IBM Blueworks Live vs Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM Blueworks Live and Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Business Process Design solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed IBM Blueworks Live vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The stability is pretty good. It is highly available, which is key. You don't lose your work and can autosave.""Business users understand it really well, which means we can then help them automate their business processes.""The ease of documenting and digitizing the processes was valuable to us.""The licenses are transferrable between different users.""Valuable features include real-time modeling and design work, the ability to perform workshops with clients in real-time with the tool, and getting instant output.""I like the two-tiered approach, that is, discover and then drill down to the main steps. You can right click and attach risk, policies, and much more. It is a user-friendly solution.""You can use if from your mobile device or you can be on the desktop. It doesn't matter. You are always connected. It is cloud-based, so you don't have to install anything.""For me the most valuable feature is that it's one depository for our bank. So it's not like everybody has their critical processes on SharePoint or on their desktops. Everything is centrally located. It's very intuitive, easy to use. The support that I get from IBM is always great."

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"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.""Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect supports multiple modeling languages like ArchiMate for database design, software lifecycle visualization, and team management.""It has led some teams to do better code reviews - to be less focussed on coding conventions (syntax) and more focussed on the semantics because of the abstraction level clear design affords.""The system provides powerful tools for obtaining reports and documentation.""Ability to maintain cross-references for all models in all levels - great tractability.""The initial setup is easy.""Artifact templates are most valuable.""The most valuable feature is the integrated data model, so if I change the name of an item, all models using that object are automatically updated."

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Cons
"IBM Blueworks is BPMN 2.0 compliant, but it does not adapt to the overarching BPMN 2.0 concepts.""The solution is a very basic discovery product so it doesn't have that much modeling capability. This can be improved.""Sometimes, the tool is automatic, which can complicate it, but once you're accustomed to manipulating it, you can use it very effectively.""The APIs are great, except the normal business user doesn't know how to create APIs. So it's hard because IBM comes to us as the business users and tell us to create reporting with APIs, except we don't know that, so we have to turn around and flip it to our IT people.""I wish Blueworks Live had simulations built in, but it doesn't. It also lacks a feature of reporting; ad hoc, drag and drop reporting. A lot of senior people are always asking for reports, and there's no reporting feature within IBM Blueworks.""The objects that the solution creates are not unique.""The user interface is quite easy at first but process analysts soon run into roadblocks of limited functionality, which is disappointing.""We'd also like to see it be Six Sigma or Lean compatible, a lot of people have asked about that."

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"Inconsistent UI elements must be tidied up with the toolbox gaps removed.""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.""The templates for documentation should be enhanced to include complex documents such as template RFP, or Non functional requirements template.""Sparx can be a bit slow. If you are trying to design software architecture, sometimes we run into issues and need to refresh.""Because its easy to create diagrams one needs to be vigilant on the housekeeping of orphaned fragments - I have written my own scripts to do this, maybe they are available now.""This solution has some limitations from a business perspective.""They should make the Save button easier to find. A simplified user interface for a lighter user would probably be useful. I am not sure if such an interface is already there.""The presentation graphics need to be improved in future builds."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Based on the licenses purchased, from a footprint perspective, you can have as many people as you want. You have multiple different categories of licenses to keep the cost low."
  • "We are seeing ROI from this solution. The solution has saved us time."
  • "They have a free subscription model that gives a lot of power to the users."
  • "Making it less expensive would be good."
  • "The solution is not very expensive."
  • "There are editor licenses that are around 50 euros per month, and contributor licenses that are around 30 euros per month."
  • "Price wise, IBM Blueworks Live is in the middle range, and I would give it a five out of ten."
  • "The solution is very, very cost-effective."
  • More IBM Blueworks Live Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The Corporate Edition, or one of the bundles, is the way to go."
  • "Use floating licenses strategically."
  • "The pricing for ultimate version is steeply high."
  • "Licenses are pretty low cost compared to, for example, ARIS."
  • "It’s the best deal in town, by far."
  • "Pricing and licensing is very attractive, simple, and straightforward."
  • "Pricing and licensing are suitable even for small companies."
  • "In terms of cost, Sparx EA is probably one of the cheapest tools I have ever used."
  • More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The solution is easy to operate. Also, there is an automatic mode to make the business flow. You don't have to put any lines or arrows in a decision point in IBM Blueworks Live; it's very automatic.
    Top Answer:The solution costs around 600-700 dollars/year, which is quite affordable.
    Top Answer:Sometimes, the tool is automatic, which can complicate it, but once you're accustomed to manipulating it, you can use it very effectively.
    Top Answer:In my opinion, there is no real difference between the three tools. All three are software that help organizations model and document their business processes. However, there are some key differences… more »
    Ranking
    12th
    Views
    3,276
    Comparisons
    2,041
    Reviews
    8
    Average Words per Review
    495
    Rating
    7.8
    4th
    Views
    11,884
    Comparisons
    8,870
    Reviews
    10
    Average Words per Review
    449
    Rating
    6.9
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    IBM Lombardi Blueprint
    Learn More
    Sparx Systems
    Video Not Available
    Overview
    IBM Blueworks Live is a cloud-based business process modeling tool that helps discover, map and document processes and accessible anywhere through a browser and that generates industry-standard BPMN 2.0 layouts, documentation and output. Tutorial videos guide you through creating and editing a simple process model, allowing you to learn and perform business process modeling in minutes.

    Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is an enterprise solution that helps streamline, accelerate, and integrate software, system, and business development. With this intuitive modeling and design solution, enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, enable collaboration, support their teams and colleagues, and manage complex projects. Software architects, business analysts, project managers, developers, support staff, and testers can unite under a single repository. Through numerous view points and potential sub-systems, users are offered a unified view in a complex environment.

    With Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, users are also offered a shared model option which can be accessed quickly and securely by in-office and remote team members through the Enterprise Architect’s Pro Cloud Server. Building a coherent, verifiable model can be done by connecting and integrating a variety of behavioral and structural information in visual form. As a result, Enterprise Architect offers high performance, flexibility, and the ability to model, manage, and trace every stage of the business development and modeling process.

    Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Features

    Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect assists in creating a unified and accessible vision in business development by offering a flexible platform with a unique set of rich features. These features include:

    • Test and debug - Streamline software development and visualize software with the simulation process. Users can test and confirm correct behavior, set and oversee test points, and debug and examine software.
    • Track tasks - Track, prioritize, and assign individual and group tasks to assist in the model’s development. Users can visually monitor their progress through the Gantt chart.
    • Open standards - Users can visualize and analyze running software with integrated custom tools. They can also run advanced simulations, team-based repositories, testing tools, and version control. In addition, the solution supports enterprise architecture frameworks such as UPDM and TOGAF.
    • Simulation - Create and debug embedded solutions by simulating behaviors and state models. Users can specify events, triggers, constraints, and more. Users can also specify extensive and complex structural systems and create custom domain-specific solutions.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect merges high-end tools, online availability, a dedication to open standards, and accessible pricing so enterprises can stay in control of their workplaces, whether remote or in-office. Users particularly like the architectural frameworks and the scalability.

    Marc L., a principal architecture enterprise solution adviser at Cronomagic Canada, notes, "The product offers very good support for all mainstream modeling notations and architectural frameworks."

    An enterprise architect at a manufacturing company writes, "Scalable solution for modeling, project sharing, and collaboration. Support for it is good."

    Sample Customers
    Cloudsoft Corp. Ltd., Bayer, S¾SS, Essex County Council
    OmniLink
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company33%
    Financial Services Firm17%
    Retailer11%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm21%
    Government10%
    Insurance Company9%
    Computer Software Company9%
    REVIEWERS
    Government16%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Energy/Utilities Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization14%
    Government11%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business23%
    Midsize Enterprise5%
    Large Enterprise73%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business12%
    Midsize Enterprise10%
    Large Enterprise77%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business33%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise50%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business15%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise62%
    Buyer's Guide
    IBM Blueworks Live vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Blueworks Live vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    IBM Blueworks Live is ranked 12th in Business Process Design with 20 reviews while Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is ranked 4th in Business Process Design with 97 reviews. IBM Blueworks Live is rated 8.2, while Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of IBM Blueworks Live writes "An easily scalable and affordable solution that enables users to document and digitize processes with ease". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect writes "Easy to set up and had no issues with stability, but it's not a very friendly tool, and its database modeling and entity-relationship modeling functions need improvement". IBM Blueworks Live is most compared with Visio, SAP Signavio Process Manager, Lucidchart, ARIS Cloud and ARIS BPA, whereas Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is most compared with Visual Paradigm, Visio, No Magic MagicDraw, Lucidchart and LeanIX. See our IBM Blueworks Live vs. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect report.

    See our list of best Business Process Design vendors.

    We monitor all Business Process Design reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.