{"id":238,"date":"2009-12-23T14:16:53","date_gmt":"2009-12-23T21:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.visiozone.com\/?p=238"},"modified":"2010-12-22T19:33:49","modified_gmt":"2010-12-23T02:33:49","slug":"is-visio-a-sensible-alternative-to-cad-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visiozone.com\/?p=238","title":{"rendered":"Is Visio a sensible alternative to CAD systems?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Post<\/a><\/p><\/div>

Many of the companies we work with at Visimation use Visio as a low cost and more sensible alternative to CAD systems like AutoCAD, MicroStation, ProE, and more.\u00a0 While CAD has its strengths, we find that as many as 80% of CAD users can perform their work more efficiently and at lower cost if they were to use Visio.\u00a0 Of course it all depends on what you need to do with a graphics system.\u00a0 In this article I\u2019ll share our experience regarding why companies choose to use Visio in lieu of CAD.\u00a0 For specific examples of companies that are doing this today, we have a series of case studies<\/a> on our web site.<\/p>\n

\"Visio<\/a>

Visio schematic of HVAC air handling unit from Carrier Corporation<\/p><\/div>\n

Visimation builds visual solutions to real world technical and business problems.\u00a0 Our staff is comprised of professionals with considerable experience using and implementing various CAD and graphics systems over the past 20 years.\u00a0 The work we perform often deals with existing CAD installations, either to supplement or replace them with a Visio solution.\u00a0 We are quite familiar with the business issues that drive our clients\u2019 decisions to select Visio, and we are often asked to discuss the economic benefits of Visio with respect to AutoCAD.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the great majority of the users we encounter, Visio provides the most economical environment to create, maintain, and deploy diagrams and drawings. A small percentage of potential users have highly technical needs for which CAD systems are better suited.\u00a0 In cases where direct and complete file compatibility is critical, CAD may also be a better choice.\u00a0 For everyone else, Visio has more than enough capability to support the drawing process and integration with corporate data.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the purposes of this discussion it is more meaningful to compare the two platforms with regard to total cost of use than to compare individual features and functions of Visio vs. AutoCAD.\u00a0 Below, we present a table of comparative costs and then a more expanded description including a list of \u201cmyths\u201d that we\u2019ve heard from CAD proponents who don\u2019t take Visio seriously.\u00a0 I hope this will help\u00a0you make your own informed decisions about which is a more sensible solution for your particular needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Latest Versions<\/strong><\/td>\nLicense<\/strong><\/td>\nUpgrade<\/strong><\/td>\nMaintenance Subscription<\/strong><\/td>\nTraining Days<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AutoCAD<\/td>\n$3995<\/td>\n$595<\/td>\n$450<\/td>\n6 – 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AutoCAD Mechanical<\/td>\n$4495<\/td>\n$695<\/td>\n$495<\/td>\n6 – 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AutoCAD Architecture<\/td>\n$4994<\/td>\n$795<\/td>\n$595<\/td>\n6 – 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AutoCAD Electrical<\/td>\n$5295<\/td>\n$795<\/td>\n$595<\/td>\n6 – 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Visio Professional<\/strong><\/td>\n$559.95<\/strong><\/td>\n$349.95<\/strong><\/td>\n$0<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Cost of Software<\/strong><\/p>\n