration with Microsoft products, and, in particular, Microsoft Office, is great."

"The initial setup is easy."

"iServer is a very flexible platform for defining your own enterprise architecture model."

"There were lots of different requirements, and collaboration and review is one of the biggest things. There is also Office 360 integration, and there's flexibility to use it as a database as well."

"We like the governance."

More iServer pros

Cons

"This solution can be more user-friendly and easier to use, with better dashboards."

"There needs to be more information at the outset about how to use the solution and how to deploy it. The deployment process needs improvement."

"The reverse engineering of the database is already there, but in the next release I would like to see some pilot supplied with the solution in order to address any database."

"The solution needs to better integrate with other products, like Microsoft."

"The modelling needs improvement, specifically forecasting capabilities and scenarios."

"There could be features for process mining, process simulation, and analytics."

"Requirements management needs to be improved."

"The product is more expensive than Spark."

"There are other solutions out there that have a better user interface."

"More visualization techniques and ways to report the data might be helpful."

"iServer is a solid tool. Occasionally, we needed to contact the vendor to clarify details such as porting issues, missing components, and model specifics."

"The one issue is that if you want to import predefined work, you need to put the licensing model in. So if you wanted to import work that was done before, you then need to buy a separate product for that."

More iServer cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"It's about 13K to set up and 9K for the license for three months. I think it's about 20K a year, but we haven't firmed up on pricing yet because the price depends on how long we commit to the solution."

"The price of iServer is reasonable compared to other solutions."

"The product has a moderate pricing."

"They offer annual subscriptions for developing countries, which are not affordable for small or medium businesses."

"Aim for the exact number of people who shall define/review approve and view the processes, as it will impact the cost."

"The solution is cheaper than its competitors."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

10%

Educational Organization

28%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about iServer?

iServer has valuable features for workflow and document management.

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What needs improvement with iServer?

iServer should invest in enhancing the capabilities of the embedded drawing tool, draw.io. draw.io is a drawing tool used to draw architectural diagrams, flow diagrams, etc. It is an alternative to...

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What is your primary use case for iServer?

We use iServer to establish an enterprise architecture function in our organization.

See all answers

Comparisons

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect vs IBM Rational System Architect

Compared 75% of the time

MEGA HOPEX vs IBM Rational System Architect

Compared 14% of the time

ARIS BPA vs IBM Rational System Architect

Compared 11% of the time

More IBM Rational System Architect Competitors

LeanIX vs iServer

Compared 27% of the time

OrbusInfinity vs iServer

Compared 18% of the time

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect vs iServer

Compared 16% of the time

ARIS BPA vs iServer

Compared 9% of the time

BiZZdesign HoriZZon vs iServer

Compared 9% of the time

More iServer Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Architecture Management

March 2025

Download IBM Rational System Architect product report

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Architecture Management

March 2025

Download iServer product report

Also Known As

Rational System Architect

No data available

Overview

IBM Rational System Architect is an enterprise architecture solution for visualizing, analyzing, and communicating enterprise architecture and business process analysis. This solution provides decision support, process optimization, and integration into solution delivery. Rational System Architect addresses all aspects of your organization's enterprise architecture, including modeling, publishing, analysis, and execution.

IBM

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.

Orbus Software

Sample Customers

Wuxi Lake Cloud, Nationwide, ETI, IDS Scheer

Barclays, Cathay Pacific, Deloitte, British Gas, MasterCard

Buyer's Guide

IBM Rational System Architect vs. iServer

April 2025

Free Report: IBM Rational System Architect vs. iServer

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