Micrografx charters quick net planning

Micrografx claims it can slash network planning time through its design and documentation tool, which holds a library of 9,000 devices and their configuration rules.

NetworkCharter is designed to locate and identify all intelligent devices on company Lans, and then automatically create a graphical or tabular model of the network, revealing hardware changes or gaps.

"This saves a lot of time and effort because it takes over the job of working out which devices are suitable for particular environments," according to Kenneth Carraher, VP of enterprise solutions at Micrografx.

At an annual subscription fee of £300, the product library is continually updated. Custom devices can also be added.

Micrografx is targeting NetworkCharter's design tool at contractors and integrators as well as network managers. The detailed network diagram offers an easy and impressive proposal format, claims Carraher.

Inbuilt wizards process user choices against logic, device library rules and specifications to create Lan and Wan models. The diagram also indicates suitable cards and control software.