Structure 2005 for Enterprise Architecture Knowledge Sharing and Management Systems Released by Framework Software

Business Wire, May 16, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- Structure(R) 2005, an upgrade for the PC/LAN desktop edition in Framework Software's (www.frameworksoft.com) family of products for enterprise architecture, knowledge sharing and knowledge management, was released today.

Thomas A. Hokel, Framework Software, Inc. (FSI) CEO, said Structure now supports defining contact and project hierarchies as well as sports a fresh Windows XP-style interface to provide users with easy access to information through its formal matrix or grid-based application.

Structure 2005 is immediately available and is shipping as an upgrade for existing customers.

According to Hokel, Structure's framework-based interface speeds user navigation for enterprise environments, especially for those who want to browse large catalogs and retrieve and manage documents and models from complex central repositories of information.

The Framework Software CEO said that the complete suite of Structure products solves a major problem with the organization of documents and models and, consequently, access to them. "Both the PC/LAN and web-based applications provide fast and direct access to all electronically stored documents, models, files, media and Web-based content that an organization regularly uses in developing and maintaining enterprise architectures. Both Structure.Net and Structure, the desktop version, allow these artifacts to be linked with other relevant artifacts in an enterprise," he said.

"At the heart of the Structure architecture is the Framework, an attractive graphical layout consisting of seven rows and seven columns of 'cells' that users can specify as virtual locations for corporate artifacts," Hokel said. "Frameworks are highly flexible architectural constructs that provide holistic views and help knowledge managers and enterprise architects classify and share context-based information throughout the enterprise. They provide a convenient way of organizing, storing and retrieving the thousands of different digital artifacts companies generate in the normal course of developing meta-model repositories, enterprise engineering systems, the enterprise itself, and the products they produce."

One customer, according to Hokel noted that: "Structure matches the way enterprise architects think about projects."

Knowledge workers can utilize the default names for framework cells and artifact classifications provided in the software product or change these labels to reflect corporate preferences. Selected cells may also be hidden, thus creating "knowledge frames." In addition, the names of frameworks and artifacts can be assigned a color, making them easily identifiable.

Structure also supports version control and configuration management of artifacts, as well as frameworks. Each cell can be used to browse "card catalogs," open documents and models, launch software applications, invoke multimedia files or access Web sites. Other management features in all versions of Structure allow more advanced searching through artifacts.

The Structure Suite helps enterprises implement the concepts of the Zachman Framework. John A. Zachman, the internationally recognized "Father of Enterprise Architecture," developed the Zachman Framework. Framework Software, Inc. has acquired the rights to use his schema in the Structure Suite of products.

The Structure Suite also supports the cataloging and access of Federal Enterprise Architecture and Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) products, Hokel said.

He added that each version of Structure ships with a "Common Reference Framework" that can be used as the starting point for companies new to using these graphical tools for classifying and storing artifacts. This sample framework has over 300 catalog entries to help customers quickly start their own enterprise architecture knowledge bases. In addition, Structure.Net and the desktop version of Structure are available with several other "starter" frameworks in the sample database, among them Data Warehouse, Decision Support System, Executive Information System and Business Process Improvement/Re-engineering. Each version includes a Report Writer database with several "canned" reports that can be used as a "jump start."

Structure (PC/LAN) has a special introductory offer price of $495 (US). Structure.Net is priced at $11,995 (US) for the SQL Server and Oracle Editions and $6,995 (US) for the MS Access Edition. The SQL Server and Oracle Editions also include the MS Access Edition. All Structure Suite products include a one-year, renewable software maintenance agreement.

Framework Software, Inc., founded in 1993, develops and supports both PC/LAN and Web-based versions of Structure, all designed around the Zachman Framework, and a business rules management tool called RuleTrack(R). The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, and can be reached at 970-453-7293, or via e-mail at fsi-info@frameworksoft.com.