Microsoft Visio

 MICROSOFT VISIO 

What is Visio?

Microsoft Visio is software for drawing various diagrams. This includes flowcharts, organizational charts, building plans, floor plans, data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, business process modeling, swimlane diagrams, 3D maps, and  more. This is a Microsoft product sold as a complement to MS Office. The latest version of Visio 2016 comes in three editions: Visio Standard, Visio Professional, and Visio Pro for Office 365. Visio 2016  is priced at $ 299.99 for Standard, $ 589.99 for Professional, and $ 13 per month for Pro for Office 365 (annual commitment) or $ 15.50 per month (monthly).

How Visio Started !

Visio was first released as a product of Shapeware Corp. in the 1990s as a  pre-release  .92 and then as version 1.0  in 1992. This product was quickly recognized and  renamed Visio Corp in 1995. In 2000, 

Microsoft purchased Visio and renamed it to the MS Office family. However, 

 Visio was always managed as a standalone purchase with MS Project, apart from the MS Office suite package.

Visio versions throughout the years.

The first Visio versions were labeled v 1.0 through 5.0 and came in up to three editions each.

With Microsoft’s acquisition of Visio in 2000, the versions and editions shaped up like this:

Visio 2000 (v 6.0; Standard, Professional, Technical, Enterprise)

Visio 2002 (v 10.0; Standard, Professional) -- versions 7.0 through 9.0 were skipped to align with Office release numbers

Visio for Enterprise Architects 2003 (VEA 2003)

Office Visio 2003 (v 11.0; Standard, Professional)

Office Visio for Enterprise Architects 2005 (VEA 2005)

Office Visio 2007 (v 12.0; Standard, Professional)

Visio 2010 (v 14.0; Standard, Professional, Premium) – v 13.0 was skipped

Visio 2013 (v 15.0; Standard, Professional)

Visio 2016 (v 16.0; Standard, Professional, Office 365)

Visio does not have a Mac version.

How Visio is used.

You can use Visio  in a variety of settings to create professional-looking diagrams. Given the cost of Visio, hand-drawn diagrams can be useful, or you can look at basic  MS Word diagrams. Alternatively, you can use  free or cheap and powerful software like lucidchart.com that also works on Mac.

In fact, Visio can create all sorts of elegant and useful diagrams if it suits your needs. These diagrams provide the professional look you need for good practices in presentations, reports, audits, architectural plans, floor plans, documents, and modeling. Visio contains a large library of shapes / symbols used in dozens of diagrams. These symbols represent special parts of the figure. B. Process flow diagrams, business process modeling, data flow diagrams, etc. They are widely used  in different fields for different purposes. Here are some examples:

• In any Field: You can  document and analyze your process with flowcharts that can take many forms. Standardize the process for efficiency and quality. Communicate the process for training or understanding by other parts of the organization. Identify and improve process bottlenecks, redundancy, and unnecessary steps.

• In software engeneering and business analysis: Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) can provide a focused approach to technology development that is further investigated in advance to reach coding. Business analysts use DFDs to analyze existing systems and determine efficiency. By presenting the process graphically, you can reveal steps that may otherwise be overlooked or not fully understood.

• In business: Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN) is aimed at business process participants and other stakeholders, and can be better understood by visually stating the steps. At a more complex level, it targets people who  implement the process and provides enough detail to enable accurate implementation.

• In Chemical Engeneering or process engeneering: A process flow diagram (PFD) is a type of flow chart that shows the relationships between the key components of an industrial plant. You can use diagrams to improve documentation, analysis, testing, or modeling.

Visio has an immense impact on business analysis industry as it helps creating the processes to form a business model. The features and dynamic characteristics of usuage of visio diagram has made it so popular and potential for business analysts. Along with other visual softwares Visio has come a long way to contribute potential idea generations in businesses.