Should ABC Law Firm Invest in Microsoft Visio?

ABC Law Firm depends on Microsoft Excel and Word for preparing diagrams, tables, charts and flow charts which are incorporated throughout the practice. For example, the firm relied on an organization chart created in Excel to determine where additional staff was need. Also flow charts and tables are used to teach new employees the procedures of the firm and software applications. Visual depictions of these items are easier to review than a detailed list or document. Preparing charts in Excel and Word can be time consuming and the customization features are limited.

After researching Microsoft Visio as a possible software application for the firm, I found it has a multitude of functions. Visio enables the user to create diagrams, process flow charts, organization charts, work flow diagrams, data flow charts, timelines and network diagrams. The software is user friendly and diagrams are created faster in Visio than Excel or Word.

Now the question is presented: Should ABC Law Firm Invest in Microsoft Visio?

Microsoft Visio can be a wonderful tool for the firm to purchase. For example, an estate administration data flow chart can be prepared for clients, the timeline feature can be used for lengthy litigation cases and a work flow chart can be used to pinpoint inefficiencies. Below is an example of the monthly billing system within the firm. The shapes in green relate to all the functions of Paralegal 2 within the billing system. The shapes in blue show all other firm members. Visio can also be used for depicting other administrative processes.

My recommendation is to purchase one to three licenses of Microsoft Visio 2013 Standard Edition for approximately $150.00 per license. The firm's IT representative can install the software locally on the network and make it available on all workstations but will limit the amount of users that can access it at one time. The firm has other specialty software installed in the same manner. Microsoft Visio can be a wonderful resource for the firm and I highly recommend investing in it.