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Visio
What Is Visio?
Microsoft Visio is a diagramming solution with a robust library of templates and shapes, data connectivity capabilities, and integrated collaboration tools to empower remote workers and teams anywhere. Create impactful visualizations using provided shapes and starter files. Edit diagrams stored online simultaneously with colleagues through a web browser to work with others anywhere securely and effortlessly. Even connect diagrams to real-time data to make decisions quickly.
Who Uses Visio?
Microsoft Visio is a diagramming solution with a robust library of templates and shapes, data connectivity capabilities, and integrated collaboration tools to empower remote workers and teams anywhere
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Visio
Reviews of Visio
Alternatives Considered:
The tool for visual mathematicians
Comments: I love it for the purpose it was intended for. I don't think I could find anything better. Most of the time I have nothing but good things to say about this product. Just don't let yourself get in a spot where you need to write your own code to generate your charts automatically because the API and help for it would require another degree just for this product.
Pros:
It can connect to a wide range of data sources to present data in your charts. It has a wide range of abilities through the various add-ons and tools. The range of standard drawing objects is huge and you can create your own if you know what you are doing.
Cons:
It sucks for trying to program against it. Every drawing object has its own properties, methods and behaviors. It is a real nightmare if you need to integrate it into an automation system. The only one I have found that might be worse is Outlook and that would depend on what you were doing.
Alternatives Considered:
Process Development Tool with layers
Comments: Visio has helped me take conversations and brainstorming sessions and demonstrate how they would actually work. So often there is a good intention on trying something new, but it is important to get everyone on the same page. This tool has helped do that. I have also extensively used Visio as a training tool. I will link the diagrams to other portals and tools that we use, so that the workflow document is something of a link aggregator for all the steps involved. This has made the hand-off from training to implementation much easier.
Pros:
I like that I can use Visio to easily demonstrate workflows and process improvement ideas. There is a range of understanding for software like Visio. I do not use it to automate at my place of work, but I use it extensively for visual learners when implementing or discussing new processes, procedures, and ideas. Often I have co-workers take these designs and display them for their team as a physical reminder, others are more intuitive and I work with them to develop interactive workflows (with links, actions, etc.)
Cons:
There are some elements to how you design that are not intuitive. I usually spend about 15 minutes with users who download the software to demonstrate how they can make their flows and diagrams. The organization chart is particularly more cumbersome than advertised, but even so, I have users who use it for this purpose. Online resources are sparse as well, and I often am troubleshooting when trying new methods.
Visio powerful tool
Comments: Visio is an excellent tool for creating detailed and professional diagrams, especially for technical users and teams who need precision and a variety of templates. However, it’s not always the most user-friendly software, and its cost might be prohibitive for occasional users or small teams.
Pros:
I've been using Microsoft Visio for several years to create flowcharts, organizational charts, and technical diagrams, and overall, it's an essential tool for visualizing complex information.
Cons:
While it's a powerful tool, Visio can feel overwhelming for new users. The user interface isn’t always intuitive.
Basic Visio
Comments: Basic. I use it to only draw flow charts.
Pros:
Its advanced than working on PPT smart art.
Cons:
Is not user friendly. Should have more options. Post creation the end product looks pretty basic. Doesnt look elegant. Should be made more advanced to be used other than just flow chart. Does teach you or prompt you to make it better.
Alternatives Considered:
I Use it to create network diagrams, great tool to analyze
Comments: I like to use it when i need to analyze the network diagram when I have to make changes or add something else.
Pros:
can manage the stencils, connections and other data to have documented for audits or future information
Cons:
some brands doesn't have their own stencils to download, so i have to create them.