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Software Architect at a transportation company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Practical and user-friendly with good documentation
Pros and Cons
  • "It's a very practical solution. You don't need to do an advanced course to start using this tool."
  • "Sparx can be a bit slow. If you are trying to design software architecture, sometimes we run into issues and need to refresh."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for modeling. We've tried to map a set of fields and we have and combined it with the processes of the company.

We wanted something that included all of the shapes represented in the software architecture solutions of our company. We created near 2,000 products that we have in the company. We used this product, as well as HOPEX, which we also bought, to represent the software architecture of our solutions and the mapping within the processes of the company.

What is most valuable?

If you compare the price of MEGA HOPEX with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, Sparx is cheaper.

It's a very practical solution. You don't need to do an advanced course to start using this tool.

It offers great intricacy. You can really do many kinds of models. You don't have to design certain designs in another tool. It even allows enterprise architecture to be modeled within it. 

The solution is very user-friendly. When you draw a diagram to model the architecture, it's very flexible. If you have a double standard, you can use the tool. You can use UML Ultimate if you like. If you have a different set of standards for certain models, you can put those in. 

The documentation and the articles they have on offer are pretty decent.

What needs improvement?

Sparx can be a bit slow. If you are trying to design software architecture, sometimes we run into issues and need to refresh. HOPEX also occasionally needs to be refreshed as well, actually.

The product has a unified view or a unified database with some limited functionality in the models. In the same database, it can create some problems. I don't know if the problem is that maybe there is a communication issue or we just have too many models in the company. When we're starting the scaling it started to become less capable. We've had trouble with access on the corporate usage level.

For how long have I used the solution?

We started using this solution around 2018 or 2019. It's been a few years at this point.

Buyer's Guide
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,690 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'm not sure how well this product can scale. We have a lot of models and it seems we have reached our limit. 

How are customer service and support?

The solution does seem to offer helpful documentation. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We are using both Sparx Systems and MEGA HOPEX. Our organization bought both solutions. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Sparx is less expensive than, for example, HOPEX. 

We have a server license for the product.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We work with both Sparx and HOPEX, and therefore we can easily compare them. Sparx, for example, is less expensive. However, it can run slow sometimes and needs to be refreshed. HOPEX sometimes has the same issue in terms of needing an occasional refresh.

We find Sparx to be more useable as well. It's less technical.

What other advice do I have?

We are customers and end-users. We don't have a business relationship with the company.

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. We are very happy with the product overall. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Enterprise Architect - Integrations at BCA
Real User
Scalable platform for modeling, collaboration, and project sharing; offers good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "Scalable solution for modeling, project sharing, and collaboration. Support for it is good."
  • "The stability and performance of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect could still be improved. Setup for it is also slightly complicated and could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is used by our architects to put out artifacts, collaborate, work together, and share those artifacts. The product is used to maintain the versions of architectural diagrams, use case diagrams, etc.

What needs improvement?

I'd like Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect to be more stable, and have a more improved performance. It should also have a sharing feature and allow us to easily share artifacts with our business partners, rather than requiring them to install the product on their site first. If people who don't have licenses could also view what we're sharing, that would be great.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect for the past 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This product should be more stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The cloud version of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is scalable, without a doubt.

How are customer service and support?

I'm satisfied with the technical support for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup for this product was slightly complicated. It was complicated for the business users, the non-IT teams, and the non-technical teams, but I was able to do the setup myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We pay for the license of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, and it is a yearly subscription.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I evaluated Visio. I use it in parallel with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

What other advice do I have?

I used Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect on-premises at the start, then later on for other clients, I used it on cloud. I used the latest version on cloud, but for the on-premises deployment, I used an earlier version, but I don't remember the version number.

There is a learning curve with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, e.g. to be comfortable and to start using it full-fledged. It took me a month of practice.

On average, we have 50 users of this product, and 20 technical people in charge of its deployment.

I can recommend Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect to other people who may want to start implementing it.

My rating for Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,690 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1479141 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director, Strategy and Consulting at a university with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
A stable, scalable, and affordable solution with profiles and ready-made templates
Pros and Cons
  • "The profiles and ready-made templates are an extremely helpful feature. This is one of the biggest features that I find very useful in Sparx."
  • "The UI is a little bit outdated. It should be more fresh and clean."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for model-based system engineering (MBSE).

What is most valuable?

I think having some of the profiles and ready-made templates is an extremely helpful feature. This is one of the biggest features that I find very useful in Sparx.

The documentation and the help center within the tool are very helpful as well. They are written in much simpler terms. The examples are very clear, and the video tutorials are there. You can find a lot of video tutorials that can definitely help you to understand how to do certain tasks that you want to accomplish in Sparx.

I think it's very stable and scalable as well. It is also an affordable solution.

What needs improvement?

The UI is a little bit outdated. It should be more fresh and clean.

The other thing that I would really love to see improve is the roadmap capabilities. They advertise that you can use Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect to do roadmapping, but I don't think that this is really accurate because the roadmapping capabilities are very basic and you can't really do a lot with them.

Also, the Veeva Forms Management capabilities, which are built-in, could be improved. They are okay, but they could be much better as well.

I would love to see more emphasis on Agile product development within the tool itself. So, if I am managing an Agile project or a scrum project, I would love to be able to plan my sprints within the tool and manage user stories, use cases, and test cases within the tool itself without the need to use any other tool.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect for approximately two years now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a very stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution, and we currently have three system architects who use it.

We hope to increase usage in the future. We are a consulting company, and if we got a project that required the use of any of the features available in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, then it would be the tool that we will be using.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used MagicDraw and switched to Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect because it has a better UI and also has profiles and ready-made templates.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very straightforward; very easy. It took a very short amount of time, and we were able to have things up and running in less than a day.

What about the implementation team?

I implemented it myself.

What was our ROI?

We absolutely feel that Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect provides a good ROI.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We have an annual license, and it's very affordable.

What other advice do I have?

It's a very good starting point and a very affordable solution with a lot of features. I would rate it at nine on a scale from one to ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
CEO at SEP Consulting kft.
Real User
Practical, stable solution for electronic signature design
Pros and Cons
  • "The advantages of Enterprise are that it's cheaper and much more practical than MagicDraw."
  • "The integration could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use cases are electronic signature design. The electronic signature is typically the NETLOCK, and the electric number is a secret, so it's the NETLOCK electronic signature.

The solution is deployed on-premises.

What is most valuable?

The advantages of Enterprise are that it's cheaper and much more practical than MagicDraw.

What needs improvement?

The model integrity is not the same as MagicDraw, so MagicDraw is a bit better as a tool.

The integration could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for one year, but I don't use Enterprise Architect on a daily basis.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. It doesn't require any specific maintenance.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's scalable.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have also used MagicDraw. We changed from MagicDraw to Enterprise Architect because the client has Enterprise Architect, and we have tried to export all the delivery products to the Enterprise Architect, and more or less, it should be possible.

How was the initial setup?

My understanding is that setup is easier than MagicDraw.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We had a yearly license.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution 9 out of 10. 

That tool is still alive. We recognize that 10 years back, it was the same product, and at the moment it seems to be still alive. That means the background of the product is okay, and it can be in life for the next 10 years.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Business Architect at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Good tuning for multiple layers but it needs to integrate with TRM solutions
Pros and Cons
  • "It provides good utilization and it's a convenient tool for building exact architectural work."
  • "I would like to see integration with Confluence or any other TRM, and the capability to integrate with the data storage, such as a repository similar to GitHub."

What is our primary use case?

We started to build an architecture based on this tool.

We use if for enterprise architecture with multiple domains.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is that it provides tuning for multiple layers of enterprise in the business application architecture. 

We can use the same tool for a different audience. It helps our enterprise architects in building their diagrams. It helps with the handling of the application architect when it comes to the development team.

It provides good utilization and it's a convenient tool for building exact architectural work.

What needs improvement?

One of the drawbacks is that it is oriented on architecture and not user-presented.

Also, one of the disadvantages is that it doesn't provide a better representation level for the readers. It is not integrated with solutions such as Confluence or Jira. This is something that is missing in this solution.

Because it is oriented on architecture, it is not convenient to use this information for the presentations to our clients.

They also have a cloud-based deployment solution and it has a bit more capability to communicate to clients and to the sales team.

I would like to see integration with Confluence or any other TRM, and the capability to integrate with the data storage, such as a repository similar to GitHub.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Sparx System Enterprise Architect for approximately 10 years.

We are using version 14 or 15.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is difficult for us to judge the stability because it is open for us in Europe and spread between two cities, Paris and Amsterdam.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We don't have a strong demand to have a highly scalable solution for building enterprise-related activities.

We have 50 users in our organization who are using this solution.

We may be increasing our usage, as we have had many acquisitions and have more people than we need.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We are not acquainted with any other solution.

How was the initial setup?

If you are talking about Enterprise Architects, the initial setup is quite simple.

We want to keep all of the information inside our own infrastructure. We have our own data centers and for now, we would like for it not to go into cloud deployment.

What about the implementation team?

We had help from the vendor for the implementation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Pricing is open information.

They have the price on their site for the enterprise version, and we do receive a small discount.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We are doing some slow research in the direction of switching to another program. For this year, it's not in the roadmap, but I will approve that for next year because we really want to consider some alternatives.

For example, solutions like LeanIX have more capabilities for integration between different levels of data representation. We can integrate the system with Confluence, and it can integrate with Jira.

What other advice do I have?

We have been quite happy for a number of years, but it has several drawbacks. We are considering an alternative. We are not looking to get rid of this solution but use another product and use them both for a while.

I would rate Sparx System Enterprise Architects a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1640487 - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at a construction company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 20
Has efficient database design capabilities, but the documentation needs improvement
Pros and Cons
  • "The platform is stable and reliable."
  • "The product could be improved in terms of its ease of use and documentation. While it offers a lot of functionality, it can be difficult to grasp how to utilize these features effectively."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product to design and develop databases, leveraging its features to create robust database models.

What is most valuable?

The product's most valuable features are the database design and development capabilities. These features are adequate for my needs, allowing me to create detailed and efficient database models.

What needs improvement?

The product could be improved in terms of its ease of use and documentation. While it offers a lot of functionality, it can be difficult to grasp how to utilize these features effectively.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect for over five years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The platform is stable and reliable.

How are customer service and support?

My experience with customer service and support has been positive. They generally respond within a reasonable time when I have questions or issues.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is reasonable, with the ultimate version costing around 290 Euros for renewal and the initial purchase around 600 Euros. There are no additional costs for maintenance or support, as these are included.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution for those who work in diverse environments and need a versatile tool.

I rate it a seven. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Principal at Mire Consulting
Real User
Reliable, beneficial streams, and good support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is the value streams."
  • "The initial setup of the Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect It's very complicated. It's very difficult to start with the right templates because there are many possibilities. The deployment took approximately two days."

What is our primary use case?

We use the Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect to guide the enterprise data model used for documentation.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is the value streams.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect for approximately three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the scalability of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect a four out of five.

We have approximately 60 people in my organization using this solution.

How are customer service and support?

I rate the technical support of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect a four out of five.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of the Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect It's very complicated. It's very difficult to start with the right templates because there are many possibilities. The deployment took approximately two days.

I would rate the ease of implementation of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect one out of five.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect myself. It's a long whole process to activate it and to be on the right path. It takes a lot of communication with the technical team.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is no license required for this solution.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to others is to get off to the right start by choosing the correct template. That's very important, otherwise, you will be lost.

I rate Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
FileMaker Developer, Agile Software Quality Analyst, Consultant, Trainer & UML / BPMN Modeller at ICONIX
Consultant
We can simulate scenarios and create workflow descriptions, but it should be more interactive and user friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "The Business Process Modeling or BPM part is the most valuable. Its ability to simulate scenarios is also very useful. It can also create descriptions of the workflows. It has a feature in which if you create some BPMN process, a workflow diagram, and the description inside, you can actually simulate the whole scenario, and you get the description. That's very handy."
  • "The Business Process Modeling or BPM feature can be improved to make it more interactive and user friendly because it is a tool for technical people. My current use is only for business process modeling notation and putting in the icons etc. You need to take them in as a class, which makes things very complex. Because of this complexity, it is not an easy-to-handle solution. Enterprise Architect is not very good for mockups. We cannot create user screens and other similar kinds of stuff, which is bad. For these things, we prefer to use Axure RP and other similar solutions. They should either remove this feature from this product or provide some kind of connectivity with Axure RP so that people can do better mockups of screens and import them. They need to augment and strengthen the BPM feature, which is the main feature. They need to put in some elements like artificial intelligence and augmented reality. They should look into such features because these things are coming up."

What is our primary use case?

When I'm developing some of my applications, I collect the requirements from the customer and understand the workflows for different scenarios. I then model the workflows as the point of reference for the development team.

How has it helped my organization?

It allows some kind of reverse engineering, where if you have a database or some different languages, you can reverse engineer and get the diagrams, which is very helpful.

What is most valuable?

The Business Process Modeling or BPM part is the most valuable. Its ability to simulate scenarios is also very useful.

It can also create descriptions of the workflows. It has a feature in which if you create some BPMN process, a workflow diagram, and the description inside, you can actually simulate the whole scenario, and you get the description. That's very handy.

What needs improvement?

The Business Process Modeling or BPM feature can be improved to make it more interactive and user friendly because it is a tool for technical people. My current use is only for business process modeling notation and putting in the icons etc. You need to take them in as a class, which makes things very complex. Because of this complexity, it is not an easy-to-handle solution.

Enterprise Architect is not very good for mockups. We cannot create user screens and other similar kinds of stuff, which is bad. For these things, we prefer to use Axure RP and other similar solutions. They should either remove this feature from this product or provide some kind of connectivity with Axure RP so that people can do better mockups of screens and import them.

They need to augment and strengthen the BPM feature, which is the main feature. They need to put in some elements like artificial intelligence and augmented reality. They should look into such features because these things are coming up.

For how long have I used the solution?

I started using this solution in 2003 when it was version two.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is quite stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is quite scalable. I didn't have any need to involve 30 or 40 technical business analysts or users. We had just a few users because it is used during the business analysis and design phase. Every team can use its own installation.

How are customer service and technical support?

It is hard to access those people. You can get in touch only through email. The same problem is there with Visual Paradigm. They are also accessible only through email. I would rate their support a five out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

There were two products, which were very popular initially. One was STP that was developed by people who started the object paradigm and human modeling. Rational Rose was the other one, which was taken away by IBM, and it was lost. After that, many other tools appeared.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. It is very easy to install.

What other advice do I have?

It is really good if you want to develop workflows. It is not good for data modeling. For data modeling, Visual Paradigm is better.

I would rate Enterprise Architect a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.