Released on: July 1, 2008, 5:31 am

Press Release Author: Mark Alan Effinger

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: As corporations adopt visual brainstorming (mindmapping) at a
double-digit rate, ThoughtOffice Brainstorming Software\'s newly updated application
adds intelligence to mindmaps.

Press Release Body: Portland, OR, July 1, 2008 -- Tony Buzan\'s Mind Map provided a
visual diagram of what the user already knew; ThoughtOffice adds considerable
intelligence and creativity to what has previously been a purely visual process.
ThoughtOffice (http://www.thoughtoffice.com/) is an innovative application that
takes adds a whole new level of creativity to Mindmapping.

There are more than two million mindmapping software programs at work within
companies today, and many millions more are hand-drawn or on the net. Mindmaps are
acknowledged to be a remarkably useful tool or process to help visualize
information, and the links between bits of data.

ThoughtOffice Brainstorming Software is a powerful, yet simple-to-use tool that
helps increase the intelligence of a mindmapping project. If thinking processes
become too linear, opportunities can be missed. ThoughtOffice can be used to capture
the natural flow of ideas, as they occur, then apply associative thinking principles
to nearly any project.

Creativity software has been around almost as long as computers, but until the
Internet created a sort of universal cultural memory, its full potential had not
been realized. New applications like ThoughtOffice
(http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=35) and similar brainstorming or
idea-generation tools provide the next evolutionary step for the mind map.

Associative thinking software is the vehicle that can take mind mapping into fresh,
undiscovered country. Marsh Fisher, the founder of Century 21 Real Estate, is
credited with bringing together associative thinking and the personal computer. He
began devising the father of brainstorming software, IdeaFisher, in 1976. IdeaFisher
received well-deserved attention and acclaim from the news media, when it publicly
debuted in 1988. When Internet connectivity became ubiquitous, Mark Alan Effinger
(later to become ThoughtOffice CEO) worked with Mr. Fisher to gain insights into the
process of brainstorming -- then went on to channel the incredibly diverse resources
of the World Wide Web, providing instant access to an ever-growing universe of
associations.

Many companies developed software around the process of mind mapping, helping users
to visualize information. ThoughtOffice chose to go beyond the limits of mind
mapping. \"ThoughtOffice expands the process of creative visualization by providing
broad, deep access to associations & up-to-the-minute information critical to the
brainstorming and creative process,\" says Dave Lockman, ThoughtOffice Product
Specialist. \"Working hand-in-hand with mind mapping software, ThoughtOffice can
provide the critically important idea-generating elements. It provides the
productive insights needed to move beyond simple problem solving to true
innovation.\"

What comes next after brainstorming? Some experts call the next step \"Brainlining\".
Brainlining provides guidance to the creative process by using a moderator.
Marketing consultant Martin Grossman, (http://www.martingrossman.net/) based in
Portland, Oregon, says, \"It streamlines the brainstorming process to make it as
efficient as the combination of an online roadmap and a GPS device.\"

Creativity solutions like ThoughtOffice (http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=39)
guide the user\'s thinking out of the ruts of the predictable into the discovery of
novel or unexpected ideas. With these programs, problem-solving evolves beyond
critical thinking into truly innovative thinking.

Mark Alan Effinger, CEO of ThoughtOffice, says, \"Brainstorming to the X power is one
way to describe how ThoughtOffice makes innovations possible.\" In the past,
associative thinking processes relied on the often arduous effort of digging deeply
into the mind. Now users can start their mental explorations with just a single
word, as the software allows associations and images to flow naturally into place.
Fresh ideas and new thinking are the keys to innovation, moving projects from the
lab to the marketplace. \"New ideas are clearly presented through text and images
that cut through the noise. Ultimately, this helps creatives develop and sell
products or services. It\'s just that easy.\"

Creativity software has improved to the point where users now have Internet-ready
software that receives the user\'s unhindered flow of ideas and translates it into
great messages for PR, advertising, marketing, script & speech writing -- or
virtually any other creative activity. The next generation of creativity software
has arrived, and creative professionals like what they see.

ThoughtOffice is the result of several years of pondering & exploring the very
concept of brainstorming software, an evolution that began with IdeaFisher, one of
the first creativity programs, which led to eXpertSystem, ThoughtOffice\'s
predecessor. \"This is the next step in computer-assisted idea generation,\" says
Effinger. \"I believe we\'re taking the concept of lateral thinking further than
anyone has before.\"

Martin Grossman adds, \"ThoughtOffice is the brainstorming equivalent of steroids --
and it won\'t keep you out of the advertising, marketing, and PR Hall of Fame.\"

About ThoughtOffice Corporation
ThoughtOffice, based in Portland, Oregon, develops and markets tools that empower
individuals and organizations to create rich content and improve productivity
through creativity. Founded in 1998, the company produces writing, brainstorming and
creativity software, and provides PR & business services to technology startups and
fast-growth companies (http:///www.exitpath.com). The company can be reached at
http://www.thoughtoffice.com or by calling 360-609-9272.
Press release distribution by PressReleasePoint ( http://www.pressreleasepoint.com )

Contact:
Mark Alan Effinger
ThoughtOffice
Portland, OR
360-609-9272
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://www.ThoughtOffice.com

Web Site: http://www.ThoughtOffice.com

Contact Details: Portland, OR