Introduction
EAXplorer
EAXplorer is an in-house developed software that offers a pragmatic approach to Enterprise Architecture Management. It provides a secure and accessible platform for managing your architectural models as a repository hosted as a Software as a Service (SaaS).
Why you need EAXplorer?
Enterprise Architecture (EA) is essential for planning, organizing, communicating, and coordinating an organization in a consistent and integrated manner. An EA framework, such as TOGAF or Zachman, and modeling languages, such as Archimate, help to make the logical structure visible and prevent chaotic IT implementations that can negatively impact value creation. EA aims to facilitate better communication between various stakeholders by using models. A model is a (simplified) schematic representation of reality that allows for a clear picture to be drawn. EAXplorer is designed to harness the power of EA, bringing a set of features that enhance the planning and communication capabilities of your organization.
These are the key benefits of using EAXplorer:
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Focused Metamodel Based on Archimate: EAXplorer employs a metamodel grounded in Archimate but focuses on the essentials by using only a few object types (See Metamodel). This approach allows for a holistic and pragmatic mapping of the IT landscape, ensuring that you capture the most critical aspects without necessary complexity.
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Cloud-Based Collaboration: Being Cloud-Based, EAXplorer enables seamless collaboration across distributed teams, eliminating the need for complex on-premises installations. This flexibility ensures that all team members can contribute and access the architecture from anywhere, facilitating better coordination and quicker decision-making.
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Seamless Integration with Draw.io: EAXplorer integrates effortlessly with Draw.io, enhancing the visualization of your architectural documentation. This integration allows you to incorporate visually appealing diagrams, resulting in improved understanding and more effective communication across your organization.
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Accessibility Across the Entire Business: Unlike many tools that are often limited to the IT department and challenging to share with all stakeholders, EAXplorer is designed to be accessible to the entire business (See Rights-management). The broad accessibility ensures that all relevant parties can engage with and benefit from architectural insights, fostering a more inclusive and informed environment.
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Bidirectional Synchronization Between Repository and Diagrams: EAXplorer allows for bidirectional synchronization between the repository and diagrams. You can create diagrams from repository data and update the repository by syncing from diagram edits. This flexibility ensures that your architectural documentation remains consistent and up to date, enhancing accuracy and reducing risks of inconsistencies.
By leveraging these features, EAXplorer helps organizations streamline their architectural practices, improve stakeholder engagement and communication, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.
With this documentation, we aim to guide you through the key concepts underlying the development of the tool, the various functionalities EAXplorer offers, and hands-on tasks that teach you the basic steps for using the tool. By understanding these core principles, you’ll be well-equipped to leverage EAXplorer to its fullest potential.
Embrace EAXplorer to experience positive impacts of effective Enterprise Architecture and elevate your organization’s strategic initiatives!
