Headquartered in Greeley Colorado, Hensel Phelps Construction is a world-class building services firm specializing in Planning, Building and Management services. It covers a wide spectrum of projects across the U.S. and leads the field in the construction and renovation of commercial, and public sector buildings of all types, from airports to correctional facilities. Its collaborative approach, with proven processes, innovative technology and effective communication, allows the company to deliver exceptional service at every stage.

Remote Printing Delays Building

Like all construction firms, Hensel Phelps relies on accurate plans and drawings to project manage each build effectively. Architectural plans can change on a daily basis and getting hard copies into the hands of builders and subcontractors isn't always easy.

Hensel Phelps works closely with design firms and architects when undertaking any project to ensure the best, most accurate plans are in place prior to - and during - construction. This involves the production of numerous drawings and schemata. Sharing these digitally via the Cloud isn't always straightforward and producing high-quality, large format prints is not always an available option.

"I work in our Southeast District office where we get plans from the design team and then use a variety of sub-contractors as well as our employees to execute the project," explains Maurice Clarke, Virtual Design and Construction Manager, Hensel Phelps. "Key team members have access to our project management system online but we have many jobs that are spread across multiple remote sites where Internet access is not always reliable. That means printed plans are critical to getting the project completed and sharing pertinent information without delay."

The company wanted to find a way to enable reliable onsite large format printing so that plans and revisions could be created immediately to ensure every build would be as efficient as possible. Hensel Phelps Southeast District's technology committee decided to install the HP DesignJet T830 36-in Multifunction Printer to enable truly mobile, large format print production anywhere onsite.

"Everyone needs to be on the same page or construction gets delayed. Missing a single day can cost us tens of thousands of dollars. That means everyone needs access to the latest physical drawings as soon as possible," said Clarke.

A Robust Large-Format Print Platform

Rather than outsourcing or shipping prints Hensel Phelps installed the HP DesignJet T830 printer on a couple of their construction sites in the Southeast district. This device combines high-quality large-format printing with unmatched versatility and mobility. It also includes scanning and copying functionality which is proving to be particularly useful in the field.

"We are constantly making changes and revisions onsite that need to be communicated back to the design team and the sub-contractor community who may need to make further adjustments," says Clarke. "Previously, if possible, we would have a printer in one fixed location onsite but that still required a lot of back and forth and time wasted."

The HP DesignJet T830 printer is a robust printer that can produce up to A0 format prints quickly. Because it is on castors, it can be wheeled or carried easily between locations. Crucial changes to plans can be made in seconds and distributed on paper or online (through email or sending the scanned files to a cloud repository) to all the necessary stakeholders.

"The HP DesignJet T830 printer enables us to scan and print anywhere we choose, which frees up a lot of resources and helps us work more efficiently," adds Clarke. "It is currently sitting in a dusty trailer but that less than ideal environment hasn't affected its performance. Compared to some of the plotting devices we have used in the past, which needed serious effort to move, it's night and day. This machine is truly portable."

Mobility and Versatility at an Affordable Price

The HP DesignJet T830 Printer provides Hensel Phelps with a high-performing print platform, regardless of location. The ability to switch quickly between roll-feed and sheet tray provides onsite flexibility while integrating print, scan and copy functionality into one unit saves on precious space and time.

"On a recent project in Orlando we needed all parties onsite to sign off a coordination drawing and get it back to the design team," says Clarke. "Being able to scan that large format drawing with the signatures right there and have the capability to share it instantly with the designers was a huge advantage."

Hensel Phelps has also been impressed by the user-friendly interface and the ability to use Apple and Android apps to control the device from anywhere: "The interface is a lot easier than typical large format input. The apps are wonderful - even when the printer is in the office, workers onsite can print without having to come back. That makes us more productive and efficient.

"Most importantly, the HP DesignJet T830 printer is not only affordable, it also made each project we used it on more efficient and helps avoid cost overruns.

"It pays for itself just by making sure people have the right information at the right time. If we pour concrete, then the plans change and you have to dig it out, that's $10,000 or more right there," concludes Clarke. "By avoiding that scenario, it quickly returns the original investment. And it's a much more affordable price point than other printers.