Linking Visio to a data source

[monkeyblood]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice,

Q1) What is the best and most flexible data source to use to link Visio drawings shape data to? - By that, I mean data sources like Excel, MS Access, SQL Server, MySQL, etc?
I have Visio 2007 and 2010 users and I am looking to link sets of project drawings to a project data source (as well as linking Excel files to the same data source).
The ultimate aim is to reduce repetition, by having a single point of data entry.
The data editing should ideally be two-way, so changing a drawing amends the data source, and vice versa.

Q2) How can revisions to drawings be controlled when the data source changes, as you do not want tis to be automatic, when you open a drawing, as the revisioning process should be a 'guifded process' if you chose to do it at that point.

Has anyone done this before, and can offer any advice, pitfalls, shortcomings, etc?

Thanks in advance, MB

[aledlund]

As an observation (no data to support), the most common request for linking is an excel source. I prefer a real database (access then sql) the decision on platform is usually based upon how much information will be required and the data design parameters. The first step is always the data design.
The second part of your question brings forward the issue that standard data linking is a dynamic source and a static drawing. Anything beyond that is custom code. This includes round-tripping of data and changes in the data source that include new objects or the removal of objects.
al