SMARTDRAW IN NETWORK DESIGN:

Getting the Picture with Easy Network Diagrams

A Network Collision
Darren Tidwell, a network administrator for a major computing company, had hit a wall. He was looking for an easy way to create network topology maps and server room layouts, but he just couldn't find the right drawing software.

"In my job, being able to convey ideas visually is very important," said Tidwell.

Tidwell had been using Microsoft Visio^® for several years, and had experimented with other CAD and technical drawing programs, but he remained unsatisfied.

"Given the time and support constraints on my team, it was essential to find software that was easier to use," said Tidwell. "Visio^® was just too complicated to pick up quickly."

Tidwell wanted a product that would deliver professional results without straining his resources.

"Value is what matters to me," said Tidwell. "I'm not interested in tools that have every feature known to man. I want a tool that will help me solve problems without wasting my time or money."

Enter SmartDraw.

Keeping it Simple
Tidwell was immediately impressed with SmartDraw's ease-of-use. "I could tell right away that SmartDraw was faster and easier to use than Visio^®."

Tidwell was especially pleased with SmartDraw's built-in libraries of network component shapes, including thousands of detailed images of manufacturer-specific devices.

"SmartDraw offers a huge quantity of shapes, and I like the ability to selectively install new shapes to the SmartDraw Explorer," he said.

"I also like how easy it is to add and remove anchor points in existing shapes."

Tidwell was also impressed with SmartDraw's ruler-and-grid system and its connector-routing features.

"SmartDraw is straightforward and unambiguous," said Tidwell. "It does exactly what it's told!"

A Better Value
Tidwell is now an avid SmartDraw user. In his opinion, SmartDraw is better suited to the needs of the average business user than Visio^®.

"Simplicity is where SmartDraw really shines," he said. "SmartDraw does a much better job than Visio^® at simply letting me get the picture on paper, so I can get my job done quickly."

He also believes that SmartDraw is a better value.

"SmartDraw is more affordable and easier to learn than Visio^®-especially considering the Visio^® price increases over the last few years," he said.

In short, SmartDraw gets the job done faster, easier, and more economically.

"Finally I have a drawing program so easy to use that I can focus on my work, instead of learning how to use it!" said Tidwell.