erwin Data Modeler

erwin Data Modeler
Developer(s)
Stable release
r9.7 / January 2017 (January 2017)
Operating system Microsoft Windows
Type CASE tool
License Proprietary EULA
Website www.erwin.com
As of October 2017

erwin Data Modeler (stylized as erwin but formerly as ERwin) is computer software for data modeling. Originally developed by Logic Works, erwin has since been acquired by a series of companies, before being spun-off by the private equity firm Parallax Capital Partners, which acquired and incorporated it as a separate entity, erwin, Inc., managed by CEO Adam Famularo.

The software’s engine is based on the IDEF1X method, although it now also supports diagrams displayed with a variant information technology engineering notation, as well as a dimensional modeling notation.

History

ERwin was created by Logic Works, which was based in Princeton, New Jersey.[1] In May 1993, Logic Works released ERwin/ERX, a version of the tool designed to work in conjunction with PowerBuilder. The database models created using ERwin could be translated into software built through the PowerBuilder integrated development environment (IDE).[2] In May 1995, Logic Works ERwin was expanded to include several other IDEs, adding SQLWindows from Gupta Technologies and Visual Basic from Microsoft.[3] As of 1996, ERwin was among several data modeling software solutions being used to facilitate a wide move to the client–server model in database management.[4]

In 1998, Logic Works was acquired by Platinum Technology which was later acquired, in May 1999, by Computer Associates (CA).[5] ERwin was initially made part of CA’s Jasmine suite but it was later added to their new AllFusion suite[6] under the name AllFusion ERwin Data Modeler.[7][8] The tool was later renamed to CA ERwin Data Modeler.[9]

In 2014 Embarcadero Technologies sought to acquire the product from CA, Inc.[1] This acquisition was blocked by the Department of Justice over anti-competitive concerns.[10][11]

In April 2016, Parallax Capital Partners, a private equity firm, acquired the software from CA Technologies[12] and appointed Adam Famularo as CEO.[13] The company now operates under a new name stylized as erwin, Inc.[14] In September 2016, erwin announced that it had acquired Corso, a British enterprise architecture service provider.[15] In December of the same year, erwin acquired the business process modeling software Casewise, with a plan to integrate the two.[16]

Overview

At its core, erwin has a computer-aided software engineering tool (or CASE tool).[17] Users can utilize erwin Data Modeler as a way to take conceptual data model and create a logical data model that is not dependent on a specific database technology.[18] This schematic model can be used to create the physical data model. Users can then forward engineer the data definition language required to instantiate the schema for a range of database-management systems.[19] The software includes features to graphically modify the model, including dialog boxes for specifying the number of entity–relationships, database constraints, indexes, and data uniqueness.[17] erwin supports three data modeling languages: IDEF1X,[20] a variant of information technology engineering [21] developed by James Martin,[22] and a form of dimensional modeling notation.[23]

The software also allows users to generate data models by reverse-engineering pre-existing databases that are based on several different formats.[24] Another included feature is erwin’s ability to create reusable design standards: “including naming standards, data type standards, model templates and more.” The software includes several features for modifying how the data model is displayed, including options for several colors, fonts, diagrams, subject areas and layouts.[25]

erwin’s Complete Compare feature allows the user to compare two versions of a model, displays differences, and allows for merging and updates in either direction.[26] As of March 2016, the software bundle also includes its own Report Designer.[11]

Release history

Release version Date Notable features
R3.0 May 1997 Redesigned user interface, integrated reporting tool[27]
R9.6 March 2016 Apache Hadoop integration, Mart Server and Report Designer[11]
R9.7 January 2017
R9.8 January 2018 Native Support for Apache Hive and PostgreSQL, Certified compatible with Teradata v16.1, Oracle 12c R2, PostgreSQL 9.6.5. Enhanced, self-service activation-based licensing. [28]

Notable users

Beginning in 1992, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was one of the larger organizations to utilize ERwin to integrate its many independent databases located at its 120 field offices. UNDP used ERwin to develop a “corporate data model”, with the goal of “reducing redundant data entry” and create a single database framework based on which “all future systems can be designed”. ERwin was used to both reverse-engineer existing data at field offices and also move data from Computer Associates’ IDMS to Sybase’s UnixRDBMS.[29]

As of 2001, the insurance company Aetna used Erwin Data Modeler to automate maintenance of its database table definitions. Aetna’s database consisted of 15,000 table definitions which became difficult to maintain manually.[30]

As of 2002, ERwin was among the products used by the New York Power Authority.[31] The software was also in use by Utah State Office of Education as of 2006.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Jackson, Joab (2014-03-14). "Embarcadero moves into data modeling with CA ERwin buy". PCWorld. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  2. ↑ PC Client/server. Computerworld. 1993-05-17. pp. 71, 75.
  3. ↑ Nash, Kim S. (1995-05-08). "Database utility choices highlighted". Computerworld. IDG Enterprise. p. 127.
  4. ↑ Richman, Dan (1996-07-29). "CASE reincarnation". Computerworld. pp. 45, 49. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  5. ↑ "Computer Associates' Jasmine goes Platinum". KMWorld Magazine. 1999-03-30. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  6. ↑ Songini, Marc L. (2001-11-26). "CA product lines get second overhaul". Computerworld. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  7. 1 2 Hamblen, Matt. "Brief: CA to release new modeling tool". Computerworld. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  8. ↑ Bergeron, Bryan (2013). Developing a Data Warehouse for the Healthcare Enterprise: Lessons from the Trenches. HIMSS. ISBN 9781938904332.
  9. ↑ Burbank, Donna; Hoberman, Steve (2011-08-01). Data Modeling Made Simple with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8. Technics Publications. ISBN 9781634620697.
  10. ↑ "Embarcadero Technologies and CA Inc. Terminate Proposed Transfer of CA Inc.'s ERwin Data Modeler". OPA. Department of Justice. 2014-11-05. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  11. 1 2 3 Zaino, Jennifer (2016-06-09). "ERwin Looks to the Future of Data Modeling". Dataversity. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  12. ↑ Wells, Joyce (2016-04-06). "Parallax Acquires ERwin from CA Technologies as Part of Big Data Strategy". Database Trends and Applications. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  13. ↑ Cardoza, Christina (2016-04-07). "ERwin becomes a standalone company". SD Times. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  14. ↑ Zaino, Jennifer (2017-02-23). "Erwin's End Game: Holistic Data Management". Dataversity. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  15. ↑ Guess, A.R. (2016-09-14). "erwin Acquires SaaS Enterprise Architecture Provider, Corso". Dataversity. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  16. ↑ Woodie, Alex (2016-12-13). "Business Process Mining Promises Big Data Payoff". Datanami. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  17. 1 2 Teorey, Toby J.; Lightstone, Sam S.; Nadeau, Tom; Jagadish, H. V. (2011-02-10). Database Modeling and Design: Logical Design. Elsevier. p. 234. ISBN 9780123820211.
  18. ↑ Fernandez, Iggy (2009-02-18). Beginning Oracle Database 11g Administration: From Novice to Professional. Apress. p. 131. ISBN 9781590599686.
  19. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 481.
  20. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 47.
  21. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 328.
  22. ↑ Vogel, Peter (2010-12-09). "Starting a Data Model in CA's ERwin". Visual Studio Magazine. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  23. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 496.
  24. ↑ Vogel, Peter (2010-12-01). "Designing Databases with ERwin Data Modeler 7.3". Visual Studio Magazine. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  25. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 38-39.
  26. ↑ Burbank 2011, p. 38.
  27. ↑ "Briefs: Database modeling". Computerworld. p. 57. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  28. ↑ https://erwin.com/news/general-availability-announcement-erwin-data-modeler-r9-8/
  29. ↑ Hoffman, Thomas (1993-08-09). "U.N. group globalizes data modeling". Computerworld. pp. 69, 74. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  30. ↑ Nance, Barry (2001-04-23). "Managing Tons Of Data". Computerworld. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  31. ↑ Songini, Marc L. (2002-03-04). "CA Customers Hang Tough". Computerworld. Retrieved 2017-10-02.

Further reading

  • DeAngelis, Carla (2000). Data Modeling with ERwin. Sams. ISBN 0-672-31868-7.
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