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Who We Are

The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:

1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.

2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.

3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.

Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (less than 10 employees), which equates to 14,459 small firms within the organization.

~26.8% = sole practitioners = 5,173

~33.5% = 1-5 employees = 6,459

~14.7% = 5-10 employees = 2,827

For context, small firms share of staff is 16.0% and share of billings is 12.0%

We need to find ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do.

   

  

  • 1.  Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-24-2012 02:13 PM
    Looking for some advice re: purchase of a printer.  We are a small firm (recent startup - just passed 2 years in business) and looking for a quality printer that can handle 11x17 format.  Cost and Print Quality are factors although our volume of printing is low.  Any Recommendations? what's worked - what should we stay away from?

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    Carl Dress AIA
    Principal
    Heritage Design Collaborative
    Philadelphia PA
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  • 2.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-24-2012 03:03 PM
    I use a Brother MFC6490 multifunction printer scanner fax copier for that size. It's cheap enough that I won't be disappointed when it finally fails. I've had it for two and a half years. ------------------------------------------- David Del Vecchio AIA Architect David Del Vecchio, Architect, LLC Cranford NJ -------------------------------------------
    Original Message


  • 3.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-25-2012 11:11 AM
    I've been using an HP Business Inkjet 2800 for 11x17, legal and 8-1/2x11.  It also duplexes for pamphlets and brochure pages.  Excellent quality.  HP should stay out of the computer business and stick to what they are really good at: printers.  I think I paid about $1k about 4 years ago.  Still going strong, like most HP printers.

    -------------------------------------------
    Rand Soellner AIA
    Architect/Owner/Principal
    Home Architects
    Cashiers NC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-26-2012 05:15 PM
    Carl,

    We use an HP 8500 All-In-One, but it only does up to 8-1/2" x 14".  It's been more durable than previous printers and uses far less ink cartridges (Consumer Reports was right), which saves us a ton of money in the long run.  It cost us around $300 new, so initial cost was also very affordable.  I'll get an HP that does 11" x 17" next time (if they make one).

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    Adam Trott AIA
    Adam J. Trott Architect
    Erie PA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-27-2012 10:51 AM
    We purchased a used HP 9050 MFP ($1,500 with sorter and stapler) that not only prints 11 x 17 but will fax and scan for us.  This has been a great investment as we have consolodated several machines into one....it is large, but is a workhorse.  We prepare 11x17 sets for city submittal as well as check sets for internal review.  The scanning feature is very helpful too as it scans to a network folder that all can access.  It also is our fax machine.

    We are a small office of 6 people and have been very happy with it. 

    -------------------------------------------
    Patrick Allen Assoc. AIA
    Principal
    Gabor + Allen (Design Build Landscape)
    Hawthorne CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-27-2012 12:39 PM
    Carl,
    I use a Brother MFC-6490CW and I love it.  The cost was only $300- $400 at Office Depot and they sell the ink too. I hand sketch with color and I can scan it and send it to clients in PDF or JPEG format and of course, save in my files.  The print quality is great - Photo quality in 11" x 17" color or back and white. It is not for volume printing but is great for an individual desk top printer, (scan, multiple copy  and  FAX ). Yes the ink is expensive - I spend about $50 per every other month but It is worth it.  It has lasted me 4.5 years without any problems . I thought if it broke -  for $400 I can get a new one.

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    David Fisher AIA
    Principal
    Fisher Architects
    Gig Harbor WA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-25-2012 11:15 AM
    We have three of the Brother MFC model printers and we love them. The have been very reliable and for the money unbeatable. ------------------------------------------- David Reed AIA Tulsa OK -------------------------------------------
    Original Message


  • 8.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-25-2012 04:57 PM
    I use the Brother MFC-J6710DW because of the 11x17 feature. It can be cranky, but it's pretty fast and the quality is good. I would use HP if not for the 11x17 paper format.

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    Roberta Jorgensen FAIA
    Communitas
    Newport Beach CA
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE:Small Business Printers

    Posted 09-28-2012 08:31 AM
    Hi Carl,
    we have 2 printers that we use the most.
    The Brother MFC7840W is an all in one fax, b/w printer, copier and scanner.  It scans in color up to 8 1/2 x 14" and works really well.  In the past 5 years it needed one drum cartridge (about $100) and a high output toner cartridge (about $50) lasts around 10 months.  For reference we buy 3 cases of paper per year.
    One annoying issue is needed to hit the 'copy' button before you program number of pages, collating,etc.  The default is for 'fax' function.  Another mildly annoying issue is only being able to scan up to 8 1/2" x 14" sheets.  We will a fair bit of 11x17 quickie hand sketches, mounting them to board to photograph them outside to get a .jpg doesn't always work depending on the weather.  So, we've started cutting the 11x17 in half, just so it can be scanned, and then digitally 'glue' the image pack together.  (ok... I think I have an old-school mentality)
    I think it cost $400 or so, and I paid our IT guy $100 to program it to the network. it is pretty helpful that you can scan from the machine and sent it to whomever's desk top you need to - all the names show up on the scroll thru screen on the printer.

    The HP photomart 8750 is WOW beautiful printing.  Handles all sorts of paper stock from 4x6 to 11x17 from draft quality mini sets to knock your sox off premium archive photo paper.  It does a GREAT job of printing the 11x17 drawings which were cut apart, scanned and digitally 'glued' back together too.  It bought it locally for $500 (store price was $650 or so, but I shopped online, was planning on ordering but stopped at store, they had it and matched the internet printout... lucky day for me).  Ink cartridges cost $30-50 depending on if it's the standard ink or the 'photo premium' ink.  It also has a slot to print directly from memory chips.

    These two machines work very well together, and I do like having some sort of 'reducdancy' so if we (stupidly) run out of ink, we have a good alternative/backup.

    Let us know what you decide!

    -------------------------------------------
    Lisa Stacholy
    President
    LKS Architects, Inc.
    Dunwoody GA
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    Original Message