Canon imagePROGRAF large format MFPs, available for less than $10,000, help save valuable time and money and reduce errors — and produce stunning visuals that can help win projects. Because of Canon’s distribution policies with these products, almost anyone can sell them.
Numerous efficiencies have been realized in recent years in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) fields through the rapid expansion of digital design and building information modeling (BIM). More detailed and defined modeling has led to a higher degree of coordination and information sharing among project team members. Architects and engineers in particular have reaped many benefits from this digital sea change as they have been able to pro- vide their clients with visually stunning graphic renderings that convey design intent with new clarity while significantly reducing design time and costs. Unfortunately, in some cases, the efficiencies gained by the design team translate to increased costs for general contractors and subcontractors. One example is large-format printing.
As they always have, building project owners release RFPs for bids from contractors and subcontractors. What’s changed now is that today’s project specifications are distributed as digital documents rather than large-format paper drawings, and it’s up to contractors to print the documents for review and estimation. Because contractors and subcontractors must be able to view these designs in minute detail, they frequently send the files to reprographics firms or other service bureaus for printing.
Not only must contractors absorb these new costs, they also must account for the extra time needed to obtain the printing from an outside service. When printing lags make deadlines hard to meet, they may lose business opportunities or gain a reputation for slow delivery. Many general contractors and subcontractors are finding that the additional cost, time, and effort required to outsource large-format printing is prohibitive. As such, they are beginning to recognize the benefit of owning a large-format printer.
Designed and built for AEC firms, GIS professionals, and other tech- nical document users, large-format printers address the unique printing requirements for the AEC industry’s CAD-based drawings and renderings. Large-format printers were designed for reproducing not only architec- tural and engineering plans, but also corollary documents including parts diagrams, workflow diagrams, solids models, facilities management plans, zoning diagrams, foot traffic plans, site surveys, and development plans.
CANON LARGE FORMAT IMAGEPROGRAF MFP SERIES
Canon, a long-time leader in imaging technology, steps into this scenario with its imagePROGRAF series multi- function printers (MFP), which provide affordable, all-in-one, copy-file-share solutions for today’s busy contractors. Each imagePROGRAF MFP large- format solution includes all the hard- ware and software needed to support a complete copy-file-share workflow:
- Choice of printer, according to your needs for document size, RAM, and hard drive capacity.
- Color scanner, which offers out- standing image accuracy and a high level of detail — and can save files directly from the MFP workstation in PDF, JPG, and TIFF formats.
- 22” touch-screen monitor that allows users to preview and edit files without leaving the MFP.
- MFP stand that can be positioned for optimal functionality and user comfort and is designed to occupy minimal floor space.
- SmartWorks MFP software that delivers dynamic file preview and a large, intuitive interface — and can print PDF files directly.
