About the Author

David J. Parker explored linking Unix CAD and SQL databases in the early ‘90s for facilities and cable management, as he was frustrated as an architect in the late ‘80s, trying to match 3D building models with spreadsheets.

In ‘96 he discovered the ease of linking data to Visio diagrams of personnel and office layouts. He immediately became one of the first Visio business partners in Europe, and was soon invited to present his applications at worldwide Visio conferences. He started his own Visio-based consultancy and development business, bVisual ltd (http://www.bvisual.net), applying analysis, synthesis, and design to various graphical information solutions.

He has presented Visio solution provider courses for Microsoft EMEA, adding personal anecdotes and previous mistakes hoping that all can learn from them.

He wrote his first book, Visualizing Information with Microsoft Office Visio 2007 (http://www.visualizinginformation.com), to spread the word about data-linked diagrams in business, and is currently writing his second book, which is about creating custom rules for validating structured diagrams in Visio 2010.

David wrote WBS Modeler for Microsoft, which integrates Visio and Project, and many other Visio solutions for various vertical markets.

David has been regularly awarded Most Valued Professional status for his Visio community work over the years, and maintains a Visio blog at http://bvisual.spaces.live.com.

Based near to Microsoft UK in Reading, he still sees the need for Visio evangelism throughout the business and development community.

I would like to thank the Microsoft Visio for continuing to develop such a great application, and in particular, Stephanie Horn for agreeing to edit this book. Similarly, I would like to thank my fellow Visio MVP, John Marshall, for his help and encouragement. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife, Beena, for allowing me to write another book!