The difference between Amode & Mapping/Drawing Programs.

You may have already used a Mind Mapping or drawing application before. You open Amode and see some similar features on the surface... so what is the difference?

Mindsystems Amode is a complete information handling solution that is designed to help users manage information in a visually intuitive way, therefore adding to their personal productivity. By harnessing the power of visual recognition, you are able to manage and understand complex information far more effectively than with traditional methods.

Mindsystems Amode combines several critical working functions that would otherwise require multiple software applications. Within the same workspace you can manage information, create visuals and plan projects. Applications such as Mindsystems Amode are known as 'Method Neutral' applications because they do not favour one visual style over another, instead allowing the user to decide on which is best for each project/item.

Key Concept: Information Management Software allows you handle multiple projects at the same time, end-to-end. Visuals like maps/diagrams are one of many tools used to explain each topic, they do not dominate the interface as is the case with specialist visual applications.

In this diagram we see an important difference in the file structure and the logic of how information is handled.

Amode allows you to arrange information in whichever way you choose. You can make it a hierarchy based project or not. Each individual topic can have any amount of reference material, graphics, maps associated with it.

The mapping application shows the information in a visual format, but the hierarchy behind that is rigid. It is the graphic that represents the information and the hierarchy is fixed. In situations where there are many topics or items, this method loses effectiveness very quickly, often becoming counter-productive.

In this context we are able to see that Amode is better suited to visual databases, information store and flexibility. The mapping application is best suited to initial brainstorming or clarification.

The advantage with Amode is that the function the mapping application is best suited to, brainstorming and clarification, can actually be performed in Amode's overview area. So in actually fact Amode accomplishes both tasks, where as the mapping application only covers one aspect.

Amode offers multiple ways to handle and display information.

If you only work in Mind Mapping applications, it means no matter what you do every task must conform to that style of working. If you only use linear documents, the same applies. Is this the best way to work?

If you take a Method Neutral approach it means your focus is on a fast high quality result, and you don’t care if you have to combine a range of working styles to achieve it.

In most cases people already do this without realising it. You may have one application to help you write documents, one to visualise and create thought maps and another to plan your schedule. In any given day you may access these applications several times, requiring you to adapt your thought and work processes to the requirements of the software at hand.

A visual map may be great to brainstorm ideas... but how good is it really at managing a complex report? Similarly, how effective is brainstorming in a Word document? Would it make sense to combine these into a single application?

This is the power behind Amode, true flexibility without any bias toward a particular style of working. In Amode, information is King and the method you use to explain it is just a means to an end.