Introduction

Archi is a free, open source, cross-platform tool to create ArchiMate models.

ArchiMate1 is an open and independent Enterprise Architecture modelling language that supports the description, analysis and visualization of architecture within and across business domains. ArchiMate is one of the open standards hosted by The Open Group1 and is fully aligned with TOGAF1.

Archi is targeted toward all levels of Enterprise Architects and Enterprise Modellers. It is intended to provide a low cost to entry (i.e. free) solution to users who may be making their first steps in the ArchiMate language or who are looking for a cross-platform ArchiMate modelling tool for their company or institution. Archi fulfils the needs of most Enterprise Architects and associated stakeholders, but it can also be regarded as an introductory ArchiMate tool for those wishing to engage with the language before committing to a commercial solution.

Since its introduction, Archi has been widely adopted for real-world use in the commercial and educational sectors and is used in-house by major global companies and consultants. It is rapidly becoming the de facto open source ArchiMate modelling tool.

The development of Archi has been funded by JISC and has been developed by Phillip Beauvoir for JISC CETIS at the University of Bolton.