Posts

Using Document Script fragments in Sparx EA

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In this article we discover the possibilities of Document Script fragments when dealing with complex requirements for document geneneration templates in Sparx Enterprise Architect.

The request

The other day I got a difficult request for a document generation template. At this client they are documenting Use Case scenarios using the structured scenario editor in EA. Each scenario step can be linked to a requirement element.

Each Requirement could have one or more constraints

Based on these scenarios the customer wanted to generate a test scenario document that contained a table like this

StepStep descriptionRequirementRequirement constraints
1User chooses to make a new reservation
2System show the reservation screen where the user can enter Begin, Endate and Roomtype
3User enters begindate and enddate or the numbers of nightsREQ_RV_ 403 Reservation periodInvariant: StartDate < Enddate
Post-condition: A reservation must have a reservation period in the future

The first three columns are available in the standard point and click templates, but the problematic part is the Requirement constraints.… Read more

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Agenda finalized – EAUG Brussels 2017

The agenda for the next Enterprise Architect User Group (EAUG) meeting in Brussels on the 5th and 6th October 2017 has been finalized.

Join us for two days of training and presentations and exchange experiences with fellow Enterprise Architect users and experts.

Thursday 5th October: an EA training day, with a small number of in-depth sessions led by approved EA training partners.

Friday 6th October: a ‘traditional’ EAUG event day – presentations,case studies and user stories.

Full details for both days will be published shortly.… Read more

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EA TFS Connector a new add-in for the Bellekens EA Toolpack

The Bellekens EA toolpack, the free set of add-ins for Enterprise Architect has expanded with a new add-in: the EA TFS Connector.

This new add-in for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect synchronizes workitems 2-ways between EA and TFS (Microsoft Team Foundation Server), so both from TFS to EA as from EA to TFS.

The EA TFS Connector uses the REST API web-service of TFS to synchronize items, so no local TFS (Visual Studio) installation is required, and it also works with TFS version 2015, which isn’t the case with the standard Visual Studio MDG integration.… Read more

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New! Support Contracts with Bellekens!

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Ever needed a helping hand, or needed an expert to fall back on if you have a difficult question or face a problem with Enterprise Architect?

Now you can. Bellekens now offers support contracts for those occasional interventions.

We offer both Monthly as yearly subscriptions depending on your needs.

Montly

You will receive a monthly invoice with all the details of the treated support tickets.

BaseBase hoursbase hourly ratebase amountextra 15 minutes **
No base*0––€ 45
1 h base1€ 150€ 150€ 45
2 h base2€ 140€ 280€ 45
5 h base5€ 130€ 650€ 45
10 h base10€ 120€ 1.200€ 45

* If you choose for the option with No base the minimum charge is 1 hour.… Read more

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EA Mapping tool the next steps

Since my last post EA mapping EA Mapping Tool => Who wants it? there has been quite some response.

There are at least three parties that are seriously committed in joining, and a number of parties that are interested but for any number of reasons aren’t able to commit to anything just yet.

So the next logical step in the process is start building a requirements list. I’ve started with list of basis requirements listed below. Every sponsor now will now be given the opportunity to review those requirements and add some of their own.… Read more

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EA Mapping tool => Who wants it?

I’m thinking about developing a mapping tool add-in for EA.
The idea is that you can manage a mapping between two types of (data) models. For example between your logical data model and your message model, or between your logical data model and your database model etc…

I already have a number of add-ins and scripts that somehow create traceability between models on element, attribute and association level, but I don’t have a tool yet to visualize and manage those traces.… Read more

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Presenting the new open source Enterprise Architect Shapescript Library

The new open source Enterprise Architect Shapescript Library in Github is an initiative to share shapescripts for Enterprise Architect within the user community.

Shapescripts in Enterprise Architect are used to define the presentation of elements on a diagram. They are mostly used when defining a UML profile in Enterprise Architect that extends UML or another modelling language with project specific elements and properties.

Shapescript examples

When developing UML profiles these shapescripts are stored in the _image attribute on the stereotype element, an they can be easily edited using the profile helper.… Read more

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How to use the Enterprise Architect VBScript Library

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The Enterprise Architect VBScript Library is an open source library of VBScripts written to be used in  Enterprise Architect.

This article explains how to download, import and use the library in Enterprise Architect.

Initial Import

Initial scripts

The Enterprise Architect VBScript Library contains some scripts to load and save scripts from/to your file system, but before we can use those we have to import an initial set of scripts to get started.

After downloading the file select menu option Project|Data Management|Import Reference Data and choose the downloaded file.… Read more

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Navigate from and to Composite Diagrams with EA Navigator

With EA Navigator version 2.4.12.0 you can now navigate from and to composite diagrams of an element.

Recently I’ve been working a lot with BPMN models. BPMN models make extensive use of the composite diagram mechanism in EA to drill-down on the processes and sub-processes.

In a classical UML model we usually place the composite diagram under the element, in which case finding the composite diagram, or finding the element(s) that have a diagram as composite diagram, is trivial. They are at the same location in the project browser.… Read more

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Agenda for the Brussels EA User Group Event 18th September 2015

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The agenda for the EA User Group event in Brussels on the 18th September 2015 has been published.

It promises a day full of interesting topics for all EA users.

9:00Registration,
Coffee
9:30Welcome
9:40Modelling Microservices in EA
Sander Hoogendoorn
10:25Coffee break
10:55Track 1: EA @Track
2: Architecture and Products		Track
3: Workshops and How-to’s
10:55EA@ACV-CSC
Geert Bellekens		Making Agile Work in Non-Agile Organizations: Collaborating with EA
Jackie and Ian Mitchell		Hidden Gems in EA
Peter Doomen
11:40Switch
11:55EA@ [TBD]Smartfacts
Christoph Bergner		BPMN from Use Cases – Development of an EA Extension
Phil Chudley
12:40Lunch break
14:10EA@Atrias
Tom Geerts		Enterprise Architect for an Enterprise Architecture
Bert Dingemans		Manage complexity with Model Based Systems Engineering
Rob de Jong
14:55Switch
15:10EA@ [TBD]Modelling the DNA of your company
Christian Gijsels		Implementing company standards in Enterprise Architect
Dennis Geluk
15:55Coffee break
16:25EA@ [TBD]Aligning international standards TOGAF® ADM and ArchiMate® in Sparx EA: A Case Study from the Automotive Industry
Tobias Ivarsson		Extending EA with Scripting or Add-ins?
… Read more
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Pages

Bellekens Enterprise Architect Toolpack

The Bellekens Enterprise Architect Toolpack contains all the free and open source add-ins offered by Bellekens.

General purpose add-ins

Specialized add-ins

All add-ins in this package are open source using the BSD-2 license

Download

Prerequisites

The Bellekens EA Toolpack requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.

Installation

When installing you can choose which of the tools you wish to install.… Read more

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EA TFS Connector

The EA TFS Connector is a free and open source add-in for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.
It synchronizes workitems between EA and TFS (Microsoft Team Foundation Server)

The EA TFS Connector uses the REST API web-service of TFS to synchronize items, so no local TFS installation is required.

Download

Prerequisites

EA TFS Connector requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.

Installation

EA TFS Connector is part of the Bellekens EA Toolpack which includes other useful add-ins such as

When installing you can choose which of the tools you wish to install.… Read more

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Support

Are you an Enterprise Architect user, but you need a helping hand from an expert now and then?

That is now entirely possible. With our support plans a trained professional has your back and will help you with anything related to Enterprise Architect, or the add-ins or scripts developed by Bellekens.

You can use the support contract to

  • General questions
    Submit general questions about the usage of Enterprise Architect or one of the add-ins developed by Bellekens. If we cannot fix it we will contact Sparx Systems support on your behalve in order to make sure the issue gets resolved.
… Read more
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EA Database Transformer

EA Database Transformer is a a free and open source add-in for Enterprise Architect allow for a controlled MDA-type transformation from a Logical Data Model to a Database Model

Currently this tool has been implemented for a transformation to a DB2 database. In case you are interested in using this tool in your own environment, possibly with another DBMS or other transformation rules, please feel free to contact Geert Bellekens.

Download

Prerequisites

EA Database Transformer requires .Net framework 4.5 which is already installed on most Windows installations.… Read more

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Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architect by Sparx Systems is one of the leading modeling tools in the industry and unparalleled in giving you the best value for money.

  • Consultancy

    Looking for an expert to help you with Enterprise Architect? Geert Bellekens is one of the worlds leading experts on Enterprise Architect.

  • Licenses

    Contact us to get a quote for your EA licenses and renewals

  • Writing add-ins

    Everything you need to know about extending Enterprise Architect with your own add-in.

  • SQL Searches

    Quickly find stuff, or perform impact analysis with the powerful SQL Searches

  • Document Generation

    Learn how to create generate professional documents from your model

Free open source add-ins

All add-ins listed below are grouped in a single installer.… Read more

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Enterprise Architect Consultant

Need help with Enterprise Architect? Hire an expert!
As a Sparx Enterprise Architect consultant, Geert Bellekens is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts with regards to Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

Setup and deployment

  • Which Enterprise Architect configuration is best for us?Enterprise Architect Consultant
  • Should we use a central database or distributed .eapx or .qea files?
  • Should we use an external version control system or internal baselines?
… Read more
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