High-level architecture plans break down project silos

Károly Ubrankovics enterprise architect, Erste Bank Hungary

“With SAMU, we have been able to realize an architecture planning method that was naturally followed by colleagues and thus became a corporate standard. Planning solutions directly over diagrams while building a repository is fantastic and it allows us to share knowledge, cooperate and govern.”

Architecture control is embedded in the planning phase of the project. Solution architecture designs are created in SAMU by reusing components and creating new ones. ERSTE Bank, 2014.

The Challenge

ERSTE runs a number of projects each year that deliver new systems or modify existing ones. Previously, these worked in silos and information sharing was limited. In the absence of common project architecture views, governance had been a challenge. Increased knowledge sharing, reusing existing components and strengthening coordination among projects became a priority.

The Solution

A united SAMU repository has been put in action to collect everything anyone knows about the architecture in a structured manner. Solution architecture plans are created in the same tool, showing the systems, interfaces, functions and services affected. Project planning happens in the same structure which provides a framework for scoping, evaluation and governance. SAMU also provides a dashboard for the management showing project statuses through application development cycles.

Agile yet structured solution architecture planning

Source of truth

Every piece of information about the architecture is collected and made available in a unified repository in the same structure.

EA Governance

Structured project architecture planning happens in SAMU. Initiatives get orchestrated and their impact assessed by using the tool.

Project dashboard for management

Project statuses are displayed clearly to decision makers through application development cycles.

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Why us?

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We offer a Free SAMU Trial and/or a Free Proof of Concept (We set up the trial using customer data)

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SAMU is extremely flexible, the meta-model is fully flexible, custom reports can be created, sophisticated user permission rights

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Our Best Practice Model based on 20+ years of experience in delivering successful EA projects

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SAMU has been developed using a bottom-up approach. Product development is based on real-life customer needs.

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Customer satisfaction and our approach.  Each customer is unique.  We strive to bring real value and to have a successful EA practice.

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Powerful visualizations: Our visualizations are all data-driven generated from the live repository with multiple lifecycle views available.

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Integration capabilities: Sophisticated API to automate data upload and maintain quality in the repository.

What is an enterprise architecture tool and who is it for?

An enterprise architecture tool is a platform designed to help organizations gain a clear, structured view of their entire IT landscape, including applications, systems, and business processes. Instead of working with fragmented data across multiple tools, teams can centralize everything in one place and understand how technology supports business goals.

Solutions like SAMU are built specifically for enterprises, CIOs, and IT leaders who need to make strategic decisions about their IT environment. Whether it’s optimizing legacy systems, planning digital transformation, or improving collaboration between business and IT, an enterprise architecture tool provides the visibility and control needed to move forward with confidence.

How does an enterprise architecture platform improve IT strategy and decision-making?

An enterprise architecture platform connects high-level business objectives with the underlying IT systems that support them. This makes it possible to see how changes in technology impact the organization as a whole, rather than evaluating systems in isolation.

With a well-implemented enterprise architecture platform, IT leaders can identify redundancies, reduce complexity, and prioritize investments based on real data. It becomes much easier to align IT strategy with business goals, manage risks, and ensure that every decision contributes to long-term value instead of short-term fixes.

What problems does enterprise architecture software solve for enterprises?

Enterprise architecture software addresses some of the most common challenges large organizations face: lack of transparency, duplicated systems, increasing IT costs, and difficulty managing change. In many companies, information about systems and processes is scattered, outdated, or incomplete.

By introducing a centralized enterprise architecture software solution, organizations can create a single source of truth for their IT landscape. This improves visibility, supports better governance, and enables faster, more informed decisions. It also helps reduce unnecessary complexity and ensures that technology investments are aligned with business priorities.

How does SAMU support IT landscape management and application portfolio management (APM)?

SAMU provides a comprehensive view of the IT landscape, allowing organizations to map, analyze, and continuously optimize their systems. Through advanced IT landscape management capabilities, users can understand how applications are connected, where dependencies exist, and which areas require attention.

In addition, SAMU supports application portfolio management (APM) by helping organizations evaluate the performance, cost, and business value of each application. This makes it easier to identify redundant or outdated systems, prioritize modernization efforts, and build a more efficient, future-ready IT environment.

Is SAMU suitable for large enterprises and CIO-level decision making?

Yes, SAMU is designed with enterprise-scale complexity in mind. It supports organizations that operate with large, distributed IT environments and need a reliable foundation for strategic decision-making at the highest level.

For CIOs and senior IT leaders, SAMU provides the insights required to balance innovation with stability. It enables better planning, clearer communication with stakeholders, and more effective governance across the entire IT landscape. This makes it a valuable tool not only for managing current systems, but also for guiding long-term digital transformation initiatives.

How is SAMU different from other enterprise architecture tools?

While many enterprise architecture tools focus primarily on documentation, SAMU is designed to actively support decision-making and continuous improvement. It goes beyond static diagrams and provides actionable insights that help organizations optimize their IT landscape in real time.

SAMU combines enterprise architecture, IT strategy, and application portfolio management into a single platform. This integrated approach reduces the need for multiple tools and ensures that all stakeholders work with consistent, up-to-date information. As a result, organizations can move faster, reduce complexity, and make more confident strategic decisions.

How long does it take to implement application portfolio management?

Implementation timelines depend on the size and complexity of the organization, as well as the availability of reliable application data. In most enterprises, the initial setup of application portfolio management can take between a few weeks and a few months.

The first phase typically focuses on creating an accurate application inventory and defining governance processes. Once this foundation is in place, organizations can gradually expand the scope to include lifecycle tracking, cost analysis, and modernization planning.

Many organizations start with a pilot initiative before scaling application portfolio management across the entire enterprise.

What is the difference between application portfolio management and application rationalization?

Application portfolio management is a continuous management discipline, while application rationalization is a specific activity within that discipline.

Application portfolio management focuses on maintaining visibility into applications, monitoring lifecycle status, and supporting long-term decision-making. Application rationalization, on the other hand, is the process of evaluating applications to determine whether they should be retained, replaced, consolidated, or retired.

Organizations typically perform application rationalization periodically as part of an ongoing application portfolio management strategy.

How often should an application portfolio be reviewed?

Most organizations review their application portfolio on a regular basis, typically quarterly or semi-annually. However, high-risk or business-critical applications may require more frequent monitoring.

Regular reviews help organizations identify outdated technologies, track licensing costs, and detect redundant systems before they create operational or security risks. Continuous monitoring is especially important in environments undergoing digital transformation or cloud migration.

Establishing a predictable review cycle is a key element of effective application portfolio governance.

What are the biggest challenges in application portfolio management?

One of the most common challenges is maintaining accurate and consistent application data across the organization. Many enterprises struggle with incomplete inventories, unclear ownership, and fragmented documentation.

Another challenge is aligning technical decisions with business priorities. Without strong governance processes, application portfolios can grow rapidly and become difficult to manage.

Successful application portfolio management requires not only technology, but also clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making frameworks.

Can application portfolio management support cloud migration planning?

Yes, application portfolio management plays a critical role in planning and executing cloud migration initiatives. Before moving applications to the cloud, organizations must understand dependencies, technical requirements, and business value.

Application portfolio management provides visibility into application architecture, lifecycle status, and integration points. This information helps organizations identify which applications are suitable for migration, which require modernization, and which should be retired.

Without this visibility, cloud migration projects often become more complex, expensive, and risky than expected.

What metrics should be tracked in application portfolio management?

Effective application portfolio management relies on consistent and measurable indicators that reflect both business value and technical risk.

Common metrics include application cost, business criticality, lifecycle status, user adoption, and technical complexity. Organizations may also track security risk, vendor support status, and integration dependencies.

Tracking these metrics enables data-driven decision-making and helps IT leaders prioritize modernization and investment initiatives.

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Don't take our word for it!

Atoll Technologies Ltd. EA tool SAMU is a leader in Info-Tech Research Group /SoftwareReview 2024 Enterprise Architecture Data Quadrant Report.

„Atoll Technologies Ltd.is the dominant vendor for EA tools in the Middle East. It also has regional strength in Central and Eastern Europe, and can provide strong support to these otherwise underserved markets."

Atoll Technologies Ltd. EA tool SAMU is included in the Forrester Now Tech: Enterprise Architecture Management Suites, Q2 2022.

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