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Data Modeling Tools

Data modeling tools provide the analyst with the ability to prepare both visual data models as well as database schema creation scripts of
complex data structures, enforce enterprise-wide standards for data management and inventory information supporting a variety of
database vendor's products such as Oracle, SQL Server etc.
Data modeling tools help the analyst develop logical and physical data models that can be reviewed in visual form by team and staff
memebers. Version control of the files can also be implemented helping the review and approval cycle of data models.
Another popular use of data modeling tools is to reverse-engineer a data model from an existing database schema.
The data modeling tools are not a substitute for the majority of the work which must be performed which includes undertanding and
implementing good business and data modeling practices such as:
Proper normalization and indexing of tables for efficient insert, query, and update operations.
Efficient data modeling design integrated with stored procedures for proper transaction control of transaction sets (commit vs.
rollback).
Proper design and creation of transactional, static (look-up) tables, as well as auditing objects.
Identification of schemas, owners, and security levels or roles.
Identification of appropriate tablespaces usually separated by data and index by schema.
Timestamp fields for transactional tables showing creation and update dates and users for rows of data.
This web page is not intended to be a tutorial on how to best use data modeling tools. Data modeling is an art form that requires knowledge
at the business levels, database level, and application usage levels and is usually performed by data architects.
The following is a list of Data Modeling tools and the corresponding web sites:
Data Modeling
Tool

Release

Vendor

Features

Over twenty years in the marketplace ERWin is a software tool for data modeling that includes
data requirements analysis and database design of custom developed systems. These include
OLTP (transactional) and OLAP systems (data marts) using the IDEF1X methodology.
Originally developed by Logic Works along with the companion tool BPwin (for business
process modeling), Logic Works was acquired by Platimum Technology in 1998 and then was
acquired by Computer Associates in 1999.

CA ERwin Model
CA ERWin Data Manager

Computer

Modeler

Associates

(free download
trials available)

Main Features:
Logical Data Modeling
Physical Data Modeling
Logical to Physical Transformation
Forward Engineering
Reverse Engineering
Model to Model Comparison
Undo Feature
http://www.ca.com/us/products/product.aspx?ID=1002

Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler supports logical and physical relational data modeling and
generates conceptual relationship diagrams. Released in July 2009, this tool integrates with
Oracle SQL Developer and includes a variety of data modeling features including:
ER modeling
Relational database design

Oracle SQL
Developer

2.0.0.57.0

Data Modeler

Oracle

Data Type and Multi-Dimensional Modeling

Corporation

Full Forward and Reverse Engineering

DDL Code generation
Import and Export from a variety of sources and targets
Use with the Oracle database
Viewer software is also available
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/datamodeler/index.html

ER/Studio is a data architecture and database design software tool that works across multiple
database platforms. The tool is used by data architects, data modelers, database
administrators, and business analysts to create and manage database designs, document, and
re-use data assets.
ER/Studio suports IDEF1X, Star schema, and snowflake schemas.

www.datamonkies.com/datamodelingtools.htm

ER/Studio

Some of the features are listed below as well as on the web link:

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Some of the features are listed below as well as on the web link:

ER/Studio
Enterprise 8.5

Supports both Logical and Physical modeling

Generates XML Schemas either logical or physical models

ER/Studio Data
Architect
ER/Studio
ER/Studio

Supports Automation and scripting

Embarcadero

Forward and reverse engineering

Technologies

Automated database code generation

Business

Models and metadata integrated

Architect

Sub-model management, repository, where used support

Supports web publishing, RTF, and MS Office integration
Integrated model metadata with other platforms (BI, ETL, other modeling tools).
Data history documentation
Dimensional modeling supported
Model completion validation supported
Automatic foreign key migration supported
Capacity planning supported
http://www.embarcadero.com/products/er-studio

InfoSphere Data
IBM Data
Architect,
ModelRight

Enterprise data modeling and integration design tool that you can use to discover, model,

Architect 7.5.2
IBM

compare, and standardize data assets. Includes volumetric data for capacity planning.

(Formerly known Corporation

as Rational Data

Features:

Architect)

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/studio/data-architect/features.html

DeZign for Databases is a database design tool for developers and database administrators that
allows you to model, create and maintain databases. Entity relationship diagrams are used to
graphically design databases and automatically generate the SQL for a variety of databases.
DeZign for
DeZign for

Databases V6

Databases

(free trial

Features:
Datanamic

version)

http://www.datanamic.com/dezign/compareversions.html
The latest version of DeZign supports many of the popular databases including:
Oracle, MS SQL Server, MS Access, MySQL, PostgreSQL, InterBase, FireBird, dBase, Paradox,
DBISAM, SQLite, Pervasive, IBM DB2, Sybase, Informix, FoxPro)

PowerDesigner is an enterprise modeling tool that is produced by Sybase. It runs on Microsoft

Windows as a native application and runs under Eclipse using a plugin.
PowerDesigner market share in the year 2002 was nearly 40%. PowerDesigner is priced from
$3,000 to $7,500 USD per developer seat. Originally PowerDesigner was the tool S-Designor
by SDP Technologies, a French company that started business in 1983. Powersoft purchased
SDP in 1995 and Sybase purchased Powersoft in 1994.
Features:
Business Process Modeling
Sybase
PowerDesigner

PowerDesigner

Sybase

Code Generation
Data Modeling
Data Warehouse Modeling
Eclipse plugin
Object Modeling (UML)
Reports
Repository
Requirements Analysis
XML Modeling
Visual Studio 2005 Addin
http://www.sybase.com/products/modelingdevelopment/powerdesigner

Silverrun Series
RDM for
relational
data
modeling

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BPM for

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BPM for
business

Grandite provides modeling, engineering and re-engineering tools for large scale enterprise

process

applications. Grandite provides a generic and stable architecture, supporting core database and

modeling

leading application code systems.

ERX for

RDM Features:

conceptual
Silverrun

data

Grandite

modeling

Flexible Modeling Environment

Data Modeling, Database Design and Generation
Enterprise Modeling

SAPHiR and
Silverrun

For a full list of Features:

For

http://www.silverrun.com/data_modeling_software_tool.html

modeling
enterprise
Applications
(ERP &
CRM)

DBDesigner4 is a visual database design system which integrates design and creation,
modeling, and maintenance in one environment. DBDesigner 4 is an Open Source Project and
you can download and use it for free. It is primarily designed for MySQL databases.
Features:
Linux and MS Windows
Industry Standard User Interface
Design and Query Modes
Reverse engineer MySQL, Oracle,MSSQL, and ODBC databases
User defined schema generation
Model-To-Datebase Synchronization
Indexes Supported
Version 4
DBDesigner

(free - Open

Automatic FK's
fabFORCE

Full Documentation
Model Printing including outut as Image

Source Software)

MySQL datatypes supported

User Defined Datatypes
Save model within database
Network/Multi-user access through database storage
Version Control
SQL Query Builder, Command History, Command Storage
Plug-in Interface
For a full list of Features and Plug-Ins:
http://www.fabforce.net/dbdesigner4/features.php

Toad Data Modeler provides you with a moderately priced modeling tool which is used to
developed entity relationship models (logical and physical), synchronize models, generate SQL
DDL scripts, create and modify these scripts, and reverse-engineer legacy databases.
Features:
Supports forward and reverse engineering
Toad Data
Modeler

Version 3.4.16

Quest
Software

Compare and Sync (model to model, model to database, database to model)

Supports multiple databases (Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, MySQL)
Intuitive interface
Easy to install and requires minimal disk space
For a full list of Features:
http://www.quest.com/toad-data-modeler/

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