Sharply focused vision

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1 Océ at HGA Architects and Engineers Sharply focused vision Océ solutions at HGA Architects and Engineers Innovative architectural and engineering firm creates brighter, greener competitive outlook with large format color and monochrome print systems from Océ. HGA Architects and Engineers Minneapolis, MN office is located in the city s historic warehouse district and is an adaptive reuse of an existing building that dates from the early 1900s. Since its founding in 1953, HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) has chosen to lead, not follow. They have anticipated as well as responded to trends in American business, culture and society. As a full-service integrated architectural and engineering firm, they have consistently developed strong, forward-thinking ideas and intelligent design solutions that are sensitive to the environment for clients in health care, arts/education, corporate and science/ technology sectors. HGA s continued growth with offices in Minneapolis, Rochester, MN, Milwaukee, Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles testifies to its ability to blend passion for design excellence with in-depth understanding of client needs, dreams and business strategies. From its earliest days, HGA has practiced an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach that integrates architecture, engineering, interior design and landscape architecture. An unwavering belief that good design is sustainable, embraced well before sustainability became one of today s favorite buzzwords, has also been a cornerstone of HGA s success. HGA s main entry lobby, and main meeting and gallery space was once the loading dock area of a biscuit factory. Photo (top of page): California State University Northridge Performing Arts Center, LEED Registered, HGA design. May /6

2 were produced on the Océ TCS500. Color is critical to how our clients perceive us and our designs, Thibaudeau noted. We can have great ideas, but the quality of the printing work is really the front door to a positive client experience. We need a high quality product that will leave a lasting impression and help ensure we present strong ideas and quality solutions using media that is consistent with that vision. Jefferson County Health Center in Iowa is a registered Green Guide project. HGA design. The firm s diverse portfolio, which spans projects from state-of-the-art corporate and health care campuses to historic renovations to inviting public spaces and facilities, reflects HGA s expertise in site sensitivity, resource efficiency, energy-saving technologies, conscientious material use and quality indoor spaces. HGA project, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, has received many design and engineering awards including the most recent 2008 Wisconsin Green Building Alliance SE 2 Leadership Award of Excellence. HGA s emphasis on collaboration, teamwork and sustainability extends to its vendor partnerships as well as its client design work. As a result, when HGA began investigating new equipment options for its monochrome and color printing and scanning needs, the firm took a holistic perspective. We weren t simply looking to buy a piece of equipment. We were looking to develop a relationship with a company we wanted to be in business with, who shared similar values, said Patrick Thibaudeau, Vice President at HGA. Print quality colors HGA s client impact Visitors who enter the lobby of HGA s Minneapolis headquarters, located in a refurbished biscuit factory, immediately are drawn to the 60-foot-long wall displaying large color prints of HGA projects, which Large format color prints are therefore an essential element throughout the design process. HGA relies heavily on color prints for presentation boards featuring design images for clients and public meetings, graphic mock-ups, shop drawings and mark-ups for suppliers and contractors. George Parrish, HGA s Manager of Print Services, said, Our color graphic representation needs to be the best it can be because it reflects on us. For years, HGA leased printing equipment through a local facilities management firm. Although that model had worked historically, HGA decided it was time to re-evaluate, for a number of reasons. These included HGA s desire to separate cost tracking from the cost of equipment for client billing purposes, which their current vendor was unable to do, as well as the firm s growth and increasingly demanding print requirements. We needed to HGA takes environmental responsibility seriously, both in the buildings the firm designs and in its internal operations. More than 100, or 25%, of HGA s professional staff members are LEED Accredited Professionals and many more have participated in sustainable design training. The firm is a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a founding sponsor of the local Minnesota USGBC chapter, active in leadership in the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance and a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. A 60-foot long wall displays large color prints of HGA projects. The prints were produced on the Océ TCS500 color inkjet printer. May /6

3 There s no question Océ has the best products and workflow processes. Patrick Thibaudeau, Vice President at HGA Large format color prints are an essential element throughout the design process. consider the best solution for all of our offices and possible future expansion, plus locales around the country where projects were under construction, Thibaudeau said. In addition, HGA wanted to look at the future direction of color printing and usage, and the value of workflow software to help manage the printing process. Forging a productive partnership HGA embarked on an extremely thorough information gathering and analysis process, comparing various options such as leasing, FM arrangements and direct purchase. Thibaudeau identified product, process, partner and price as the key factors that influenced their decision-making. And by price, we meant the best price and value relationship, he said. We didn t want to buy the lowest-priced equipment and have it fall apart or result in low quality output. made Océ HGA s first choice. We wanted to substantiate the anticipated savings and process improvement, Thibaudeau said. In order to provide a comprehensive picture of the difference its equipment could make, Océ installed an Océ TCS400 large format integrated color print, scan and copy system and two large format monochrome multifunction printers an Océ TDS800 and an Océ TDS600 in HGA s Minneapolis office. The equipment performed as promised, convincing HGA that choosing Océ was the right decision. In the four years since that trial, the firm s partnership with Océ has continued to grow stronger while the benefits have multiplied. Between its six offices, HGA now owns five Océ TCS500 machines two large format color printers and three multifunction, two Océ TCS400 large format color printers, one Océ TDS450 color scanner, one Océ TDS800 large format black-and-white high volume production printer, two Océ TDS600 large format black-and-white printers and one Océ VarioPrint 2110 narrow format monochrome printer. With the Océ equipment in place, HGA s color capability, print capacity and overall productivity has increased substantially. It wasn t just replacing equipment, Thibaudeau commented. It changed and improved many elements of our work process. From their earliest interactions, HGA recognized Océ s commitment to helping the firm find solutions. It became quite obvious Océ was interested in partnering. Other companies talked about it but didn t follow through. Océ helped with anything we asked for, Thibaudeau recalled. And there s no question Océ has the best products and workflow processes. Océ projected significant cost savings for HGA over the first five years of ownership, but it was the willingness to install equipment for a trial evaluation period that We weren t simply looking to buy a piece of equipment. We were looking to develop a relationship with a company who shared similar values, said Patrick Thibaudeau, Vice President at HGA. May /6

4 According to George Parrish, Manager of Print Services, the vibrant colors from the Océ TCS500 printer raised client presentations to a new level. A full spectrum of improvements First of all, Océ s vibrant colors raised client presentations to a new level. The colors are more intense than the color from the plotters we had been using, so they give more depth to the renderings, Parrish said. Now, with the Océ TCS500, the color management modes provide users with full control of color output. Thibaudeau pointed out, Everyone has a different opinion on how something should look. With these printers, an individual can control the color to meet particular expectations. In addition, users can select color profiles that meet international standards or generate color output that matches other inkjet devices, assuring consistency across projects produced in any of HGA s six offices. Second, the Océ TCS500 is a perfect match for HGA s high volume, tight deadline color printing requirements. It can concurrently process, print, scan and copy any type of original, whether color, monochrome or a combination. The Océ Power Logic controller processes HGA s large complex files quickly and processes the next file while the current one prints. This minimizes delays and extended waits in the queue, tangible benefits in an environment like HGA s where it s not unusual for employees to need a project turnaround time measured in minutes. The multi-roll capability of the Océ TCS500 saves time and reduces waste by enabling up to three different media types and sizes to be available for HGA designers to select for their prints. This eliminates manual trimming of prints. When new media needs to be added, media rolls can be changed while printing without interrupting production. The ink tanks may also be replaced during production, thereby safeguarding print quality and removing the risk of ruined output caused by consumables depleting mid-print. Thanks to the machines consistent ability to quickly deliver rich, crisp color prints in-house, HGA designers can now take additional time to work on projects to their satisfaction, confident that high quality prints will be ready when they need them. Océ s dynamic switching technology automatically prints images in high quality and lines & text at full speed in the same document. By printing with this equipment, we save time and improve quality. We have something better to show the client, Thibaudeau said. HGA s internal marketing department has also been able to take advantage of much improved in-house color printing capacity and capability with the Océ TCS400 and Océ TCS500, slashing outsourcing costs as well as project turnaround time. Third, the easy-to-use large format color copying capability of the Océ TCS500 enhances the ability of HGA s architects and engineers to communicate clearly and efficiently with contractors and suppliers. Color mark-ups on shop drawings and other plans can be quickly copied with the touch of a button, avoiding the need to manually add color highlights to multiple black-and-white prints. We wanted an overarching solution, and we wanted a business partner who shared our core values. That s what Océ offered us. Patrick Thibaudeau Travis Bay, HGA Print Services, can quickly copy drawings and plans with the touch of a button using the Océ TCS500 scanner. May /6

5 collaborating professionals can instantly view drawings electronically as well as order hard copies online from HGA if they choose. HGA used Océ software to create an in-house and client-accessible online archive of drawings. Last but not least, HGA has been able to generate fewer prints by printing them right the first time, saving time and money. Previously, architects had to print out preliminary drafts of their designs to check for accuracy. Even with this practice, mistakes such as not turning on the correct layers still occurred frequently on supposed final copies. Now architects can view their drawings electronically exactly as they will print and get all necessary approvals before sending the file to be printed. It used to be trial and error, but now they can see it all on their desktop, Parrish said. They also can send a file directly down to the print room without having to create an intermediate file that takes a long time to spool. HGA has also used Océ software to create an in-house and client-accessible online archive of drawings. The ability to electronically view and transfer documents not only minimizes wasted time and paper it also facilitates inter-office, client and contractor communication, reduces shipping expenses and guarantees consistency of results. With a few keystrokes, designers can create a PDF which translates identically to any screen or printer. Prior to installing Océ software, HGA was sending plot files to clients, which created inconsistent print results depending on where the file was printed. Alternatively, designers would have to print hard copies and ship them overnight to clients or to collaborating architects in one of the firm s other offices, losing valuable time and incurring additional expense. Now clients or In addition, the electronic in-house archive enables engineers and architects to quickly and easily view previous and current projects electronically without printing a hard copy. A dual commitment to sustainability Like HGA, Océ was dedicated to environmental responsibility long before it became trendy. Strongly believing that green business is good business, Océ has focused on designing and developing sustainable products, employing environmentally conscious manufacturing and enabling customers to operate in a sustainable manner. We are pleased to be partnered with a print equipment vendor who shares similar core beliefs, Thibaudeau said. Océ s TDS and TCS printers align well with our green operations objectives. With the Océ color equipment, HGA has been able to shrink its carbon footprint because the machines use less energy. The firm wastes less paper thanks to increased usage of electronic document viewing and sharing in place of printing, the ability to print a drawing correctly the first time with Océ s WYSIWYP (What You See Is What You Print) printing functionality, and better matching of the image size to the paper size thanks to multiple print roll capability. Plus, reducing the need to ship multiple hard 'We are pleased to be partnered with a print equipment vendor who shares similar core beliefs and whose printers align well with our green operations objectives, said Patrick Thibaudeau. We have a much cleaner environment in print services now, said George Parrish. copies of prints throughout the country conserves resources. HGA also uses less ink when prints are required because the Océ TCS500 printers print black as a single ink rather than a composite of three colors. HGA also sees a black-and-white difference in green commitment with Océ s monochrome equipment. The Océ TDS450, Océ TDS600 and Océ TDS800 all have earned the EPA s ENERGY STAR designation for energy efficiency, and all print on recycled paper. HGA has signed an ENERGY STAR partner agreement with the EPA so purchasing this equipment is consistent with HGA s commitment to reduced energy use both in its operations and in its building designs, said Thibaudeau. The Océ TDS600 utilizes Océ s Eco Design technology which features low ozone and heat emissions, quiet operation, minimal toner waste and extremely low energy consumption. In addition, Océ s radiant fusing technology eliminates warm-up time and ensures that energy consumption during stand-by time is only a tiny fraction of operating energy. The Océ TDS800, designed to run 8-10 hours daily in high volume environments such as HGA s, requires 4100 watts of energy while printing but drops to 820 watts in low power mode and 495 watts in sleep mode, therefore requiring much less energy than comparable high volume systems. It also incorporates Océ Copy May /6

6 HGA will save as much as 50% over the next five years as a result of purchasing Océ equipment. Press technology, which virtually eliminates toner dust and minimizes ozone emissions. We have a much cleaner environment in print services now, Parrish said. Doing significantly more with substantially less In addition to using energy and other resources responsibly, the high-speed, high-efficiency Océ equipment delivers another important advantage to HGA fewer machines are required for the same workload. A single Océ TDS800 easily handles the workload of the three monochrome copiers it replaced, while two Océ TCS500 color printers now manage the workload previously handled by five competitive inkjet plotters. This ability to do more with less defines the essence of Océ solutions for HGA. Thibaudeau estimates that HGA will save as much as 50% over the next five years as a result of purchasing Océ equipment, for several reasons beyond the direct costs. The equipment uses less energy and creates less waste, operating costs and overhead are lower, and less maintenance and fewer service calls are required. Add to that the expanded and improved color printing quality and capability and the increased efficiency and flexibility the Océ equipment reliably provides, and it becomes crystal clear that HGA has built a sustainable, cost-effective foundation for continued innovation. Without question, the cost savings and productivity gains have brightened HGA s competitive outlook in an increasingly challenging marketplace. Not only has HGA decreased their operating costs, they also have been able to pass on cost savings to clients. HGA is pleased with Océ s ability to meet its current large format printing and scanning needs and equally convinced that Océ is the right partner to help the firm anticipate and handle future needs. We wanted an overarching solution, and we wanted a business partner who shared our core values. That s what Océ offered us, Thibaudeau said. Printing for Professionals Océ helps the people who make our world. Companies everywhere use Océ display graphics printing, high-speed digital printing, technical documentation and professional document systems to keep the wheels of business, industry and government turning. Océ also helps the world. Developing products and services that add value to the printing and document processes of our customers, while minimizing environmental impact and protecting health and safety, has always been one of our core principles. From wide format display graphics to on-demand documents, to bank statements to blueprints, Océ helps our professional customers go Beyond the Ordinary in printing and document management. Océ North America Wide Format Printing Systems 5450 North Cumberland Avenue Chicago, IL USA fax us.info@oce.com For information and services, visit us at: 2009 Océ. Océ, the Océ logo, Océ Power Logic and Océ VarioPrint are registered trademarks of Océ Technologies B.V. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks and are the property of their owners and are respectfully acknowledged. ES /09 KR/CRD