CPlans.com E plan room

CPlans.com E plan room is a password-protected repository of digital construction document images that can be accessed via the Internet using Internet Explorer or any other web browser. The system allows for different levels of access and control by different classes of users based on their user name and password. The plan room software also allows for automatic E-mail notification of authorized users when any changes are made to documents in the plan room, and logs all activity of authorized users in the plan room.

How does it work?

The CPlans.com E plan room is accessible via Internet Explorer or any other web browser, with no other software or downloads required. Performance is excellent when using a high-speed data line, yet allows users to access their drawing archive with a dial-up modem. Drawings are posted in tiff format, so that they are available for viewing by either PC or Mac users. Specifications can be posted in Adobe pdf format for universal access.

All access is password protected so that plan room documents are secure, and user activity is automatically monitored and recorded in an Access Log. For each user, authorized access to folders and files can be set at different levels for different documents. The range of access can be limited to as little as viewing only a single page of a set of drawings, or as extensive as viewing entire plan and spec sets. Users simply do not see folders and/or files for which they are not authorized access, nor do they see buttons that provide functions they are not authorized to perform.

How secure is the Plan Room?

CPlans.com virtual plan room provides high levels of security. It uses native Windows NT authentication and security to provide unparalleled protection against unauthorized access. Entrance to the CPlans.com E plan room is by user name and password only. User names also determine access rights to folders and files for each user admitted to the plan room. The system is virus protected and has multiple levels of backup for data security. An Access Log tracks all activities of each user in the Plan Room providing a detailed list of times, dates, and actions for each user and each folder.

What are the benefits of the CPlans.com?

• No software to buy or install
• Easy to use
• Secure access to your documents anytime, anywhere you have a web browser
• View without download via Thin Client Technology (images can be browsed without downloading for fast viewing)
• Supports raster format TIFF files for drawing integrity and easy viewing.
• Provides a central point to access drawings.

CPlans.com E plan room provides an efficient method of information exchange and distribution since anyone with an Internet connection can have authorized access by the administrator. Construction documents are posted in the plan room so any general user can view and order plan sets from Valley Blueprint or any of their network of print partners around the country. Bid set distribution, for example, can be accomplished electronically in a day, with hardcopy printed and delivered locally to your contractors instead of sending them by overnight courier. When the Plan Room is used throughout the construction cycle, consultants and subcontractors in remote locations can also be granted access to the Plan Room to review current documents and order prints through Valley Blueprint or their print partners.

Collaborative efforts among architects, owners, general contractors and consultants in different locations can benefit from document sharing through the CPlans.com E plan room. The architect, for example, can send revised drawings as soon as they are approved, which are then available for review and order by other project partners once they are posted by our staff. The automatic E-mail notification system facilitates immediate contact of all interested parties whenever changes are made to document sets.

As a collaborative tool, the CPlans.com E plan room offers advantages over E-mail exchanges of information, since it operates in real time, much like a wide area network. New users can be added as necessary, so that a consultant or subcontractor can quickly gain access to the information they require, without the need for compiling E-mail documents.

Why should I use CPlans.com virtual plan room for my document storage?

CPlans.com E plan room is a secure hosting center that allows you to search, retrieve, and view your documents. You have instant access to your documents any time or place you have access to a web browser.

In addition, CPlans.com allows you to outsource your large format scanning, converting, document managing and printing needs to our Service Center resulting in more focused productivity from your employees in their areas of expertise.

How can CPlans.com help me with emergency preparedness?

Be Prepared! Use CPlans.com E plan room to Manage As-built Drawings.

The management of as-built drawings has become increasingly important since the events of September 11th . As-built drawings are marked up paper drawings that represent the way the building was actually built. In most instances, these paper drawings are stored inside the building itself, and may not be readily available in the event of an emergency requiring building evacuation. Emergency preparedness demands that these drawings be immediately available to emergency personnel.

By using CPlans.com E plan room to store and manage your as-built drawings, you can provide local, state or Federal government access to your building documents in an emergency, via the Internet. CPlans.com E plan room uses thin client technology, so emergency personnel can view drawings without downloading the entire file, anywhere they have a web browser.

Can I use CPlans.com for back-up storage of my documents?

Off-site storage of digital documents is an important component of disaster recovery. The events of September 11th have highlighted the need for quick, easy access to important documents in the event that your in-house server is rendered inoperable. Store all of your important large format drawings and office documents in a your own private back-up area on CPlans.com E plan room, or have them scanned and indexed to a CPlans CD Rom for your permanent records.

How Does the CPlans.com E plan room Work?

CPlans.com archives scanned plans and makes them available on line in the virtual plan room. Subcontractors can view the drawings anytime, anywhere they have a web browser. Zoom features allow them to move around in the drawing and view whichever area interests them. Then, if they want to bid on the project, they can order plans on line and have them shipped to them, or pick them up in person. Contractors save money by printing only the bid sets that will be used. Subcontractors save time by having the convenience of on-line viewing and ordering.

How can CPlans.com help me scan, host and manage my facilities drawings?

Our Service Bureau will scan your paper drawings and upload them to the CPlans.com E plan room server. We manage your drawings and technical documents in a searchable database. You view your information anytime, anywhere you have a web browser. CPlans.com supports repositories of large format documents such as engineering and architectural drawings, maps, and photographs. With CPlans.com , construction/property management firms can provide their customers access to their building documents via the Internet with applications for image viewing, as well as ordering sets. The information can also be transferred to a CPlans CD Rom for a permanent, portable record of their property.

Do I need a plug in to view my images?

No, web users can view images regardless of size, dimension, density, color model, and resolution over a standard modem connection and images can be browsed without downloading them to the web client.

What file formats does CPlans.com E plan room support?

The viewing application supports over 150 file formats including TIFF, CALS IV, PhotoShop, JPEG, JPEG2000, PCX, and BMP and various CAD file formats. For security reasons, we have standardized on TIFF format for architectural drawings and either TIFF or JPEG for photographs. With only an Internet browser, your employees and customers can search and sort by drawing number or name, latest revision, revision date, or system date.

How do I get my documents onto CPlans.com E plan room?

Large and small format images and documents are scanned or converted and multi-field indexed for you at Valley Blueprint, our Service Bureau. Once the documents have been digitally indexed and archived, your employees and customers with the appropriate user rights can query, retrieve, view, pan, and zoom your plans. Your subcontractors or satellite offices will be able to access your plans and more easily collaborate on projects.

Since users requesting documents are only viewing, CPlans.com eliminates the per seat cost of a software package. Users can pull up a drawing, blue print, map, poster, or a document on the Web and view it without having the software required for that particular file format. Also, file size and bandwidth are not issues because of the use of Cplan.com virtual plan room’s Thin-Client Computing Technology. Everything is viewed directly from the server.

Can I print on demand?

CPlans.com can give you the ability to provide print on demand at your location on one of our KIP printers. This will eliminate delivery charges and the time associated for you or the customer to have your drawings delivered to your office.

How do I get started on CPlans.com?

1. Set Up an Account with Valley Blueprint

2. Make it DIGITAL

Once you have signed up for an account, all of your documents must be converted to digital format. Valley Blueprint’s Service Bureau is located at 4080 W. Desert Inn Rd. where qualified and courteous professionals are here to serve you and carefully work with your documents. We can either scan your hard copies, or convert your digital files to TIFF format. The files will be 400 DPI with correct pen settings and exact sizing. This care in conversion is a trademark at Valley Blueprint, and assures that your files will be printed correctly, by any printer, anywhere.

3. Get the plans to us!

Members can choose one of three easy ways to put documents online:

a) You can send hard copies of your documents to our Service Bureau. Qualified experts will scan your documents, multi-field index , archive, and upload them into your private, password protected account.

b) You can mail us your documents in digital format, on a CD-ROM or Zip disk, for example, ready to be put on “the system”. CPlans.com E plan room’s server is capable of multi-field indexing existing digital files.

c) You can upload your documents to us directly through E-mail for conversion and indexing to “the system”.

4. Manage

You and your authorized work groups will be able to increase workflow through online project management. Team members across the country and around the globe will have instant access to important documents through any internet connection. Cut project time and wasted resources by soft-proofing digital images and allowing all team members to finalize work before printing.