An architecture designed for all stakeholders
With Boldo, teams can consult the same assets and reuse their data across several visualizations. Readers explore the shared content, while editors contribute according to their roles and access domains.
Looking for an alternative to OBEO SmartEA?
Obeo SmartEA is a commercial enterprise architecture platform built on the open source technologies EMF and Eclipse Sirius. Boldo offers a repository configurable in the browser. Compare their scopes.
OBEO SmartEA and Boldo: two approaches to compare
OBEO SmartEA
Description
Obeo SmartEA is a graphical and collaborative enterprise architecture solution built on the open source technologies EMF and Eclipse Sirius. It supports ArchiMate 3.2 and BPMN 2.0, offers a shared repository, along with impact and gap analyses between source and target architectures. Its metamodel, views and connectors can be adapted or replaced.
The choice between Obeo SmartEA and Boldo therefore depends less on an opposition between a technical tool and an accessible one than on the framework you are looking for. Obeo SmartEA provides modeling standards, a web client and extension capabilities relying on EMF, Sirius and Java APIs. Boldo favors a flexible web environment to connect assets and produce several visualizations, with hosting in France.
Key Features
ArchiMate 3.2 and BPMN 2.0 support
Eclipse Sirius-based technology
Customizable views and viewpoints
Shared repository and data federation
Pros
Strong technical configuration capacity
Native support for ArchiMate 3.2 and BPMN 2.0
Web client and real-time collaborative modeling
Cons
Paid licenses (Contributor, Administrator) on quote, free read-only access
Advanced configuration based on EMF, Sirius and AQL
Custom connectors to develop with the documented Java APIs
Boldo · Aperçu produit
Reason #1
Compare the day-to-day administration experience
Obeo SmartEA is not restricted to an Eclipse client: its repository is accessible from a web browser. Depending on the rights granted, users can view part of the repository, edit data or create diagrams and tables. Advanced administration and customization, however, draw on concepts specific to EMF, Sirius and AQL.
Boldo also offers a web environment and separates the uses of consultation, contribution and governance. The gap should be assessed on concrete tasks, for example finding an asset, updating its properties, producing a view and controlling rights, rather than on a general promise of use without training.
Reason #2
Evolve the metamodel from the browser
Obeo SmartEA lets you modify, extend or replace the metamodel and the views provided. This capability is real, but its advanced implementation relies on EMF and Sirius. Specific connectors are built on documented Java APIs.
Boldo lets you evolve asset types, their properties and their relationships within its web environment. When evaluating, compare the level of autonomy actually granted to administrators, the governance rules available and the effort required to bring in existing data.
Boldo · Aperçu produit
Boldo · Aperçu produit
Reason #3
Make architecture a dialogue tool
Obeo SmartEA is not limited to static views. Its official site documents the simultaneous editing of the same diagram, a shared repository, web tables and diagrams, along with impact and gap analyses between source and target architectures.
Boldo offers views, diagrams, charts, nested maps and dashboards from the same assets. The useful comparison therefore focuses on the output formats, the readability for each audience and the way repository changes ripple through the visualizations.
Boldo versus other EA solutions
Compare Boldo with 10+ other enterprise architecture modeling and mapping solutions.
Hosting in France
Boldo hosts data in France.
A flexible metamodel that adapts to your reality
Every organization is different. Boldo offers a flexible and evolving metamodel that adapts to your context, your constraints and your maturity level. You don't have to fit into a fixed framework: the model evolves with your organization, not the other way around.
Several visualizations from the same data
Boldo lets you present the same knowledge in several forms: views, diagrams, charts, nested maps and dashboards. Each format answers a different need, from detailed exploration to presenting indicators.
Clear, fair and transparent pricing
Boldo displays its prices: from €39 excl. VAT per editor/month, with the details of the plans published on the pricing page (Enterprise on quote). You can create an account online and enjoy a free 14-day trial, with no commitment.
OBEO SmartEA vs Boldo
| OBEO SmartEA | Boldo | |
|---|---|---|
Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Viewer (read-only, free), Contributor and Administrator licenses, amounts on quote | From €39 excl. VAT per editor/month (Enterprise on quote) |
| Free trial | Immediate-access online trial | Free 14-day trial, no commitment |
| Online subscription | On quote | |
Collaboration | ||
| Access rights management | Profiles by information, views and functions (SSO OpenID Connect, LDAP) | Rights based on roles and access domains |
| Real-time collaborative modeling | Simultaneous editing of the same diagram documented | Multi-user work on a shared repository |
| Comments, mentions and notifications | Not publicly documented | Built-in comments, mentions and notifications |
| Version management | Comparison of source and target architectures | Change history |
Modeling | ||
| Process modeling | Native BPMN 2.0 | Modeling by assets and relationships, without native BPMN notation |
| ArchiMate metamodel support | Native ArchiMate 3.2 | Free modeling, without a native ArchiMate library |
| Metamodel approach | Standard metamodel (ArchiMate/BPMN) modifiable or replaceable via EMF and Sirius | Free metamodel, configurable in the browser |
Visualization | ||
| Output formats | ArchiMate/BPMN diagrams, tables and dashboards | Views, diagrams, charts, nested maps and dashboards |
| Nested maps | Not publicly documented | |
Data and hosting | ||
| Hosting in France | Depending on deployment (vendor cloud or on-premise at the client) | (Scaleway) |
| On-premise hosting | ||
The other alternatives
LeanIX
Description
LeanIX is an enterprise architecture and application portfolio management platform designed to help large organizations document, analyze and govern their application landscape. Positioned for large organizations, the solution is particularly strong in Application Portfolio Management (APM), technology risk management and support for transformation programs, notably around SAP.
LeanIX primarily targets architecture and transformation teams that want to structure and steer complex IT environments at scale. The platform emphasizes data consistency, standardized reporting and integration with the ecosystem, suited to very mature and heavily governed organizations.
Key Features
Application Inventory (Fact Sheets)
Dependency Matrices
Survey Management
Compliance Reporting
SAP LeanIX Connector
Pros
Configurable best-practice metamodel
Billing per application, not per user
SAP and third-party integrations
Cons
Cost per application
Functions split across several solutions
Detailed amounts provided on request
Ardoq
Description
Ardoq is a data-driven enterprise architecture platform designed to help organizations visualize, analyze and manage complex IT environments. By connecting applications, systems and processes into a living repository, Ardoq replaces static diagrams with dynamic views.
Key Features
Dynamic knowledge graph
Future-state (to-be) scenarios
API-driven automation
Intelligent data importer
Ardoq Discover (collaborative portal)
Pros
Data-driven architecture repository
Documented APIs and automations
Future-state scenario simulations
Cons
Prices not published, on quote
Horizzon
Description
A European business design and enterprise architecture platform, Bizzdesign Horizzon connects strategy, business capabilities, operating models and IT architecture within a unified environment.
The solution is primarily aimed at large organizations looking to structure, steer and govern complex transformations.
Key Features
Full ArchiMate/TOGAF support
Complex lifecycle analysis
Advanced strategic roadmapping
Governance and validation workflows
Advanced graphical design capabilities
Pros
ArchiMate and TOGAF support
Transformation analyses and roadmaps
Views suited to multiple stakeholders
Cons
Prices not published, on quote
ArchiMate requires a standardized modeling practice
HOPEX
Description
HOPEX is a range historically developed by MEGA International and now integrated into the Bizzdesign portfolio.
It is historically very present in regulated sectors and the public sector, for compliance, risk management and governance.
The solution is primarily aimed at organizations looking to formalize their architecture exhaustively, relying on solid repositories and methodological frameworks.
Key Features
Unified EA/GRC/Process repository
Deep data modeling
Application Portfolio Management (APM)
Regulatory compliance analysis
Configurable validation workflows
Pros
Unified repository for architecture, data, risk and processes
APM, technology, BPM and GRC functions
Multi-dimensional impact analyses
Cons
Prices not published, on quote
Scope split across several solutions
BlueDolphin
Description
BlueDolphin is an enterprise architecture platform developed by ValueBlue. It helps organizations align strategy, business processes, information systems and data within a common repository, with strong capabilities for modeling (current / target state), impact analysis and collaboration between stakeholders.
Key Features
Data collection questionnaires
Application portfolio management
Impact analysis
Process diagrams
SmartViews synchronized with the repository
Pros
Collaboration between architecture, IT and business
Public API and documented integrations
Visualizations linked to the repository
Cons
Prices not published, on quote
Offering centered on SaaS
