Thursday, September 24, 2020

AIA ABI Index for August 2020 - remained at 40.0 (same as June and July)

WASHINGTON – Sept. 23, 2020 – Business conditions remained stalled at architecture firms during August as demand for design services continued to decline, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).


The pace of decline during August remained at about the same level as in July and June, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 40.0(any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). Inquiries into new projects during August grew for the first time since February, and the value of new design contracts increased to a score of 46.0. As a result, fewer firms reported a decline in August, despite the fact that they remained negative overall.


“Unfortunately, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many architecture firms are finding fewer inquiries that convert to billable projects,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “While fewer firms reported declining billings in August than during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fact that the score has been unchanged for the last three months shows that the recovery from this downturn is not progressing at the pace we had hoped to see.”


Key ABI figures for August include:


·      Regional averages: Midwest (41.7); South (41.6); West (41.3); Northeast (33.9) 

·      Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (49.4); mixed practice (41.9); institutional (40.2); commercial/industrial (35.5) 

·      Project inquiries index: 51.6

·      Design contracts index: 46.0

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Five Critical Pitfalls to Avoid in Construction Document Management

If you’re in the reprographics business and offer “document management services”, then it would be wise for you to be knowledgeable about the pitfalls your customers want to avoid.

Link to article:

https://blogs.oracle.com/construction-engineering/five-critical-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-construction-document-management?xd_co_f=8173a68f-8282-4923-9ce8-24a4a1b33cd3

A/E/C Technology Solutions Listing (from AECbytes)

COPIED FROM AN EMAIL I RECEIVED THIS MORNING:

 

“AEC Technology Solutions Listing

September 10, 2020

 

AECbytes now has a full listing of all the applications that are available for AEC — for the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure. This listing can be seen at: http://www.aecbytes.com/vendorhub/.

 

I have been searching for such a listing for some time, but did not find it anywhere, so I decided to just go ahead and create one myself.

 

A couple of things to note:

 

The applications are grouped into categories. While there are many applications that do not fit neatly into one single category, an application is listed in the primary category it can be best identified with. This is in order to keep the list compact and make applications easier to find.

 

This is an evolving list and will be continuously updated so it stays current. Feedback on applications that are missing or miscategorized is welcome. Please send the name of the application and the category you think it should be listed in to me at lachmi@aecbytes.com.

            

I hope you find the listing useful. 

 

Lachmi Khemlani

Founder and Editor, AECbytes”

 

Link:

http://www.aecbytes.com/vendorhub/

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

HP Introduces its newest DesignJet Printers (wide-format plotters)

Today, HP Inc. unveiled the world's easiest large format plotters for AEC and home offices with the latest additions to its DesignJet portfolio. The three new additions to the HP DesignJet series are aimed at simplifying the printing needs of construction ecosystem professionals while delivering high-quality and fast printouts at a low cost.

 

Architect, Engineer, Construction and Home Offices

The world's smallest plotters and more sustainable than ever, the new HP DesignJet Series is aesthetically designed, simple to operate and sustainably constructed

News Highlights 


  • Simple to operate: Print multi-size projects automatically and send multiple files in one click with HP Click, all without compromising on speed.1
  • Fits your office and budget: Save space and make a statement with the world's smallest plotters2 designed to fit your office and style.
  • Matches the way you work: Print your jobs and manage your print jobs from virtually anywhere, anytime with the HP Smart App.
  • Meets your sustainability goals: First net carbon neutral printers and world’s most sustainable plotters3, cutting carbon emissions per printer by 7.3 tons a year and constructed from 30% recycled plastic.4
    • Free, convenient HP ink cartridge and printhead recycling through the HP Planet Partners Program5  and works with Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)-certified papers and a range of recyclable HP media with a take-back program.6

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) has announced the release of a new HP DesignJet portfolio aimed to simplify the printing needs of construction ecosystem professionals (architects, engineers, constructors and subcontractors), while delivering high-quality and fast print-outs at a low cost.

The new HP DesignJet series comprises intelligent, flexible, compact and stylish printers, that are unique to other types of plotters on the market today. With HP Click software, one-click printing – even for documents of different sizes – is made easy. Combined with the automatic A3/B tray, it enables to print multi-size projects automatically – A3/B and A1/D or A0/E – without manually switching the media source. The new HP DesignJet series also enables seamless printing and management from any connected device, wherever you are, thanks to the HP Smart App.

The new large-format HP DesignJet portfolio includes:


  • The HP DesignJet T200 Printer series: Easy and affordable printing with the world’s smallest plotters.
  • The HP DesignJet T600 series: Fast and simple large-format plotters, designed for construction ecosystem professionals focused on executing, problem solving and multitasking.
  • The HP DesignJet Studio Printer series: For Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) professionals focused on creativity/design and sensitive to aesthetics.

“The new DesignJet Series, from the T200 through to the T600 and Studio Printer versions, bring a new level of design, simplicity and connectivity for creative professionals,” said Guayente SanmartĂ­n, vice president and general manager, HP Large Format Printing Business. “With their automatic printing of A3/B and large format, their ability to print from anywhere and their extreme simplicity, these printers are perfect for AEC professionals that work either in the office or from home. In addition, their use of recycled plastics and the introduction of our first net carbon neutral large format printer underlines HP’s continued commitment to our planet.”


HP DesignJet T200 Printer series

Built to fit in the smallest of spaces, the HP DesignJet T200 Printer series are the world’s smallest large-format plotters. With a width of 24 inches and capable of printing up to A17, they’re designed for simplicity of use with HP Click software, enabling rapid one-click printing of multiple files at once. The A3/B automatic sheet feeder accessory offers the ability to print multi-size A3/LF workflows without changing media input.

Standout features of the HP DesignJet T200 Printer series include:

  • High-speed: Print an A1 sheet in as little as 30 seconds.8
  • Smart Printing: Print multi-size A3/B and A1/D projects without changing the medium and in one-click with HP Click.
  • Increased mobility: Print anywhere with the HP Smart App.
  • Sustainably designed: Constructed from 30% recycled plastic.3
  • Designed to fit your budget: Use up to 95% less ink for routine maintenance.9
  • Higher-quality results: With 31% more line accuracy and 65% more gamut than competitors.10

As well as being compact, easy to use and delivering high-quality results, the HP DesignJet T200 Printer series is also comprised of the most sustainable large-format plotters in the world, reducing carbon emissions by using up to 30% recycled plastic.11


HP DesignJet T600 Printer series

The HP DesignJet T600 Printer series shares many of the market-leading characteristics that present the HP DesignJet T200 Printer series as a leader in its class. The new series has the added ability to handle multi-size A3/LF workflows as default, comes with an integrated stand and is designed to handle complex projects, with increased memory and native HP-GL/2 support.

  • Extreme simplicity: Print multi-size A3/B and A1/D or A0/E projects automatically, without manually switching the media source and in just one click with HP Click and the integrated A3/B tray.
  • Matches the way you work: Avoid waiting by the printer with high-speed printing as fast as 25 seconds per A1/D plot.12
  • Increased mobility: Print anywhere with the HP Smart App.
  • Higher-quality results: With 31% more line accuracy and 65% more gamut than competitors.13

Like its compact counterparts, the HP DesignJet T600 Printer series is made up of 30% recycled plastic, helping to reach HP’s goal to increase recycled plastic content14 – well ahead of its 2025 target.

The versatile, sustainable, intelligent HP DesignJet T600 Printer series is available in 24-inch and 36-inch models. With its premium print engine, it can print a sheet of A1 media in as little as 25 seconds.15 From set-up to picking up the print job, they are up to 2X faster than their competitors.16


HP DesignJet Studio Printer series

For design professionals, set up and style of their workplace is a statement about themselves. With a sleek white facia and wood or steel finish, the HP DesignJet Studio Printer series delivers a high-performance experience for design professionals and is uniquely designed without ever compromising on speed, quality or ease of use.

At the intersection of performance and design, the HP DesignJet Studio printer is for creative professionals who need a large-format printer that fits seamlessly into the carefully crafted space of their client-facing workplace, all the while ensuring to keep up with the varied demands of the clients themselves.

Highly sensitive to issues of sustainability, the HP DesignJet Studio Printer series is CarbonNeutral® certified in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol17. It covers lifecycle emissions due to raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use of HP printers, Original HP supplies, and paper, and end of service.18

In addition to this, these printers support multi-size workflows as default, come equipped with HP Click one-click printing software, and possess the ability to commence a job from any connected device with the HP Smart App.  

 

Friday, September 4, 2020

Visual Edge Technology – company doing a roll-up of imaging technology dealers

LOOKS TO ME LIKE THIS COMPANY IS DOING A ROLL-UP SIMILAR TO THE ROLL-UPS THAT DANKA, IKON, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS AND DEX IMAGING DID YEARS AGO…..

 

(And, just for memories sake…… Konica Minolta bought Danka, Ricoh bought IKON, Xerox bought Global Solutions, and Staples bought Dex Imaging.)

 

"Visual Edge Technology, Inc., headquartered in North Canton, Ohio was formed as a developmental startup in the wide format printing industry. Since then we have broadened our scope and through strategic acquisitions we have become one of the largest, value-added resellers in the office automation industry."

 

Announcements about a couple of the companies VET has acquired:



This link shows the names/logos of the companies VET has purchased, so far:

https://www.visualedgetechnology.com/our-family/

Names and Roles of Executive Team members:

Austin Vanchieri, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Vanchieri is President & CEO of Visual Edge Technology; and formerly President of Xerox Information Systems, a billion dollar division of Xerox Corporation, and Xerox Corporate Vice President.

Michael Brigner, Senior Vice President

Mr. Brigner was formerly Vice President, Market Development and Investments for Sharp Documents Solutions Company of America. Prior to that he held executive sales/operation leadership positions at IKON, Office Depot, Pitney Bowes, ADP, Savin Corporation, and Xerox Corporation.

Brian Frank, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Frank, was formerly President of Graphic Enterprises Office Solutions, Copeco and GEI WideFormat. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Walsh University and a certificate from the Chicago School of Business.  He began his career as a Sales Representative with Graphic Enterprises in 1984, becoming the highest sales producer in the company’s history.

Mr. Frank was promoted to COO of Visual Edge Technology for his proven ability to develop successful management teams and to maximize company profitability.  Combining professional leadership development and business strategy, Mr. Frank works with acquired VET companies and their presidents to develop transition plans, increase earnings and implement best practices.

David Ramos, Chief Strategy Officer

David Ramos was the director of channel strategy service and data platform services at Infotrends (now Keypoint Intelligence), sales operations consultant at strategy development, and general manager and business development manager at IKON Office Solutions.

He received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Alaska Anchorage.

In his current role as Chief Strategy Officer at Visual Edge Technology, he will conduct benchmark analysis of current Visual Edge operating companies, facilitate operational improvements and efficiencies, and conduct due diligence for all acquisition targets.

Michael Cozzens, Senior Vice President – Sales

Michael Cozzens, former president of WBS Technology, a Visual Edge Technology company, was president and CEO of Wood Business Systems until it was acquired by Visual Edge in 2015.   Before his ownership of Wood Business Systems, Cozzens served in various regional and executive roles with Kyocera America, spanning over 13 years, including as vice president of sales, Kyocera dealer division.

Mr. Cozzens is a CDIA-certified document imaging architect and has been an active member of the Copier Dealers Association (CDA), Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and several Dade and Palm Beach County executive groups.  He studied business administration at Georgia State University.

In Cozzens’ current role with Visual Edge, he serves as vice president of business development. As a member of the Visual Edge Executive Management Team, he will be working with Senior VP of Business Development Michael Brigner on a number of growth initiatives as Visual Edge shares its vision to grow business nationwide.

Mark Gibson, VP & General Manager of Managed IT Services

Mark A. Gibson possesses over 38 years of sales, operations, and executive level business experience. Mark has 36 years of experience in the office  technologies and Managed IT sectors. Mark currently provides executive strategic and operations leadership for Visual Edge IT. Formerly, Mark served as president and founder of Netwise Resources which was acquired by Visual Edge in 2017. Netwise has been recognized as Microsoft’s 100 most influential partners and MSP 501’s top global 200 Managed IT Service Providers, and CRN Pioneer 250.

Michael Mills, VP Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Michael Mills was CFO of FlexPrint, LLC, headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, where, over three years, he transitioned the company from a single-owner LLC to a private equity-owned group, Oval Partners. Prior to that, Michael was involved in executive leadership positions with Nevill (Kyocera), DOCUmation, Imagine Technology Group, Danka, and MWB Business.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Texas at Dallas.

In his current role as vice president of administration, Mr. Mills will be involved in strategic planning, process management, systems analysis & implementation, real-estate management, project management, compliance management, human resources, database management, and corporate marketing strategy.  

Melissa Morrison, Vice President, Human Resources

Missy Morrison recently worked in a number of HR management roles, with an emphasis on benefits administration and payroll.  Prior to joining Visual Edge, Morrison spent 19-years at Myers Industries, Inc., a holding company for plastics manufacturing and distribution companies.  She was a key player in several of Myers’ mergers and  acquisitions, assisting in due diligence and process standardization.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Mount Union and has earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.  She is currently completing certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS). She is also an alumna of the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.

Save the date for the PRINTING United Digital Experience, Oct.26 -Nov.12

PRINTING United Alliance -- Membership Minute: September 2, 2020….

 

Save the date for the PRINTING United Digital Experience, Oct.26 -Nov.12, for 14 action-packed days of carefully curated keynotes, educational programming, and worldwide product launches and demonstrations being offered at no charge to attendees, as the industry moves toward recovery in 2021.

 

Link to sign up for the video newsletter:

 

https://www.printingnews.com/video/video/21143649/printing-united-alliance-membership-minute-september-2-2020

 

Canon U.S.A. Adds Colortrac SC 42c Xpress 42-inch Scanner to Large Format Offering

Canon USA Press Release, September 4, 2020

 

This scanner adds a 42-inch stand-alone option to Canon’s current line of multi-function Scan-to-copy/file printer solutions.

Link:

https://www.printingnews.com/wide-format-signage/press-release/21143628/canon-usa-canon-usa-adds-colortrac-sc-42c-xpress-42inch-scanner-to-large-format-offering

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Reprographics Business for Sale – located on Cape Cod, MA (Update)

UPDATE:  THIS BUSINESS HAS BEEN SOLD.  THE DEAL CLOSED ON DEC 31st, 2020.  


IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONSIDERING THE SALE OF YOUR REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY, WOULDN'T HURT TO REACH OUT TO ME >> JOEL SALUS, CPA, joel.salus@mac.com, cell 917-822-4164.


____________________________________________


Reprographics Business for Sale – located on Cape Cod, MA

 

Primary reason for selling:  Retirement!

 

Year established:  1989

 

The company is the only “reprographics” business out on Cape Cod.  (Yes, there are copy/print businesses out on the Cape, but not ones who are devoted to wide-format reprographics.)  

 

-       If you are already in the reprographics business, this is an opportunity to pick up a location in an awesome part of New England.  

 

-       If you work for someone else and have dreamed of someday working for yourself, this is an opportunity to own your own company, control your own destiny.

 

The owners have retained a business broker to assist them with the sale of their company.  With the input of the owners, the business broker has prepared a “Confidential Memorandum” (“CM”) that provides details about the company, including its financial performance and sales metrics.  The CM, updated on September 1st, is ready to go out to parties that express an interest in taking a look at the company.

 

If you want further information about this opportunity, please contact the business broker directly – contact information:

 

-The Business Broker’s name is Adam Bradshaw.  

-Adam works for Nery Corp d/b/a Coastal Business Brokers.  

-Adam’s email address is A.Bradshaw@nerycorp.com (please    “cc” joel.salus@mac.com)

-Adam’s phone number is 508-990-9800