Excel Software announced MacA&D 4.0 for requirements management, system and software design, code generation and flexible report generation. The new software adds flowcharts, general enhancements to all diagram types and scriptable reports, advanced data flow diagram features and the ability for large projects to use multiple data dictionaries. Any diagram object within any diagram type can be linked to any foreign document for easy navigation.
A flowchart is a diagram with nodes and lines that shows how an algorithm or process works. MacA&D supports popular flowchart notation plus the ability to integrate the diagrams with a data dictionary, requirements traceability, report generation, diagram import/export features and navigational links between other diagram types. It adds flowcharts to a wide range of supported design diagrams including system models, task diagrams, process models, data models, class models, state diagrams and tables, object models, structure models, timing diagrams and the full 14-diagram UML notation.
Multiple data dictionary documents in a design project enable large or geographically dispersed development teams to work independently within an integrated project. Developers can work with separate dictionary documents or open multiple dictionary documents at once to generate project wide custom reports.
Advanced features have been added to process models like the display of formatted dictionary data on diagrams. Dictionary editing changes are instantly reflected across diagrams. A DFD process can link to a child diagram within the same document or in a different DFD document. A project may use multiple diagram or dictionaries documents with verification and balancing commands working across documents.
MacA&D 4 has an enhanced library of icons that can be used by all diagram types, a new 4-book set of PDF and printed manuals plus an updated integrated help system. MacA&D comes with six new 15-minute training videos that cover data flow diagrams, class models, data models, flowcharts, system models with simulation and requirements management.
MacA&D 4 runs on all Mac OS X computers with an Intel processor. The Standard edition is $495, Desktop edition $1195 and Developer edition $1995 with Site Licenses available. Diagram, dictionary and requirement documents can be shared with WinA&D 7 running on an XP, Vista or Windows 7 computer.