Ditch the paper: How Nexus Connected Worker is transforming cabinet shops

In many cabinet shops, printed job packets and clipboards are still the default. For years, these paper-based travellers were the only way to move information from design to production. But today, they’re holding teams back. In an industry driven by custom jobs, short lead times, and high expectations for quality, paper processes cause more problems than they solve.

Mistakes happen when paperwork goes missing or isn’t updated. Operators waste time hunting down cut lists. Managers have little visibility into where a job stands on the floor. These inefficiencies add up—costing time, money, and customer trust.

It’s time for something better. That’s why Nexus Connected Worker, purpose-built for CABINET VISION users, developed the Paperless Traveller. It’s a digital alternative that replaces those paper stacks with streamlined, real-time information available on any connected device.

The trouble with paper

Paper may seem simple, but it’s anything but efficient. Printed job packets are often outdated as soon as they hit the production floor. Changes made in the office don’t always reach operators. That leads to rework, delays, and missed deadlines. And when things go wrong, it’s hard to know what happened—or why.

Paper-based workflows can consume up to 3% of a company’s revenue once you factor in the costs of printing, handling, storage, and errors. The average shopfloor worker burns through 10,000 sheets of paper annually. Not only is that wasteful, but it’s also expensive and unsustainable.

What’s more, in today’s digital world, most employees expect better tools. They don’t want to work with outdated technology or rely on a stack of printouts that might be incomplete or incorrect. A paperless solution meets that need while delivering measurable value back to the business and ultimately the end customer.

What is the Paperless Traveller?

The CABINET VISION Paperless Traveller is a digital job packet that lives in the cloud. It gets its data directly from CABINET VISION and makes it available on any device—whether that’s a tablet, smartphone, or workstation on the shopfloor, in the office, or on the road. Operators can see everything they need in one place: cut lists, images, job specs, part tracking, and recut instructions. And because the system is cloud-based, everything is always up to date.

Managers can track job progress in real time, spot bottlenecks early, and make informed decisions based on accurate data—not assumptions or outdated paperwork. Operators can record their actions and flag issues on the spot, ensuring full traceability without adding complexity.

The Paperless Traveller supports defect recut processes, provides instant access to updated drawings, and makes communication between the office and the floor faster and more reliable. Most importantly, it’s designed for the way cabinet shops actually work. No complicated installs, no clunky interfaces—just a smart, simple way to get the job done.

Real results, tangible gains

Going digital isn’t just a trend—it’s delivering serious returns. Manufacturers who adopt paperless systems report big improvements in productivity, accuracy, and turnaround times.

In fact, according to Dr. Asif Rana, President of Nexus Connected Worker at Hexagon, “Nexus Connected Worker has been shown to increase the productivity of a manufacturing operation by more than 20% on average through the digitalisation of manufacturing processes and real-time access to critical information.”

That kind of improvement doesn’t just make life easier on the floor—it improves profitability, customer satisfaction, and overall shop performance. And it happens fast, with minimal disruption to existing workflows.

A clear and simple user interface makes this application easy to use

Designed for Cabinet Makers

Unlike generic manufacturing tools, the Paperless Traveller is built specifically for cabinet and closet shops using CABINET VISION. It integrates directly with your existing system, utilising your data without the need for double entry or manual uploads. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and doesn’t require a Windows machine to run.

That means it works the way your shop works—adapting to your needs instead of forcing a full systems overhaul. It’s quick to set up, easy to learn, and simple to scale as your business grows.

Why digital is the future of the shopfloor

The woodworking industry is evolving. The U.S. woodworking sector alone generates more than $12 billion annually, with a growing share of that revenue coming from custom and small-batch production. These shops can’t afford inefficiencies. They need tools that keep them agile, responsive, and in control.

Paperless systems are helping them get there. They reduce the risks associated with human error, streamline communication between departments, and help frontline workers perform their best. And with rising labor costs and tight schedules, the ability to work smarter—not just harder—is more valuable than ever.

A smarter, simpler way to work

The CABINET VISION Paperless Traveller is more than a software tool. It’s a step toward a more connected, more capable shopfloor. It helps shop managers keep jobs on track. It gives operators confidence that they’re working with the right information. It removes the guesswork that too often leads to delays and waste.

And most importantly, it’s not disruptive. You don’t need to overhaul your systems or train your team on complex new platforms. It is available in CABINET VISION and works on devices you likely already have.

This is technology that fits your shop—not the other way around.

If you’re still relying on printouts, handwritten notes, and clipboards, it’s time to take a hard look at how much that’s costing you. The Nexus Connected Worker Paperless Traveller gives you a smarter way to manage your jobs, empower your team, and stay ahead of the curve.

It is about giving workers the tools they need to do their best work, every day.

 

Author

  • Dr. Asif Rana serves as the President of Nexus Connected Worker within Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division. In this role, he is responsible for leading and growing a dynamic and agile organization delivering scalable, enterprise-grade SaaS products tailored for the smart manufacturing market. Asif played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for Hexagon's digital transformation platform, now recognized as Xalt. With a career spanning over two decades, Asif has been at the forefront of leading a multitude of technology and business initiatives in precision metrology, IoT sensors, enterprise integration, and the implementation of mission-critical digital solutions for frontline workers. Asif holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and an MBA. He’s been with Hexagon since 2007.

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