Bridging the Gap: A Practical Workflow Between Volanti Digital Plan Tables, Mobile Devices, and Paper Plans
How to keep everyone on the same page—literally and digitally—throughout the seven-stage Plan Workflow.
1. Why a Multi-Surface Workflow Matters
Even in the most advanced projects, teams still juggle large-format printed plans, tablets in the field, and high-resolution digital plan tables in the office trailer or war room. When these "surfaces" fail to speak to one another, errors creep in, time is lost, and change orders multiply. A deliberate workflow that links each surface ensures that a markup made on the Volanti plan table in the trailer appears on a superintendent’s iPad minutes later, and that the paper set pinned to the wall carries the same revision.
2. The Volanti Plan Table as the Central Hub
Volanti’s 43", 55", and 65" touchscreen tables act as a communal “single source of truth.” They display the master set, host design reviews, and capture redlines with fingertip or stylus. Because the hardware is purpose-built for the AEC environment, rugged casters, lift-tilt stands, and 4K panels, teams gather naturally around it to coordinate work.
Key features that make the table an effective hub:
- True finger, glove, stylus friendly multi-touch for on-site use;
- Built-in compute or thin-client flexibility depending on IT policy;
- Optional QR/NFC scanner so paper sheets pull up the matching digital sheet instantly;
3. Typical Cross-Surface Workflow Scenarios
| Scenario | Table → Mobile | Table → Paper | Mobile ↔ Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schematic Design review | Architects work on plan table, then push marked PDF to cloud. Field engineers sync to iPad for offline access. | Print latest set after review with auto-generated QR in title block. | Engineer scans QR on paper to open the same sheet on tablet for geo-tagged photos. |
| Construction & Field Revisions | Superintendent sketches change on tablet, uploads to cloud, table auto-refreshes in trailer. | When a change is accepted, new revision code is embedded in next print run. | Foreman sketches on paper, captures with phone camera, uploads for designer review. |
| Operations & Maintenance hand-off | Final as-built set compiled on table, exported to owner’s facility-management system. | QR codes remain for life-of-building look-up. | Maintenance staff scan QR on equipment tag to pull up sheet on mobile. |
(Aligns with stages 2-7 of the Plan Workflow; Concept & Feasibility often happens before hardware deployment.)
4. Tools and Techniques to Keep Everything in Sync
-
Cloud storage with version control
- Bluebeam Studio, Autodesk Docs, or Trimble Connect keep a full audit trail.
-
Smart identifiers on every sheet
- QR or Data Matrix codes generated at print time link to the exact PDF, revision, and location on the plan table.
-
Field-ready mobile apps
- Apps that support offline markups with automatic sync once online (e.g., Revu for iPad, PlanGrid).
-
Automated notifications
- When a revision is published from the Volanti table, push alerts go to role-based groups so nobody works from an outdated set.
-
Hardware hand-offs
- USB-C screen sharing lets a subcontractor plug a laptop into the table for a quick demo without breaking the master display session.
5. Best Practices Across the Seven Stages
| Stage | Cross-Surface Tip |
|---|---|
| Concept & Feasibility | Keep early sketches tagged by project code so later references auto-load on any device. |
| Schematic Design | Use the table for multidisciplinary coordination reviews; export a “single-line” PDF for mobile carry-along. |
| Design Development | Lock down naming conventions: sheet numbers become your QR payload. |
| Construction Documents | Automate sheet issuance so each print run embeds a unique revision ID. |
| Procurement / Pre-Construction | Vendor submittals reviewed on the table can embed hyperlinks to spec sections for mobile pick-up. |
| Construction & Field Revisions | Require field markups to originate on mobile or paper but close the loop on the table before end of day. |
| Operations & Maintenance | Archive the final model and sheets; maintain active QR look-ups for replacement cycles. |
6. Implementation Checklist
- Select a cloud repository and enforce folder hierarchy.
- Configure Volanti table’s QR/NFC scanner.
- Standardize a sheet template with QR code field.
- Train field staff to sync devices daily.
- Pilot with one trade package before full rollout.
7. Measuring Success
- Revision latency: time from markup to field visibility
- Rework incidents: track before and after implementation
- User adoption: table session counts versus paper print volume
Lower latency and fewer reprints are early indicators that your cross-surface workflow is paying off.
Ready to Experience the Workflow First-Hand?
Schedule a live demo of a Volanti plan table connected to your current cloud platform. We’ll walk through the exact mobile and paper integrations outlined above.
Volanti Displays—bringing clarity to every stage of the Plan Workflow.