
Case Study: Scanning & Georeferencing Large Engineering Documents for the City of Poway
Case Study: Scanning & Geo-referencing Large Engineering Documents for the City of Poway

Project Overview
The City of Poway, in collaboration with a GIS solutions provider, needed a more efficient way to manage and retrieve thousands of engineering drawings related to municipal works and street improvements. The traditional process of searching through physical documents was time-consuming, costly, and inefficient.
Our task was to scan and digitize these large-format engineering drawings, extract key data for indexing, and geo-reference them to a GIS mapping system, allowing city engineers and planners to instantly access relevant plans by selecting a location on a map.
The Challenge: Paper-Based Drawings & Manual Search Issues
π Thousands of engineering drawings were stored in large physical archives, making retrieval slow and inefficient.
π Engineers had to manually search through paper files, leading to delays in municipal projects.
π There was no digital index or geospatial reference, making it difficult to link drawings to actual street locations.
π The city required a cost-effective digital solution that could integrate seamlessly with their GIS mapping system.
Our Solution: Scanning, Indexing & Geo-referencing for GIS Integration
To address these challenges, we provided a comprehensive document scanning and geo-referencing solution, moving the city from manual paper searches to a fully searchable GIS-integrated system.
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High-Resolution Large-Format Scanning β We scanned thousands of engineering drawings into precise, high-quality PDFs, ensuring clear visibility of technical details.
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Data Extraction & Indexing β Key metadata was extracted from each drawing and compiled into a structured database, including:
Drawing Title
Drawing Number
Sheet Number
Plan Date
Street Name
Plan Type
β Spreadsheet-Based Data Organization β The extracted data was compiled into a structured spreadsheet, enabling seamless reference and integration with GIS software.
β Geo-referencing the Drawings β Each engineering drawing was assigned a spatial reference, allowing it to be precisely linked to its corresponding geographic location.
β GIS System Integration β The GIS provider integrated the indexed and georeferenced drawings into a digital map, allowing city officials to:Click on a street or project area on the GIS map
Instantly view all associated engineering drawings and plans
The Results: Time & Cost Savings for Municipal Planning
π Instant Drawing Retrieval β City engineers can now access any engineering plan in seconds using the GIS system.
π Geospatial Reference for Accuracy β Engineering drawings are now linked to real-world coordinates, improving accuracy and usability.
π Significant Cost Reduction β The city reduced expenses related to physical storage, document retrieval, and project delays.
π Better Collaboration Across Departments β City engineers, planners, and project managers can now easily access and share plans from any location.
Conclusion: A Smarter, More Efficient Document Management System
By scanning, indexing, and geo-referencing thousands of engineering drawings, we helped the City of Poway modernize its municipal works program. This time-saving, cost-efficient solution has improved project workflows, increased accessibility, and enhanced urban planning efforts.
π Need to digitize and geo-reference large engineering documents? Letβs discuss how we can help modernize your document management system!