Review: Visio 2010 Illustrates The Point

In a world where free, downloadable or online applications -- like FreeMind mind-mapping software - can come through in a pinch, what's the incentive for anyone to spend hundreds of dollars per seat for an application that does much the same thing?

The answer, when it comes to Visio 2010, is this: Microsoft has delivered a software application that takes presentations, organization and project and mind mapping to the next level, raising the bar providing an opportunity to create illustrations that cut through so much data and noise. Launched earlier this year along with Office 2010, Visio 2010 is designed to be simpler to use than previous versions of the application, and provide richer visualization tools for everything from network architecture to organizational charts.

With fewer than a half-dozen clicks, we found it possible to import an Excel workbook into Visio 2010 -- in our case, a list of assignments and due dates -- and create a simple calendar illustrating upcoming deadlines. We exported a list of devices on our network into Excel from a network management application, and then imported that list into Visio 2010 to create a network diagram. What's more, Microsoft has enabled a function that will continue to update charts in real time based on changes to a workbook.

Compared to previous versions of Visio, the 2010 version just makes it easier to lay out a diagram with simpler drag and drop, automatic alignment and spacing, containers and a more powerful "preview" feature. The simple fact of Visio 2010 is that it works as seamlessly as ever with Office, and more easily integrates with an enterprise's data, information and tools than ever before. And that's good, because there's more enterprise data and information than ever before -- and visualizing it all can be a key role in the decision-making process.

Microsoft, as it often does for its apps, low-balls the system requirements for Visio 2010. Officially, all that's needed is 1.5 GB of disk space (that's true), 256 MB of RAM, Windows XP SP3 or up (including Windows Server 2003 R2 with MSXML 6.0), Internet Explorer 7 or later. The application can integrate with SharePoint Services, but it requires connection to SharePoint Server 2010 for that, and DirectX 9.0 for graphics hardware acceleration.

The CRN Test Center recommends at least 2 GB of RAM and Windows 7 to get the most out of Visio 2010.

Data visualization will become more and more critical for enterprises and workgroups as each grapples with data and information overload, and the need to make better, more competitive decisions. Visio 2010 is great for mainstream use inside an enterprise and in its ability to adapt to a lot of different information sets. Its integration with Office 2010 and Excel - right down to the ribbon and the look and feel - is outstanding.

Better decision-making is all about better business, and even though the list price on Visio 2010 is more than your typical productivity application, and certainly more than free alternatives, we think it makes a strong case that it can help translate data into more tangible information. That leads to better decision making, and that leads us to recommend Vision 2010 as a strong application for enterprises and business.