QSEE at CEMS

Introduction

This diagramming and CASE tool is being developed by Dr Mark Dixon and a spin-off company at Leeds Metropolitan University. CEMS, courtesy of the Information Systems School, has a site license and it is installed in all the PC labs. Students and staff can download their own copy free of charge from:

QSEE Technologies

Advantages

Some of the advantages of QSEE include:

• A wide range of 18 diagram types can be constructed, ranging from rich pictures, data flow, entity relationship models, state transition diagrams, the range of UML diagrams, XML Schemas and lots more.
• Full version free for individual download
• Developed for teaching use
• Easy to use by comparision with commerical packages
• Enchanced functionality. For example, the ER tool can generate an SQL DDL schema, with foreign key migration and many-many resolution, and reverse engineering from an existing database, capabilities found only in expensive packages such as ERWIN which cost thousands.
• Help provided on the use of each notation
• Diagrams can be exported for inclusion in reports
• QSEE has been responsive to my requests for improvements and is keen to involve the user community in its development, including the addition of new diagram types.

QSEE in CEMS

I shall be using the tool on Information Systems Development 3 this year, and will recommend it for use on Information Systems Practice 3 and perhaps on relevant Coputing projects. I will report here on our experience of use and any hints which may help.

Please contact me if you need further assistance.

Diagram types

Full range of diagram types:

• Conceptual Model - like a SSM activity model I think
• Dataflow Diagram (SSADM style)
• Dataflow Diagram (RT-Yourdon style)
• Entity Relationship Diagram
  • Each entity can also have an entity life history diagram
  • Output as SQL DDL or XML Schema (for hierarchical structures)
• Flow Chart
• Hierarchy Chart
• Network Chart
• Structure Chart
• State Transition Diagram
• Brain Storming Model
• Rich Picture
• Team Management Diagram
• Decision Tree
• Storyboard Model
• UML Model
  • Use Case Model
  • Class Model
  • Collaboration Model
  • Sequence Model
  • Statechart Model
  • Activity Model
  • Deployment Model
  • Component Model
• XML Model
• Logic Diagram
• Citation Graph