ArchiMate is an open and independent enterprise architecture modeling language to support the description, analysis and visualization of architecture within and across business domains in an unambiguous way. ArchiMate distinguishes itself from other languages such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) by its enterprise modelling scope.
There are quite a few tools which support ArchiMate specifications on the market, such as: IBM System Architect, Orbus iServer, Visual Paradigm ArchiMetric, Sparx Enterprise Architect, BiZZdesign Architect. Unfortunately these proprietary tools can be pricy.
So I would like to recommend to you a free, handy, open source and cross-platform ArchiMate tool called: Archi. It supports ArchiMate 2.1 specification. It’s built on Java, Eclipse RCP (Rich Client Platform), EMF and CDO. Archi provides a few components, including Dynamic Viewpoints, Hints View, The Visualiser, Sketch View, Business Model Canvas and Canvas Modelling Toolkit.
Archi uses file system as file store currently. It would make more sense to utilize an ECM solution as the EA repository for easy collaboration, sharing, workflow management and version control, etc. The EA repository can be SharePoint, Alfresco, Liferay, OpenText or any other ECM solutions. Archi development team said they are considering to add repository support later.
The best of all is: Archi is based on LGPL license, which means it’s fully-open for 3rd parties to utilize it as a component in either open source or commercial-licensed products.
It’s worth to mention that Archi was created by one person – Phil Beauvoir. It’s so inspiring to see how far one can go through tireless efforts for years.
