Date Posted: July 22, 2008
Update: February 24, 2009
Two versions are now available, for WebSphere Business Modeler (WBM) version 6.1 or version 6.2.
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- 1. Can I export from WebSphere® Business Modeler to System Architect?
- 2. I used lanes (or pools, text blocks, etc.) in a non-standard way in System Architect. What will happen to them?
- 3. WebSphere Business Modeler is very precise about rules and expressions. How does the migrator handle that, since System Architect is usually less precise?
- 4. My System Architect model does not necessarily follow all the standards and best practices. Will it migrate at all?
1. Can I export from WebSphere® Business Modeler to System Architect?
We are considering options for implementation of a migrator that goes in the other direction.
2. I used lanes (or pools, text blocks, etc.) in a non-standard way in System Architect. What will happen to them?
Migration proceeds according to fixed mapping rules based on object types and a few significant characteristics. See the included documentation for details. Of course, the mapping is based on standard or commonplace uses of the objects and produces the nearest equivalent objects in the WebSphere Business Modeler model. Often, the WebSphere Business Modeler object can be converted to another type of object rather than being discarded.
3. WebSphere Business Modeler is very precise about rules and expressions. How does the migrator handle that, since System Architect is usually less precise?
When there is a possibility that the property values in System Architect might not fit the WebSphere Business Modeler constraints, they will be copied as strings into the nearest associated description field. In WebSphere Business Modeler, you can select individual objects and check the description field for notes left by the migrator. (These notes will always be in English.)
4. My System Architect model does not necessarily follow all the standards and best practices. Will it migrate at all?
A model must deviate pretty far from the norm in order to not be migrated. Usually, the WebSphere Business Modeler version can be created and have something to represent each "node" in the System Architect diagram. The mapping algorithm tries to favor creating more than enough items rather than discarding items so that you can see your options in WebSphere Business Modeler. In addition, some non-standard combinations will be listed in a warning list that appears when the migration is finished; that list can be saved for later review.
