CRESWICK, AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/21/11 -- Sparx Systems, a leading vendor of modeling tools based on open standards, today announced the official release of Enterprise Architect 9, a major update to its award winning modeling and design platform.

Enterprise Architect 9 offers innovative solutions to those faced with the task of developing and managing highly complex processes, software and systems in a timely manner. "It redefines the possibilities of visual modeling and design environments," commented Tom O'Reilly, Sparx Systems COO. "Version 9 includes hundreds of new analysis, collaboration and productivity enhancements, which enable software developers, business analysts and systems engineers to think through and communicate their solutions - before dedicating their resources to a course of action."

Ramsay Millar, Practice Leader for Integrate IT, said, "Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 9 is a highly unique product that defies the traditional definition of mature market Case Tools. This remarkable product is like a high quality 'swiss army knife' that may be applied to the entire business model, architecture and software product delivery cycle."

"Our customers rely on Enterprise Architect to assist them to model and design the processes, software and systems which are helping them innovate and perform day-to-day business," remarked Mr. O'Reilly. "Central to this release has been the integration of essential new tools and capabilities into Enterprise Architect's single, agile environment."

A few release highlights include:

--  Support for the latest OMG standards including UML 2.3, BPMN 2.0 and
    SysML 1.2. BPEL generation from BPMN models. Gap Analysis tools. Win32
    profiles and new 'hand drawn' modes for effective and conceptual user
    interface prototyping.

--  New tools and methods for managing full and partial models shared using
    standard or version controlled packages. Supports improved development
    of models in a highly distributed and/or tightly controlled development
    scenario.

--  A new suite of tools to test and verify system behavior and assist
    developers build accurate and robust code. New analytical and quality
    assurance capabilities include behavioral simulation, visual execution
    analysis capabilities and PHP debugging. Also new is the ability to
    apply xUnit style test logic on top of existing code using Programming
    by Contract principles.

--  All new tools to manage project resources and tasks and how they
    integrate into the overall development effort. Includes new features
    such as the Project Calendar for scheduling and Gantt charts to track
    resources and work assignments. Collaborate at the model level using the
    new Personal Information Manager which helps the user track their
    personal tasking, their workspaces, workflow responsibilities and to
    stay in touch with other modelers using an integrated Model Mail
    feature.

--  Improved ability to publish models in flexible and varying formats.
    Enhancements include the ability to publish reports in PDF format,
    generate HTML reports from Model and Master documents, new reporting
    capabilities and a new document template designer.

--  An even more flexible and intuitive environment is built on the proven
    model of earlier versions; featuring numerous user interface upgrades
    and enhancements which optimize the user experience and improve both
    productivity and usability.

--  All new resources to help master modeling and design concepts and employ
    the full range of Enterprise Architect's functionality. The new Learning
    Center contains hundreds of worked examples and step-by-step guides.
    Plus the new Application and Example patterns provide quick access to
    many useful worked examples.

To view the full list of the updates and enhancements in Enterprise Architect 9 visit: http://www.sparxsystems.com/ea9.

About Sparx Systems

Named to the SD Times 100 list of top software companies for the past 3 consecutive years, Sparx Systems specializes in high performance and scalable visual modeling tools for the planning, design, construction and analysis of Systems, Software and Business systems.

With customers in industries ranging from aerospace and automotive engineering to finance, defense, government, entertainment and telecommunications, Sparx Systems is a leading vendor of innovative solutions based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and its related specifications. A Contributing Member of the Object Management Group (OMG), Sparx Systems is committed to realizing the potential of model-driven development based on open standards.

The company's flagship product, Enterprise Architect, has received numerous accolades since its commercial release in August, 2000. Now at version 9, Enterprise Architect is the design tool of choice for over 250,000 registered users world-wide.

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• Sparx Systems Releases Enterprise Architect 10