Elementar Process properties

A new, completely redesigned dialog for editing properties of an elementary process was introduced. With this dialog it is now possible, to select the complexity of an elementary process either with the help of three different ways.

• Assessment - The complexity is explicitly selected
• Range - The complexity is determined by selecting an area
• Value - The complexity is determined by specifying a precise value

Logical File properties

A new, completely redesigned dialog for editing properties of a logical file was introduced. With this dialog it is now possible, to select the complexity of a logical file either with the help of three different ways.

• Assessment - The complexity is explicitly selected
• Range - The complexity is determined by selecting an area
• Value - The complexity is determined by specifying a precise value

Create and/or Customize the Cost, Scala, Factors, Language, Platform, etc.

It is now possible to create or customize your own Scala Factors, Cost Factors, Architecture Types, Platform Types etc. Simply create a new element of your own, change the settings and use it in your measurements and estimations.

Redesign of Cost/Scala Factors visualization

The visualization of Cost Factors and Scala Factors in the Cocomo editor has been redesigned and unified.

New color schema introduced

A new color scheme was introduced. All plots within the application are now in a uniform blue color schema shown.

VAF in Count Overview

The VAF was added to the report Count Overview.

New Count Structure Report

A new report showing the structure of a measurement was integrated. To call the report just use the menu Create reports > Count structure.

The report represents the structure of a measurement in a simple tree structure, and gives a quick overview of the state the measurement.

New Release VAF Report

A new report showing the release VAF of a measurement was integrated. To call the report just use the menu Create reports > Release Value Adjustment Factor.

The report represents the current state of the Value Adjustment Factors of a measurement.

Based on Eclipse 3.7.1

Function Point Modeler 5.0 is now based on Eclipse 3.7.1. (Indigo)

Simplified SLED Model

The SLED database model has been completely revised and simplified. Now you can find all needed information for evaluation purposes and statistics in a compact and clear presentation.

Team integration

With version 5.0, the team integration has completely changed. In earlier versions of Function Point Modeler cross-team sharing of measurements was performed using the SLED database. This process brought some disadvantages. For this reason, the methodology for the exchange of measurements has completely revised. It is now possible with the help of popular source management systems, to share and synchronize the work between different teams. Function Point Modeler already provides two possible team provider for this purpose. Out of the box CVS and Subversion are supported. Due to the plugin technology Function Point Modeler however is able to integrate the source control system of your choice. Prerequisite for this is that your Source Management System delivers a common connection to Eclipse in form of a plug-in.

Create and manage connections

Database connections are now created and managed centrally in one postion. Function Point Modeler provides a new view for this. To open this view, select in the menu bar Window > Show View > Other > Function Point Modeler > Connections. This view offers a variety of possibilities, to create new connection profiles, modify, or delete them. With one mouse click, it is now possible to establish a connection or to disconnect. At any point within the application where a database connection is required (e.g. Export SLED) you can now simply select an already created connection profile which is already connected to the underlying database.

New Splash Screen

Function Point Modeler 5.0 has a completely redesigned Splash Screen.

ISBSG Import Interface

Function Point Modeler 4.4 Enterprise Edition now offers you the opportunity to import International Software Benchmarking Standard Group ISBSG data into the Function Point Modeler in order to calibrate COCOMO based on the ISBSG data.

This allows you to select from the ISBSG database, projects that are similar to the project that you wish to estimate. You can then import these projects into the SLED and use them to calibrate the cost factors in COCOMO to provide you with a reliable estimate.

Read more: http://www.functionpointmodeler.com/fpm_isbsg_import_interface.pdf

Function Point Modeler 4.4 Enterprise includes a new detail editor for project actual data. It enables you to gather more detail project actual data based on activities for each phase and defects.

The new properties editor is included in the Function Point Modeler 4.4 . All properties of the selected items are also managed in this new editor.

Based on Eclipse 3.6.2

Function Point Modeler 4.4 is now based on Eclipse 3.6.2. (Helios)

Project Navigator

Function Point Modeler 4.4 now offers you a brand new project navigator. Projects are now arranged and categorized. It is now much easier for users to get an overview of the actual content of his workspace.

Name suggestion

Function Point Modeler 4.4 now offers you a simple name suggestion. When you add a new element to your diagramm, the workbench suggests a element name based on the element type.

Web Browser Integration

Function Point Modeler 4.4 Enterprise Edition now offers you a integrated web browser. Surf the internet and visit your favorite sites without having to leave the familiar Function Point Modeler workbench.

Reduction to two Editions

Function Point Modeler 4.3 is now available in two editions. First of all the Standard Edition which is totally free for personal, educational or commercial use. Sencond, the Enterprise Edition the only product on the market today that not only sizes software with Function Point Analysis or estimates software with COCOMO, but also manages all of the IT-Metrics (Project, Product and Process Metrics) of your company in a Software Life Cycle Experience Database (SLED). It is the best Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tool based on Function Point Analysis

New Splash Screen

Function Point Modeler 4.3 has a completely redesigned Splash Screen.

Product version in title bar

Function Point Modeler 4.3 now shows the current product version in it's title bar.

Calibrate COCOMO constants

Function Point Modeler 4.3 now offers the possibility to calibrate COCOMO constants on the basis of projects in the SLED database. You are now able to calibrate your constants on the basis of empirical informations.

Seal count

It is now possible to seal a count. Sealed counts can no longer be edited by the user. Of course you can unseal a count whenever you want.

New Shortcut for project editor

To view or edit the project editor you are able now to use an even faster shortcut. Just select a development or enhancement project and press the key combination ALT + P.

New diagram layout

You can now select between the well known free-form layout or a new grid layout to display your diagrams. With the free-form layout your diagram elements will be positioned by yourself. With the new grid layout all diagram elements are arranged automatically by a predefined grid.

Import/Export development processes

You are now able to import/export development processes optional to a XML file or to your SLED database. With the help of the SLED database, it is easier than ever, to exchange development processes with your colleagues or associates.

Import/Export COCOMO masterdata

You are now able to import/export COCOMO masterdata optional to a XML file or to your SLED database. With the help of the SLED database, it is easier than ever, to exchange COCOMO masterdata with your colleagues or associates.

Revision of license information

In the Edition Edition the dialog to display license advice has been revised. The required serial number to unlock the Enterprise Edition can now be entered directly in this dialog.

Example projects enhanced

The sample projects of Function Point Modeler has been enhanced by examples of document fragments. A new example to demonstrate the versatility of the tool was added. This example is the implementation of the Help chapter Function Point Analysis.

New operating system support

Function Point Modeler 4.2 now runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Linux GTK (32- or 64-bit)..

Run in system tray

Function Point Modeler 4.2 now provides the possibility to minimize the application to the system tray on program exit.

Export estimation to spreadsheet

With Function Point Modeler 4.2 you now can export your project estimation to MS Excel or Open Office Calc as a work breakdown structure.

New estimation printing option

Function Point Modeler 4.2 provides extended printing capability for estimations. The new cooperate design for estimations is now also part of the count printing option.

Legal info

Function Point Modeler 4.2 now shows legal informations in the about dialog for all referenced plugins.

New date chooser widget

Function Point Modeler 4.2 comes with a new date chooser widget to provide comfortable date selection to the user.

New intro theme

By default Function Point Modeler 4.2 comes with a new intro theme called Slate.

Complete Wiki feature

Function Point Modeler 4.2 includes a complete set of Wiki feature with editors and wizards to create your own wiki with MediaWiki, Textile, Confluence, TracWiki and TWiki markup.

Extended installation information

Function Point Modeler 4.2 provides an extended installation information in the about dialog..

Simple but powerful calculator

Function Point Modeler 4.1 includes a simple but powerful calculator who works in HEX, DEC or BIN modus.

Based on Eclipse 3.5.2

Function Point Modeler 4.1 is now based on Eclipse 3.5.2.

Manage your software development process

Function Point Modeler 4.0 allows you to manage the software development process in your company.

You can add, remove and change the software development process phase and activities as they are defined in your company.

You can also change the estimation distribution for each phase or activity.

You can use now the new defined software development process for your estimations. It appears in development process ComboBox .

Your estimation is now distributed based on the new defined software development process.

New editors for Counts, Application Systems and Sub Systems

Function Point Modeler 4.0 includes now 3 diagram editors. The new diagram editors allow you to edit each item (count, application system und sub system ) separately. In the count diagram editor, double click the application system to edit the selected application separately.

The editors allow you to edit only the selected part of a complex count.

New Exports

Function Point Modeler 4.0 includes two export functions.

You can export counts as excel sheet.

You can also export estimations to any project managment tool e.g. MS project as project plan

Additional Views

Function Point Modeler 4.0 includes now more than 30 views.

New Logging Message View

The new customizable logging message view allows you to take look at the inside of Function Point Modeler.

Notes Editor

You can take take notes in your count or projects

More Prefernces

Function Point Modeler 4.0 includes much more preference setting to customize your Function Point Modeler

Life Cycle Perspective

You can now view the life cycle of application systems in your company. The Life Cycle Perspective shows you each function point analysis detail from the first development of the application system  till current application system count .
The Life Cycle Perspective includes a lot of views for the counts and sub system of an application system.

Quick Life Cycle

The Quick Life Cycle give you historical overview of the selected count (development project count > application count > enhancement project, etc.). You can start the Quick Life Cycle  Ctrl+L. You can start Quick Life Cycle from the context menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+L.

You can also select a count from Quick Life Cycle View to open it in diagram editor.

Transactional Function and Data Function Filter

The transactional functions of a count are hided in the following screen shot.

Defining your favorite Line Color and Fill Color in the Editor

The Window > Preference > Connections > Function Point Modeler > Diagram >Appearance page allows you to specify the line colour of each item separately.

Defining your setting

The Window > Preference > Connections > Function Point Modeler > Diagram > Printing page allows you to specify you print setting.

Print your Function Point Modeler diagram

You can also specify which diagrams you want to print and how to scale them to fit on the paper.

Linking the Navigator view to the active editor

When you have multiple files open for editing, you can configure one of the navigation views to automatically bring an open file to the foreground (make its editor session the active editor) every time you select that open file in one of the navigation views.

Collapsing compartments

You can collapse a compartment in a data diagram to a minimal size to allow more space for the other compartments in a shape.

After the Transactional Functions compartment is collapsed.

Calibrate or set new vale of COCOMO constants .

Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise 3.1 Cocomo II tool now allows you to calibrate or set the new value of COCOMO constants.

You can use the for your company calibrated constants in your estimation.

Project estimation calculated based on the RUP

Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise 3.1Cocomo II tool supports Rational Unified Software Development Process.

Database support extended

Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise 3.1 now supports all well-known database vendors for your SLED.

XMI 2.1 for UML 2.1.1 for example IBM RSA

Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise 3.1 now supports XMI 2.1 and UML 2.1.1 export/import.

You can also export your Function Point Model as Business Object Model to any UML tool.

Project Interchange to export & import projects

Sharing projects using Project Interchange. If you are not using SLED database you can use the Project Interchange feature to share your project in the Function point Modeler

You export projects into ZIP files, which can be imported.

Cheat Sheets

Function Point Modeler 3.1 provides cheat sheets to guide you through some of its function point counting and report designer processes. Each cheat sheet is designed to help you complete some task, and it lists the sequence of steps required to help you achieve that goal.

As you progress from one step to the next, the cheat sheet will automatically launch the required tools for you. If there is a manual step in the process, the step will tell you to perform the task and click a button in the cheat sheet to move on to the next step.

More Views

Function Point Modeler 3.1 includes a lot of useful views

Key Assist

This command will display a list of key bindings

FPM Report Designer and mor useful features

Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise 3.1 Report Designer is now more powerful than ever.

You can now create more complex reports using the FPM Report Designer Chart Wizard.