Articles

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital world, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Software as a Service (EA SaaS) is at the forefront of a modeling revolution. This innovative cloud-based solution reshapes architecture teams’ work, boosting efficiency and cutting costs. Let’s explore how EA SaaS is transforming the landscape of architectural modeling.

Common Challenges in Traditional Modeling Software:

Sparx Systems EA SaaS is an advanced streaming service that provides Sparx EA application directly through your web browser, solving common issues associated with traditional software installations and maintenance.

1. Complex Installation: Setting up software can be time-consuming and frustrating for Infra teams. 
2. Limited Accessibility: Accessing applications across different devices and locations can be a struggle, hindering productivity. 
3. High Maintenance Costs: Keeping software up-to-date and executing upgrades are significant financial burdens. 

How EA SaaS Addresses These Challenges

Sparx Systems EA SaaS offers solutions to these common pain points: 

1. Instant Access: Sparx Systems EA SaaS eliminates the need for complex updates and installations by providing direct access through a web browser. This ensures a smooth and hassle-free user experience, allowing teams to focus on their work without interruptions.  
2. Enhanced Accessibility: The Sparx Systems EA SaaS platform offers seamless cross-device and cross-platform access, enabling users to work from any device, anywhere. This flexibility enhances collaboration and productivity, as team members can easily connect and contribute regardless of location. 
3. Reduced Maintenance Costs: Adopting Sparx Systems EA SaaS cloud-based solution allows organizations to significantly cut maintenance expenses and minimize ongoing investment, freeing up resources for other critical areas.  
4. Optimized Scalability: Sparx Systems EA SaaS seamlessly adapts to the organization’s evolving needs, ensuring improved performance and operational efficiency while accommodating growth and changes without compromising quality.  
5. Simplified Management: While traditional software management involves handling upgrades and maintenance, Sparx Systems EA SaaS manages these operational overheads. So, you can focus on your core business functions. 

Key Features of EA SaaS

• Flexible Deployment: Sparx Systems EA SaaS provides flexible deployment options for teams of all sizes, allowing them to trial and scale seamlessly while enhancing efficiency. 
• Unified Single Sign-On (SSO): Enhance security and convenience with one-click access. 
• Pre-installed Sparx EA Add-ins: The platform also features Sparx Systems’ recommended Add-ins to boost performance and streamline processes.
• Robust Security: The platform also features Sparx Systems’ recommended Add-ins to boost performance and streamline processes.
• Seamless Migration: It also offers seamless migration from on-premises setups with no data loss. 

Security You Can Trust

Sparx Systems prioritizes your data’s safety: 

The Sparx Systems Cloud Platform ensures exceptional security by adhering to accredited certification standards. It maintains optimal performance through an Application Load Balancer and shields applications with a Web Application Firewall. The user’s credentials are securely managed with a Password Vault, and connections are protected via VPN tunneling. Access is controlled through IP Whitelisting, while 24×7 Monitoring provides timely alerts for any service disruptions, delivering comprehensive protection and reliability. 

Security & Compliances

Sparx Systems EA SaaS is supported by industry-recognized security certifications,

Conclusion

Sparx Systems EA SaaS is revolutionizing architectural modeling by addressing key challenges in the industry. With its web-based access, cross-device capabilities, and reduced maintenance needs, EA SaaS offers an efficient, scalable, and secure solution for modern modeling needs. 

By implementing EA SaaS, organizations can significantly enhance their efficiency and productivity, optimizing modeling and architectural processes for maximum effectiveness. 

Ready to experience the future of modeling? Request a trial to get hands-on with EA SaaS or book a demo to speak with a Sparx Systems Product Consultant. 

In today’s fast-paced business world, Sparx Systems’ EA stands out as a vital tool for Enterprise modeling, providing extensive capabilities across diverse domains. Sparx Systems EA SaaS provides users with the flexibility to access and manage their repositories from virtually anywhere. 

This article explores Sparx Systems’ EA repository options—cloud-based, server-based, and file-based—and their unique features. By understanding and evaluating these options, organizations can choose the repository that best meets their specific requirements.

Cloud-Based Repositories

Cloud-based repositories, streamline access to EA models with minimal client setup, requiring only the server URL and database name.

This ease of connection supports distributed development, enabling seamless access for local teams, remote collaborators, external customers, and consultants worldwide. The cloud-based approach enhances collaborative and distributed modeling, fostering more effective teamwork and design processes.  

Sparx Systems’ Cloud platform integrates with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, further enhancing repository management, accessibility, and collaboration. 

Server based repositories

In an era where data security and compliance are paramount, Sparx Systems EA’s server-based repositories offer a robust solution for organizations with stringent policies that necessitate keeping their architecture data on-premises. By leveraging a Database Management System (DBMS), your Enterprise Architect repository can scale to meet the demands of larger teams and more complex models, without the need to transition to the cloud.

To utilize a DBMS-based repository, you will need to use the Corporate, Unified, or Ultimate editions of Enterprise Architect.  

For those starting with a file-based repository, Sparx Systems EA offers a feature to easily migrate to a server-based repository, ensuring a smooth transition maintaining a consistent user interface. Performance of the repository depends on the server hardware and network quality. 

Although Sparx Systems strives to optimize performance, the unique characteristics of each repository can impact results, so adjusting database indexes may be necessary to improve data retrieval and maintain efficiency with large, complex models. 

File based repositories

Sparx Systems EA provides a lightweight and portable file-based repository system that enables modelers to set up quickly and attain immediate access.

You can either create a repository from scratch or use the default EABase files, available in .qea, .feap, and .eap formats, found in the EA installation directory. These EABase files act as templates for new projects and can be easily copied to set up new repositories. You can also modify these default repositories to align with your organization’s specific requirements or create your own customized base repository. 

Conclusion

Sparx Systems’ EA offers versatile repository options—cloud-based, server-based, and file-based—each designed to address specific needs. Cloud-based repositories support seamless collaboration, server-based options manage larger models and user loads, and file-based repositories offer a quick start. Assessing these options helps organizations select the best fit, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in enterprise modeling.

Note: For demonstration purposes, we have utilized the streaming version of Sparx Systems EA hosted on the Sparx Systems Cloud Platform. 

In Sparx Systems’ Enterprise Architect, maintaining an organized workspace maximizes productivity and focus. Since different tasks require distinct tools and windows, managing these efficiently can significantly reduce the time and effort spent on configuration.  

This article will explore how customizing and utilizing Sparx Systems’ workspaces is an effective strategy for streamlining workflow and optimizing productivity. 

What are Workspaces?

Workspaces in Sparx Systems are predefined or custom layouts that organize the various tools and windows you use in Enterprise Architect. Instead of manually arranging your tools each time you start a new session, you can create and apply workspaces that automatically open and organize the tools appropriate for specific use cases. Some of the popular tools include: 

• Properties and Tagged Values 
• Notes 
• Toolbox 
• Project Browser 
• Filters & Layouts 
• Traceability 
• Layout Tools 
• Features 
• Script Library 
• Output 

Benefits of Using Workspaces in Sparx Systems

1. Instant Access to Essential Tools: Workspaces open all the tools relevant to a specific task or role, allowing you to dive straight into your work without additional setup.  
2. Guided Exploration of Key Features: They help familiarize you with the tools and views necessary for various aspects of your work. 
3. Fast Workspace Transition: It allows you quickly switch between work environments for either consecutive tasks or entirely different areas of work. 
4. Restoring Layouts: It enables you to re-establish a work environment that has been changed, either accidentally or deliberately. 

Creating a Custom Workspace in Sparx Systems

To create a custom workspace tailored to your specific roles or tasks, follow these steps: 

1. Start by organizing your workspace layout according to your needs. Arrange the tools and windows to suit your specific tasks, as illustrated in the image below.

2. Click on the “My Workspaces” option from the Workspace Tools to open the workspace management window.

3. In the workspace management window, click the “Create New” button. This will prompt the creation of a new custom workspace.

4. A window will appear where you can enter a name for your custom workspace. After entering the name, click the “Save” button to complete the process.

5. Once you’ve named your workspace and clicked “Save,” your new custom workspace will be created and available for use.

Accessing Your Custom Workspace in Sparx Systems

To access your custom workspace, follow these steps: 

1. Open the Workspace Menu: Navigate to Start > All Windows > Workspace. 
2. Locate User Layouts: In the Workspace window, go to the User Layouts section. 
3. Select Your Custom Workspace: From the list of available workspaces, select the custom workspace you created, as shown below. This will apply the layout you set up and display for your current session. 

Managing Workspaces in Sparx Systems

To manage your workspaces, follow these steps: 

1.Navigate to Workspaces: Go to the ‘Workspaces’ page in the ‘Workspace Layout’ dialog. This page shows all the available layouts, both system-defined and user-created. You can access this via: 
Start > All Windows > Workspace > Workspace Tools > Workspaces

2. Explore Available Layouts: You will see a variety of predefined and user-created layouts. Select your preferred layout and click ‘Apply’ to update your current workspace.

Conclusion

Custom workspaces in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect enhance productivity and efficiency by adapting tools to your specific tasks and roles. This feature minimizes setup time, ensures quick access to essential tools, and facilitates easy transitions between tasks. Utilize custom workspaces to streamline your workflow and focus more on your core activities.

In the dynamic world of Enterprise Architecture Software-as-a-Service (EA SaaS), exceptional user experience and top-notch productivity are key to making it all work smoothly. 

Discover our Sparx Systems EA SaaS comprehensive guide to see how these features work together to elevate your productivity and streamline workspace management, transforming the way you operate. 

This guide offers a detailed look at the different features available, highlighting how they can help you work more efficiently and manage your workspace more effectively.

EA SaaS File Storage

EA SaaS File Storage makes handling your files a breeze! Instead of grappling with annoying data transfer hassles, you can now upload and manage files from your local system to the EA SaaS Platform. 

This feature takes the stress out of data management and keeps all your important files easily accessible, whether you’re working alone or collaborating with others. 

Upload a file from local system to EA SaaS environment

To upload a file from your local system to the EA SaaS environment, follow the below steps: 

1. Click on the File Storage icon. A window will appear listing the number of available files in the EA SaaS environment. 

2. Click on the Upload file option if you wish to upload a new file from the local system to the EA SaaS environment. 

3. Select the file that you want to upload. The uploaded file will be available under the ‘Downloads’ folder in the EA SaaS environment.

Create a new folder in the EA SaaS environment

To keep your files organized in the EA SaaS environment, you can create folders to store your files by following the below steps: 

1. Click on the Create folder option in the File storage window. 

2. Create a new folder within the File storage.  

3. Enter your name as the folder’s title. 

4. Once the folder is created and named, upload the desired file into this folder by clicking on the Upload File option. 

The newly created folder will appear in the list alongside your other files, making it easy to organize and access your documents. 

Optimize File management using Actions menu

The Actions menu becomes enabled only when you select a file; otherwise, it remains disabled. Once a file is selected, you can use the Actions menu to perform tasks such as downloading the file, renaming it, or deleting it. This ensures that you have the necessary options to manage your files efficiently.

The Actions menu consists of 3 options: 

1. Download 

2. Rename  

3. Delete 

Download a file to the local system from the EA SaaS environment

To download a file from the EA SaaS environment to your local system, follow the below steps: 

1. Select the Actions menu in the File Storage window.  

2. Click on the Download option to download the file from EA SaaS environment to your local system. 

Rename a file stored in the EA SaaS environment

To rename a file stored in the EA SaaS environment, follow the below steps: 

1. Select the Actions menu in the File Storage window.  

2. Click on the Rename option to rename the file stored in the EA SaaS environment. 

Delete a file stored in the EA SaaS environment

To delete a file stored in the EA SaaS environment, follow the below steps: 

1. Select the Actions menu in the File Storage window.  

2. Click on the Delete option to delete the file stored in the EA SaaS environment.

Terminating Idle EA SaaS Sessions

To maintain the integrity of your EA sessions, use the Termination feature when your screen freezes. This lets you quickly end the session and avoid further problems. It keeps you productive by allowing you to Close the EA Application without further delays.

Capture Your Workspace with ease using Save Screenshot

Are you looking for an easy way to document and share your work? With the Save Screenshot feature, you can snap a picture of your workspace with just one click. After taking the screenshot, you’ll get a notification letting you know it’s ready for download. 

Whether you’re documenting progress, sharing visuals with colleagues, or keeping track of your work, Save Screenshot makes it quick and effortless. 

EA SaaS provides a range of powerful tools to boost productivity and simplify workspace management. From the effortless file handling of File Storage and secure session management with Termination to the smooth documentation with Save Screenshot, each feature is crafted to streamline your workflow. 

By getting to know and using these tools, you can fully tap into EA SaaS’s capabilities, making your workday more efficient and enjoyable. Explore these features and more to elevate your productivity and take your EA SaaS experience to the next level. 

Tailor the user interface to your specific use cases with Enterprise Architect 17’s new ‘Model Perspectives’ technology. Configuring the tool to simplify and focus on your team’s priorities has never been easier.

This powerful feature allows you to model your desired interface and automatically generate configurations, applying them seamlessly to the tool. Users can now create and publish custom views directly from diagrams, offering an efficient modeling environment tailored to your organization’s unique needs.

Multiple perspectives can be easily modeled, providing a comprehensive outlook that enhances overall productivity.

• Model Patterns: Quickly start building custom perspectives using model patterns. These patterns provide a solid base to customize your toolbars, ribbons, toolboxes, and diagram types based on a specific set (one or more) of security profiles. 

• Model Perspectives Toolbox: Ready-to-use patterns provide access to out-of-box perspectives, technology set patterns, ribbon category elements, ribbon group attributes, and security group elements. 

• Publish and Import Commands: Easily publish or import a Package as a Perspective using the new ‘Publish Perspective’ option, added to the Specialize menu ribbons. 

• Extend Technologies: Build on existing technologies by adding or modifying toolbars, ribbons, toolboxes, and diagram types to fit unique project requirements. 

• Role-Specific Perspectives: Create focused user interfaces that enhance productivity by aligning tools and functionality with the specific needs of different security groups. 

• Instantly Activate Perspectives: Once activated, the custom perspective will immediately apply its changes to the model, modifying every user’s UI and perspective based on their security group. 

• Seamless Integration: Integrate new perspectives smoothly into your existing workflow, reducing the learning curve and increasing efficiency. 

Steps to create a Perspective Workspace Model

1. To customize an in-built Model Pattern/Template, click Start > Personal > Model Builder.

2. To create a Perspective afresh, create “Perspective Workspace” stereotyped package, in the “PerspectiveWorkspace” diagram.

3. Use the model perspectives toolbox to build the diagram.

4. Activate the newly modelled perspective in the ‘Perspective Sets’ dialog.

5. To deactivate a perspective, select the “De-Activate Perspective with Security” option in the ‘Perspective Sets’ dialog.

The aim is to ensure an optimal experience for all EA SaaS users with minimal hassle. This article focuses on demonstrating how an admin can seamlessly manage users and their interactions within the EA model repository. By leveraging predefined groups in the EA model and simplified access control Profiles in the EA SaaS Portal, assigning varying Permissions and Restrictions to different user groups can be effortlessly achieved.

Prerequisite

• An Admin User Account has to log into the Prolaborate Portal.
• Create an Access Control Profile with a user group where SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) users can directly get assigned to those groups from the SAML groups.

What we cover below

1. How to Create a User Group in Azure SAML and Prolaborate & EA Saas Portal to reuse the group for SAML configuration.
2. How to set Permission and Restriction for SAML users in EA model.
3. How to configure Access Control Profile for SAML users.

EA SaaS Flow

Create User Groups in Prolaborate Portal

Create a general group for each team.

To create a group, click on Menu > User Group Management.

And “Click > Create User Group” as shown in the image below.

Fields	Description
User Group Name	Enter the name of the user group.
Select Users	Assign the users to the respective group.
Repositories Access	Provide repository access based on your group
Select Products	Choose the specific products

After entering the above details, click on “Save” to create the user group.

Access Control Profiles

When a SSO user logs in for the first time, they are automatically registered to Prolaborate & EA SaaS Portal. Configure the User groups in Access Control profiles by following these steps.  

Click on Menu > Access Control Profile 

Click on Create Profile.

Name the profile and define the groups, then click the save icon to retain the Access Control Profile. For more information about Access Control Profiles, click here.

SAML Settings

1. Configure the Service Provider and Identity Provider Configuration on the SAML settings page. For more details on the SAML Single Sign-On Configuration, click on the link here.

2. Once the SAML group-based Restriction gets enabled, you can choose the Access Control profile that is created as mentioned above and fill in the Name of the SAML group name that was assigned in the SAML IDP portal as shown below.

3. This configuration ensures that users belonging to the specified SAML group will be automatically granted access to Prolaborate and EA SaaS based on the Access profile you established in the SAML settings.

4. Click “Save” icon after the Configurations.

Setup Group in EA with Permissions and Restrictions on EA SaaS

Assign the right permissions to each group for each EA model repository. 

For more information about permission and restriction please refer to the below links,

To learn about the access permissions within the EA group, please click here.

To explore information on the restriction within the EA group, please click here.

Note:

The value entered for ‘Open ID Group’ should be the same as the group name of the group created in the previous step in the EA SaaS Portal.

Click “Save” after the configuration.

Conclusion

Once the configuration is done and SSO is enabled, users will start to see a new button on the authentication portal called ‘Login with SSO’ and they can click on it to login with their SSO credentials.

Upon selecting the SSO login option, the landing page will be displayed, featuring EA SaaS and Prolaborate, provided that the SSO user is assigned to both Prolaborate and EA SaaS.

Clicking ‘Open Project in Prolaborate’ will launch Prolaborate based on the access permissions configured for SSO, displaying the model according to the user’s access permissions.

Similarly, choosing “Open Repository in Sparx Enterprise Architect” will open Enterprise Architect with a Pinned model connection. By clicking on the model and selecting “OpenID login,” the model will be accessible based on the group restrictions assigned to the user.