[  The SimonTOOL  ]

[Glossary] The SimonTOOL is a graphical drawing software package that is used to create

Simon Visual Language drawings and blueprints for business and technology.
 

[  Features  ]

The SimonTOOL was designed to keep your mind on your design and not on the tool. The tool's emphasis is creating drawings that communicate visually. SimonTOOL is integrated into Microsoft Visio yet requires no Visio experience, while providing the power and capabilities of Visio if needed. SimonTOOL uses an inspector interface so it is always ready to accept input. The patent pending shape bracket (that contains this text) is controlled intuitively, providing unparalled flexibility in presenting information, including imbedding snippets of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and all forms of graphics.

[  Icons  ]

The SimonTOOL contains a library of over 2,000 icons designed by an award-winning graphic artist so even those artistically challenged can produce beautiful drawings that demand to be "read." The ever-growing library of icons, organized by industry and discipline, can be augmented by custom icons ordered from Simon Labs with overnight delivery. The SimonTOOL includes icon sets for many popular business models such as the Zachman Framework, Baldridge, Michael Porter's Value Chain Analysis and Competitive Forces Model, Balanced Scorecard, SWOT, and others, allowing these to be presented fluidly with the Simon Visual Language. The Simon Enterprise Architecture Model and Simon Strategy and Action Model organize these models into a
logically organized blueprint that all can "read."

[  Books  ]

The Simon Visual Language and SimonTOOL are described in the following publications from Simon Labs Press, available at Simon Store and amazon.com:

Business Design & Blueprints: Effective Business Communication Using the Simon Visual Language (full-color, "written" entirely in the Simon Visual Language and SimonTOOL).  ISBN 0-9743034-0-2

Drawings from Business Design & Blueprints (a set of actual drawings taken from the book and printed in the tabloid blueprint size recommended by the SimonTOOL). ISBN 0-9743034-1-0

Technology Design & Blueprints: Effective Technology Communication Using the Simon Visual Language.
(1Q 2005). ISBN 0-9743034-2-9

Drawings from Technology Design & Blueprints: ISBN 0-9743034-3-7

Simon Visual Language Reference for Reviewers (quick-start reference guide for those reviewing drawings) ISBN 0-9743034-4-5

[  Quick Start Package  ]

A complete package for a one-week project to create your first enterprise architecture drawings. Includes design reviews by Simon Labs architects. simontool.com/quickstart