Visio 2007 - Create a Space plan, and having objects update when m

[Rohan Beckett]

Hello!

I'm looking for a tutorial/example, or set of steps that would help me
create a space plan that links to an asset database.

What I want to achieve:

- A Visio diagram, that has an imported map of all buildings/rooms in the
school.
- Spaces defined, and names retrieved from a listing (Excel/Access/etc)
- Computer objects on the diagram, also linked from an Excel Spreadsheet.
- everything except the Computers 'locked' down, so they are the only things
that can be selected/moved. So that other junior techs can easily update the
assetlist/map when they move a PC to another room.


I'd then like to be able to Open the Visio file, and see all Computers in
the school. When I pick up a Computer Shape, and move it to another room, it
automatically updates the 'room' field in the spreadsheet (either immediatly,
or when I close the Visio file, not fussed)

Optionally, it would be nice if the spreadsheet was changed, next time I
open the Visio file, the Computers have been moved to the right room.
And, if new Computers have been added to the spreadsheet, they appear in
some sort of 'unplaced' view/space, next time we open the Visio file

I'd like to start simple, with just ComputerName/Roomname, but then expand
with other sheets/objects, to track other assets.

I've played a bit with the helpfile, and the basic spaces tutorial on MS's
website, but nothing seems to update when I move the shapes around. There
must be something I'm missing in Linking the data.

If someone has a basic 'visio+excel' combo linked, and working, that I could
'look under the hood' and see how it works, I'd be very appreciative!

This seems like such a powerful, and exciting use of Visio, but I'm
frustrated on how difficult it seems.

Thanks!
Rohan Beckett

 

[AlEdlund]

Your's are a very common set of requirements, and they touch the first three
of the primary four when talking about managing IT components/facilities
(link to data, roundtrip data, create from data, interact with devices). The
link to data is easily accomplished with visio 2007 Pro and supports both
Access/Excel. Some elementary roundtrip can be done with the database
wizard, the other two require custom code.

You might find this interesting
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa140251(office.10).aspx

al