Microsoft Office Visio 2003 is an excellent software package. It is easy to use and a must-have for every type of business. Visio has a comprehensive tutorial included which provides good instruction on the most important features; hence supplying information to create tables and graphics that allow even the most clumsy engineer and business strategist to effectively illustrate the most technically confusing systems in an easy to understand visual aid. (Phew!)

As an Industrial Engineer student, I used MS Visio to create flow charts of parts and equipment across industrial facilities. Now that I’ve graduated, I use MS Visio to create quick illustrations of facilities to show my boss how we can make them more efficient. If you cannot afford a package like AutoCAD, I think MS Visio is your next best option. It allows you to quickly jot down walls in the dimensions you want, set furniture and/or machines where you think they will look best; and if they don’t, moving items around is just a click of the mouse way. Furthermore, you can add arrows and text explaining the why and how, whom and what, where, etc. Just remember your audience! Do they really need that much detail?

Some businesses will use MS Visio to illustrate how a new kitchen will look like, or a new bathroom, or home theater. Individuals can easily accomplish the same 2-dimensional drawing by purchasing a copy of this software, available at any computer store. The minimum requirements for your computer are minimal. Even a Pentium I PC will run this software, assuming the project is small. As you add more features, and extend the dimensions beyond the typical 8.5 x 11” paper (you have virtually unlimited room), you might consider adding more memory to your PC.

Additional literature is available on how to use the software (most MS software packages don’t include any paper manuals). I find the best way to learn how to use a package is by going in and pressing all the buttons. Just remember, Crtl+z (undo) is your friend, and you’ll be back to where you where before.

-: I welcome any comments and suggestions. :-


Recommended: Yes