IDIOM Overview - Features
Models of decision making behavior are the most important knowledge that your business has about itself
Tool assisted decision definition
- All actions are point and click; so no syntax to learn.
- User only types in the names of things; no other keying is necessary.
- Naming is the users own, so a private vocabulary (an "idiom") is created.
- Logic blocks are predefined, and can only be assembled in a logical manner using a graphical Formula palette.
- Graphical 'mind mapping' style technology is used to create decision trees
Tool assisted testing
- An interface is provided as a testing template for the user to verify that the answers generated by their own logic are as expected.
- Step by step logic presentation can be used for finding errors in logic.
- All correct tests can be recorded and may be used for subsequent regression testing.
- New decisions can use tests created for existing decisions.
Management and documentation
- The decision formulas can be generated in a logical English form to be used as human friendly documents and descriptions, replacing completely external documentation.
- When a decision formula is released, the formula is protected from further changes. All versions of a formula are permanently retained.
- Formulas and internal tables are each able to be effective dated, with effective dating managed by the tool.
- Extensive 'where used' capabilities assist impact analysis and rule maintenance.
Technical capabilities
- The logic capabilities are extensive; if the logic can exist within the scope of the decision, then it can be defined.
- Internal look-up tables are supported, and can be created and supplied externally, or defined within the tool.
- The runtime performance is fast; decisions are deployed as compiled components for the Java and/or .Net environments.
- Decisions from different experts can be aggregated into a single application, allowing delegation of decision processes throughout the organization; and also to channel partners and suppliers.
- Formulas can be managed by exception - hierarchies of formulas to match product
For more information, see the IDIOM Evaluation Criteria PDF.