SAP PowerDesigner vs SmartDraw comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
SAP Logo
4,325 views|2,564 comparisons
85% willing to recommend
SmartDraw Logo
223 views|192 comparisons
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between SAP PowerDesigner and SmartDraw based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about LeanIX, Sparx Systems, erwin by Quest and others in Enterprise Architecture Management.
To learn more, read our detailed Enterprise Architecture Management Report (Updated: April 2024).
768,415 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:
Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The ROI has been 43%."
  • "PowerDesigner is not the cheapest solution on the market, so make sure that you are using it to its full potential."
  • "I bought the software outright and do not pay a licensing fee."
  • "SAP PowerDesigner is cheaper than eriwin."
  • "The price of the solution is too expensive. When we asked for certain licenses in different countries it was unattainable."
  • "I would like SAP to prove free licenses to professionals that are using the solution. The free version is limited."
  • "Regarding costs, SAP PowerDesigner is pricey, as I've heard from my team manager, which is why the company has been thinking of bringing another solution on board."
  • "The price of the solution is low."
  • More SAP PowerDesigner Pricing and Cost Advice →

    Information Not Available
    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Enterprise Architecture Management solutions are best for your needs.
    768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:In PowerDesigner, I primarily use BPM and modeling standards. I find it beneficial for process analysis, although I use data modeling to a lesser extent.
    Top Answer:Regarding improvements, I suggest enhancing the connection between objects in process and data models. It's crucial to define the structure of objects, especially when dealing with standard frameworks… more »
    Ask a question

    Earn 20 points

    Ranking
    Views
    4,325
    Comparisons
    2,564
    Reviews
    13
    Average Words per Review
    583
    Rating
    7.7
    6th
    Views
    223
    Comparisons
    192
    Reviews
    0
    Average Words per Review
    0
    Rating
    N/A
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Sybase PowerDesigner
    Learn More
    SAP
    Video Not Available
    Overview

    SAP PowerDesigner is a valuable solution for developing several different types of data models according to business process needs. Data models can be logical, conceptual, and physical, and can also include dimensional and relational models. PowerDesiger has the ability to integrate a designed business process model with the actual database design to ensure that all the data process steps are included in the logical model. PowerDesigner is able to use the physical model to create the actual database, and from there, design various physical iterations from a single logical model.

    PowerDesigner can perform excellent reverse-engineering of existing databases to create a model diagram. The solution integrates well with many of today's most recognized database management systems (DBMS). Some of the solution’s featured outputs include custom or standard reports of every object in the design (relationships, field, and tables), design impact analysis, and entity-relationship (ER) designs.

    PowerDesigner offers intuitive capabilities such as metadata management, link and sync, and data modeling. Users can instantly view architecture layers and essentials, access the robust metadata repository, and share findings with the user’s entire team.

    SAP PowerDesigner Features

    • Document Creation: Easily share documents to cultivate an environment of communication and collaboration with all stakeholders in a project. Users can even include non-modelers. Users can provide private, secure access to metadata using hyperlinked Web reporting and multi-model documents, and even use wizard-created lists.

    • Result Analysis: The solution helps merge all model types with an intuitive automated link-and-sync process. Users can easily streamline communication and creative streams to improve the organization’s ability to experience transformation.

    • Intelligence Mapping: Users can develop thorough mapping protocols for data dictionary input. Users can record dependencies correctly with a simple drag-and-drop mapping editor and drag information from any supported source to target model pairs.

    SAP PowerDesigner Benefits

    • Improve Overall Productivity: The solution enables enterprise architects and developers to share information through a trusted metadata repository that can handle all modeling types.

    • Simplify Workflows: PowerDesigner offers an easy-to-use wizard-driven protocol to streamline web-based reporting and documentation, making workloads easier for IT staff and other users.

    • Improve Communication: PowerDesigner’s intuitive link-and-sync technology will facilitate secure trusted networks between an organization's specific protocols, data models, and language.

    Reviews from Real Users

    “The most valuable feature of SAP PowerDesigner is the testing of the models, it has the best function. Reverse engineering is very helpful too. I use SAP PowerDesigner for data modeling and documentation. It interacts well with the other tools. Additionally, we use it for all of the business requirements, such as CDM and PDM.” - Saadat T., Emerging Cloud Solution Architect at a tech services company

    “It's a great tool for documentation. A new data scientist can easily understand the data just by looking at it. Once you are managing your physical data with a logical data model, by looking at this data model, you can understand what it means, the business meaning of the elements which are maintained by the relational database.” - Michael R., DA


    Create presentation-quality business graphics with SmartDraw. SmartDraw makes fast results possible by taking a fundamentally different approach to drawing software. SmartDraw focuses on the end result (your illustration) not the drawing process. Instead of staring at a blank screen, with SmartDraw you start by selecting the exact template you need from over a hundred different types. Then use simple commands to add your information and SmartDraw does the rest.
    Sample Customers
    Medtronic, Cirque du Soleil, Antarc, B&G Manufacturing, EarlySense, eBay, Ferrero, James Austin Company, Lenovo, Sagem, RAK Ceramics, Vodafone
    GM, Mayo Clinic, FedEx, Kraft, General Dynamics, JPL, SAP, Nestle, NIH, Tesla, Texas Children's Hospital, Wisconsin, Emerson, Pepsi, University of Michigan
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm20%
    Retailer13%
    Energy/Utilities Company13%
    Consumer Goods Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm25%
    Government12%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    No Data Available
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business44%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise39%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business19%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise71%
    No Data Available
    Buyer's Guide
    Enterprise Architecture Management
    April 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about LeanIX, Sparx Systems, erwin by Quest and others in Enterprise Architecture Management. Updated: April 2024.
    768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    SAP PowerDesigner is ranked 4th in Enterprise Architecture Management with 32 reviews while SmartDraw is ranked 6th in Mind Mapping Software. SAP PowerDesigner is rated 8.0, while SmartDraw is rated 0.0. The top reviewer of SAP PowerDesigner writes "Difficult to operate, long process to publish, but scalable". On the other hand, SAP PowerDesigner is most compared with erwin Data Modeler by Quest, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, Visio, IDERA ER/Studio and LeanIX, whereas SmartDraw is most compared with Lucidchart, Visio, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and draw.io.

    We monitor all Enterprise Architecture Management 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.