Data Modeling with ERwin Data Modeler

If you are new to Data Modeling or are interested in getting started it can be hard to know where to start and what tools to learn and use. One of the best software tools you can get for Data Modeling is called ERwin Data Modeler. It it used all over the world and by both organizations large and small.

Here are some of the features it has:

Visualization of Complex Data Structures: ERwin provides a simple, graphic display to visual complex database structures in an easy-to-manage interface.

Design Layer Architecture: ERwin offers unique flexibility to create multiple model layers, from logical to physical, to even higher-level models. Users can create logical and physical models that are completely separate, or create logical and physical models that are linked, allowing you to choose the implementation style best suited to your needs.

Standards Definition: Reusable standards improve an organization’s ability to develop and manage their information assets in a cost and time effective manner. ERwin supports the definition and maintenance of standards through reusable model templates, the Domain Editor, the Naming Standards Editor and the Datatype Standards Editor.

Large Model Management: ERwin helps you manage large enterprise-level models through subject areas and diagrams. These graphical views and model visualizations facilitate information exchange and collaboration among the different stakeholders in an organization. In addition, advanced features such as autolayout, on-demand UI components, and “bird-eye” navigation allow you to easily visualize large models.

Complete Compare: This powerful feature automates complete bidirectional synchronization of models, scripts and databases, compares one item with the other, displays any differences and permits bidirectional selective update. If model changes are targeted for a database, ERwin can automatically generate a database ALTER script, as desired.

Database Design Generation: ERwin allows you to create database designs directly from visual models, increasing efficiency and reducing errors. Industry-leading database support includes optimized referential integrity trigger templates and a rich cross-database macro language, allowing modelers to customize triggers, scripts and stored procedures. Customizable templates facilitate the generation of a model’s complete physical design and definitions.

Data Warehouse and Data Mart Design: The performance, usability and value of a data warehouse are determined by its underlying design. ERwin supports data warehousing-specific modeling techniques (such as Star Schema and Snowflake dimensional modeling), thereby optimizing the data warehouse for your performance and analysis needs. It also captures and documents a rich set of information about the warehouse, including data sources, transformation logic and data management rules.

Reporting and Printing: Every copy of CA ERwin DM SE includes a copy of SAP Business Objects’ Crystal Reports. Customers can use out-of-the-box reports, or create their own. A generic ODBC interface is available for customers who use other reporting tools. Reports may be generated in a variety of formats, including HTML, PDF, RTF and TXT.

Integration & Metadata Exchange with Other Tools: It’s easy to integrate ERwin with other projects and tools with import or export from a wide variety of sources, including BI tools, MDM hubs, other data modeling tools, Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) tools and Unified Modeling Language (UML) tools.

I like the fact that I can use this to design databases as well as data warehouses and has complete integration with the other tools I use. You can get the trial here and see if you like it as well. Here is a simple video from their site on some of its features:

Stay tuned as I will post more on how to utilize ERwin Data Modeler and take advantage of all its features. Also remember ERwin is not the only software of its kind out there. Other products include: Embarcadero ER/Studio, ModelRight, DeZign for Databases, Oracle Designer, Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler, Sybase PowerDesigner and IBM Data Architect.