Building documentation and drawings stored in binders and boxes? Canon and Findable are now collaborating to digitize and organize everything into a searchable system for you, using artificial intelligence.
Valuable documentation: Canon and Findable have so far ensured that nearly 100,000 documents have been digitized and organized using artificial intelligence. From left: Morten Stang-Medhus (Product Manager at Canon Norway), Stig Bergsjø (Business Developer at Findable), Fredrik Wisløff (CEO of Findable), and Simen Teigen (DS Service Manager at Canon Norway).
“We worked for a property owner who had many binders filled with papers and wondered what on earth they should do with them,” says Stig Bergsjø of Findable.
Findable is a Norwegian startup that uses artificial intelligence to automatically sort and provide a comprehensive overview of all building documentation. Property owners can verify that everything complies with laws and regulations while synchronizing it with their existing systems.
“Most FDV documentation is already digital by the time we come in to organize it. However, there is still surprisingly much in physical form,” explains Bergsjø.
The startup initially lacked a good solution for handling physical documents.
From Paper to AI
“Findable reached out to us to understand how we handle scanning and digitizing physical papers. They had very interesting software for FDV documentation,” says Simen Teigen, DS Service Manager at Canon Norway.
The collaboration was established, making the process straightforward for property owners: an approximate number of pallets of documentation are arranged for pickup and then sent to Canon for scanning.
“Our solution recognizes the documents, names them, and sorts them according to the building component table. Once this is done, the property owner also gains full control over compliance for the buildings and can see what might be missing,” explains Bergsjø.
“The client ends up with documentation that we can integrate into their existing FDV solutions. This is synchronized with other tools, is searchable, and easy to update with new documentation,” adds Bergsjø.
The large international player quickly became confident in the startup.
“We are focused on delivering structured, well-thought-out, and functional solutions to our clients. We were quickly assured of Findable’s capabilities. Their solution works, is fast, and highly accurate,” says Teigen.
A Good Starting Point
Both parties note that they often encounter clients who want to digitize but are unsure where to begin.
“Now we can unlock all the value in the information organizations already possess. Eliminating physical paper and making it accessible and functional is a great place to start,” Teigen believes.
Saving time on document retrieval, anticipating maintenance, and maintaining compliance with laws and regulations are highlighted as key benefits.
“This isn’t just a way to start digitalizing; it provides immediate real value,” Teigen adds.
“With the digitization of FDV documentation, it becomes easy for the client to see the value. Having the documentation available, structured, and searchable has a very tangible effect and value,” he explains.
Since the start of the collaboration, the two parties have ensured that nearly 100,000 physical documents have been scanned and organized.
Keeping Up with the Times
The pace of technological advancement has never been faster. Canon and Findable see that the real estate industry must keep up.
“Otherwise, you’ll be outcompeted,” says Teigen.
He also points out the importance of avoiding the need to redo a digitization project by 2026.
“Together with Findable, we deliver a solution that stands the test of time. That’s crucial for us,” Teigen emphasizes.
The startup is also pleased with its new partner.
“You can certainly choose to do the scanning yourself, but our clients’ core business is building management. This involves very important documents. Canon is a reliable and stable player that delivers quality,” says Bergsjø.
