New ADA sign planning tool

[Planqix]

I’ve been working on a new tool called Planqix for creating sign location plans, message schedules, and takeoffs for client reviews.

It originally started as a project to make my own workflow easier, but it has grown into something I think could be useful to other sign companies as well. I’m at the point now where I’d really like to have a few people try it out and give honest feedback.

The app is available at www.planqix.com. You can create a free account with just an email address. After signing up, send me a message and I’ll be happy to activate a trial for you.

There is also a free trial available directly through the website, but that option runs through Stripe and requires a payment method. I’m not trying to trick anyone into signing up, so if you’d rather avoid entering payment information, just message me after creating an account and I can activate the trial manually.

My main goal right now is feedback. I’d really appreciate hearing what works, what doesn’t, what feels confusing, and what features would make it more useful in a real sign shop workflow.

I’m trying to build something genuinely helpful for sign companies at a fair price, and feedback from people in the industry would be extremely valuable.

Thanks, and I’d appreciate anyone willing to take a look.

 

[lenard912]

Looks interesting. A few honest questions.

How does this compare to just using Excel plus a PDF markup tool? What specific pain point does it solve that a spreadsheet cannot? Also, does it handle ADA height and spacing rules automatically or do I still need to check each line manually?

 

[Planqix]

Looks interesting. A few honest questions.

How does this compare to just using Excel plus a PDF markup tool? What specific pain point does it solve that a spreadsheet cannot? Also, does it handle ADA height and spacing rules automatically or do I still need to check each line manually?

Those are great questions. The biggest improvement over Excel and a PDF tool is it allows you to show the floor plan, the location, and what the sign will look like all on one screen at the same time. My biggest goal was to try and make the review process simpler, I have lost count of how much time I have spent walking clients through a spreadsheet, a floor plan with markups, and a set of drawings explaining how the three different documents work together. As for the ADA height and spacing it outputs each message with its braille in the correct size with the correct spacing. Currently it is still meant to be copied into a design program for the final drawings, my goal is to simplify going from a message schedule to a shop drawing without needing any added software in between. I have set up a couple example projects if you would like to see what this can do without having to spend a lot of time figuring out how to use it.

 

[Broome Signs]

count me in I would love to test it out, way finding maps and sign location is one of most time consuming parts of walking a building

 

[StarSign]

I will see if my designers want to give it a try.

 

[Moze]

Are there any advantages to this over SignAgent?

 

[Planqix]

count me in I would love to test it out, way finding maps and sign location is one of most time consuming parts of walking a building

If you want to register an account on Planqix.com I can go ahead and activate the trial for you. You only need a working email address to make an account.

 

[Planqix]

Are there any advantages to this over SignAgent?

Another great question. I have never used SignAgent, so I can’t give a direct comparison, but the biggest advantage right now is cost. I started working on this because I wanted a tool like SignAgent, but couldn’t justify the amount they charge, so I started building this. The other big advantage is that you are getting in early and can help shape a piece of software to what you need. It works great for me, and now I’m looking for input so it works great for others as well. With that being said if you currently use SignAgent, and you’re happy with it and don’t mind the cost, you probably wouldn’t feel like my program is an improvement. I would still love to offer a trial to you and hear how it compares, and how it could be improved.