Pulling in the
Plotting purse strings
Saving the company money is one
focus of the CAD Managers function. I think we may be getting
close to reaching the end of dynamic savings generated by
getting better at CAD. Sure, new software tools can save you
time and if you dig deeply into all of the functions that the
new tools provide, you can save large amounts of time. How many
of us end up going back to our old habits and do not gain the
productivity gains promised. The routine things are still going
to be routine. You still have to click two points to draw a
line. You still have to type in the text.
But I think there is one area that can generate cost savings
that a lot of firms overlook. What area would that be? Plotting.
Something you do so much of every day. It might be the biggest
hole in your firms wallet.
It could be the largest area of cost savings and productivity
enhancements that you can make today. I think a lot of firms
have settled into a rut with plotting and are basically ignoring
the fine tuning of this area. Refinement can save you quite a
bit of time and also even earn you some dollars.
One large firm CAD Manager with over 800 seats of CAD began a
plotting review process. Using his numbers as an example of the
saving, provides us with the following:
If you save 1 minute on each plot X 10 plots per day X 5 days a
week X 50 weeks (allowing for vacation time) X 800 seats = you
could save over 33,000 hours per year X $25 per hour (substitute
your hourly labor rate) = you have saved over 3/4 of a million
dollars per year.
WOW! That's some serious cash.
Obviously, your savings may not be on this grand a scale. But do
the quick math and you can see what you might save.
I don't think that plotting headaches will disappear, but with
the proper focus, you could easily save money, increase
productivity and eliminate frustration.
Suggestions:
Focus on several areas:
Eliminate routine step
Automate to reduce mistakes
Reduce User time spent prepping and sending plots
Refine hardcopy handling time - collating, binding, etc
Focus on reducing Plotter downtime and slow plotter speed
Reducing the plotting quantity (many folks plot too often)
Plot avoidance - using on-screen review tools
Define plot sizes for job phase (half size until submittals
or milestones)
Passing plotting cost on to the client
Even some simple refinements in key areas can save
you time. Think thru my list an send me your ideas.
More to come next month.
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