Software Review of:
IMSI Flow! 
Charts & Diagrams 

Minimum requirements include:  486DX66, 8 MB RAM, VGA monitor 800 x 600, 40 MB for typical install, CD-ROM (2X or higher), MS Windows 95/NT 4.0. The box states that IMSI Flow! also works with MS Windows 98. Install was easy on my machine (Win NT 4.0 SP6a). But, please be aware, before I install any program on my machine, I first read the manual for any specific installation instructions. I then visit the manufacturer’s website for the latest updates and the FAQ section so that I can be aware of any problems that the program might have. One has to be very careful, because you never know what might happen to your system. After visiting the manufacturer’s website, I downloaded the update (Flowpatch 4.8 MB). This updates the program from V 4.00.056 to V 4.00.074. Before using the program, I reread the manual so that I would be prepared. I have to say, folks, this is a beautifully laid out program — very intuitive! However, this is not a program for people who will not read the manual or who will not spend a few minutes to learn about the toolbars, toolbox, or symbol (design shape) libraries. If you spend the time, you will be rewarded with attractive diagrams. 

The text features in Flow! work like those in a word processing program. You can create text anywhere on the page; you can change font size, color or appearance. You can add text to symbols. You can bullet text or flow text along a line. You can find and replace text. You can do fills — shading, colors, or patterns. Best of all, you can do spell-checking, even inside symbols. One outstanding feature is how symbols can be connected. This is done at "connection points." Let’s say you connect symbols at their connection points using a straight line. When you move the symbols to a different position on the page relative to each other, the line stays connected. But here is the icing on the cake; you can add connection points to a symbol. That is, if you need three more connection points because you have a lot of lines flowing to that particular symbol — hey! Go ahead and add them. If you prefer, you can make the program automatically connect the symbols for you. Just choose the symbols you want connected; click the Connect command; and Flow! automatically finds the best route between the objects and connects them at the connection points. 

You can click and drag objects. . .you can duplicate. . . you can align objects manually by clicking on the Align and Distribute command or you can use the snap-to grids. You can rotate, join, or trim objects! Hey! This is one versatile program. You can work with layers! Anybody who has ever worked with a program that gives you the ability to use layers knows how valuable a tool this can be. The program provides a few templates, but you will not really use them, as it is too easy to make your own charts. 

One of the most important features I liked is that the diagrams can be exported and saved as a graphic file e.g., jpg and then used in other programs, e.g., MS Word. Nothing is as frustrating as trying to use a program that saves to a proprietary format, e.g., MS Publisher saves as .pub. This restricts its use. One thing I did not like — if you use a symbol (design shape) in a chart, you cannot easily change the symbol (design shape) at a later date. You have to delete the symbol and copy a different symbol from a symbol library. Why can’t you right click on the symbol and "change" the shape? As a side note, I did call IMSI to make a recommendation regarding this specific request. IMSI is taking this suggestion under advisement for future updates. 

Printing also has some unique and practical features. You can print selected objects/symbols from your flowchart design. One of the most convenient features in the entire print setup is that you can use the Print Preview to resize the entire diagram. You can also use the Print Preview to center your diagram. You can even set a bleed limit, or you can print large diagrams as tiles. 

I did not need technical support. The product’s on-line help and printed documentation was first rate. I liked the context sensitive help. I would recommend this program to anyone needing flow charting capabilities. The on-line manufacturer’s price for IMSI Flow! is $49.95 plus S&H. The program features compare favorably to programs costing between $199 to $400. Thank you IMSI! On a sad note – this program is available only from the manufacturer either as a download or on CD-ROM. IMSI can be reached either on the Internet or by telephone at 800-833-8082.