The ability to collaborate quickly and easily throughout every phase of a project is critical for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. With its expanded access and cost-effective price tag, cloud technology is an excellent way for firms to increase productivity and efficiency. Although it may seem counterintuitive, large format technical document systems play a vital role in optimizing cloud computing capabilities for AEC organizations.

Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A, explains how a combination of the cloud and technical document systems can help AEC professionals achieve a productive and cost-effect approach to meet collaboration and workflow requirements.

A Partnership in Productivity

Effectively moving data to the cloud is the first step in taking full advantage of collaborative possibilities enabled by cloud-based document sharing and storage solutions. To do this, documents must be published to a centralized data repository that can be easily accessed by all users. Large format technical document systems with scanning capabilities are ideal on-ramps to the cloud for AEC firms. As long as the cloud storage provider has an FTP front end that enables scan to FTP functionality, users can store any documents they choose.

Easily accessing, sharing and moving data from the cloud is an equally important part of the cloud workflow equation. Large format printers can serve as highly convenient off-ramps from the cloud. After opening, viewing and making any necessary changes to the documents, users can print using appropriate 3^rd party software to supported printers within the reach of an organizations WIFI router. 

The multifunction print, scan and copy nature of today’s advanced large format print systems streamline workflow and provide valuable flexibility for team members involved in multi-faceted AEC projects. Printed documents and in-person presentations continue to play vital roles in the day-to-day operations of successful AEC firms.  Large format equipment that enables seamless virtual collaboration and delivers high-quality, printed documents is essential to meet firms’ evolving workflow needs. 

Combining the capabilities of cloud technology and large format technical document systems offers AEC firms sharpen their competitive edge. To learn more, please click here to download the Canon Solutions America white paper “Large Format Print Systems and Cloud Computing: A Productive Partnership”.