How much do you really know about Visio?

Visio is an extremely powerful and versatile tool. So powerful in fact that the majority of Visio's users still does not realise its full potential. There is an infinite number of scenarios in which Visio can be used to help organizations visualize their data to achieve more. We are all familiar with the story by now: Computer, Internet, Laptop, Mobile, Cloud. It’s a new world out there, and the fact that we are so connected and surrounded by technology, means that we are now able to capture more data than ever before. Welcome to the era of Big Data! But, we are still just humans. And that means we need help making sense of all this data so we can really benefit from it. Visio is one of Microsoft's best tools to help you face this new paradigm!

 "Somehow similar to PowerPoint"

The simple fact that it allows users to "draw their diagrams" easily, by using a huge set of different Stencils and shapes that are conveniently aligned with their industry specific needs, methodologies and standards, sets Visio far apart from the keynote tool in the Office family.

 "The Office cousin that is closest to Visio is actually Excel"

They both enable users to work with large amounts of data. Both allow the user to structure that data and make complex calculations and links with it. Both tools enable the user to transform large volumes of data into meaningful information, and provide ways to visualize that data after its refinement process, providing valuable insights. But only Visio enables you to create automatically refreshable information graphics.

 "A diagramming tool powered by a strong calculation engine"

You can potentially have a large amount of data associated to each shape within a Visio diagram, and perform calculations, links and dependencies with that data. After, you can choose how you want to visualise that data from an extensive list of available data graphics.

Furthermore, you can also create your own Data-graphics because in Visio, besides having full control over the data that you link to your shapes, you also have control over all the variables that define those shapes (i.e. Size, visibility, behaviour,…).

 "Build business solutions with Visio in Office 365"

Visio can handle huge amounts of data and from many different data sources: Excel, SQL, SharePoint, Access, OLEDB, ODBC. The ability to connect Visio to all these sources, means that you can plug it into your Microsoft ecosystem, and gain enhanced visibility across your entire business, enabling true Operational Intelligence.

This all comes alive through Visio Services in Office 365. This small piece completes the puzzle, equipping the users with powerful business intelligence features that can be used to build visual dashboards with data from many sources. These can then be shared with others as Web Parts that can be placed in any SharePoint site.

 "The future looks even better!"

As if all this was not enough, Microsoft has just launched a new roadmap for Visio, that includes exciting functionalities, and increases even more the potential of this fantastic tool. New developments include among several others, an online version of Visio with editing capability and native apps for iPad and iPhone.

It is also clear that Microsoft is investing in making the full potential of Visio further available and easy to access by any user. Important details like a more natural user interface, intuitive mind mapping, and enhanced AutoCad support, add to several other recent innovations launched with Office 2016, such as new industry specific stencils, inspirational quick start drawings and enhancements in the ability to automatically link data to shapes.

So the next time you are building that monthly business report, or re-doing that Organizational chart for the hundredth time, remember this article and give Visio a try, or better yet, try it now!

+ Microsoft Event: Get more out of Visio in the workspace

Join us in Manchester for a session led by Visio experts that will show you how you can achieve more with Microsoft Visio.

Are you involved in managing your facilities, mapping your organization’s processes, or simply responsible for presenting information from your diagrams, then this seminar is for you!

Register: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032723927&Culture=en-GB&community=0