The Challenge

An American multinational and one of the world’s largest coffeehouse chains had ambitious plans for rapid retail expansion across India. But their biggest hurdle wasn’t market demand  it was the buildings themselves.

Every new store site came with outdated, inaccurate as-built drawings. With the project design team based overseas and no way to physically verify site conditions, they were forced to rely on unreliable documentation. This often led to errors, rework, and costly timeline overruns.

Client’s Initial Hurdles

• They were relying on outdated and inconsistent as-built drawings.
• Their overseas design team couldn’t physically visit or verify sites.
• Manual documentation practices didn’t scale across multiple cities.
• There was no visual representation of real-world conditions.
• Lack of insight into existing MEP systems and building constraints.
• They were unfamiliar with BIM tools and digital walkthrough platforms.

Why This Was Critical

Why couldn’t the design team just send someone to verify sites in India?

With the pace of expansion and geographic spread across cities, physically verifying each site was costly and logistically unfeasible. They needed a faster, scalable solution.

What’s the risk of using outdated drawings?

Outdated as-builts often meant design mismatches during construction, triggering costly rework, wasted materials, and delays that could push store launches back by weeks.

Why wasn’t manual documentation enough?

Manual methods were inconsistent and prone to human error. Plus, they didn’t provide the rich, navigable context that digital data offers for remote teams.

What impact did this have on the overall project?

It was affecting both speed and budget. Delays in site understanding led to late-stage design changes, adding pressure on both execution timelines and construction costs.

Gaps in Existing Information

• Outdated as-built drawings with no consistency
• Zero visual access to real-world site conditions
• No documentation of current MEP systems or landlord-imposed constraints
• No way for remote teams to virtually assess a site.

Why Specific Requirements Mattered

To avoid delays and cost overruns, the client needed:

• High-accuracy as-built models and drawings
• A digital way to "walk" through a site from overseas
• Insight into existing mechanical/electrical systems and building conditions.

Actionable data that could inform design decisions fast

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The Desapex Solution

Desapex combined laser scanning and BIM workflows to digitize and streamline every project site:

• Laser Scanning: Captured site details with Leica scanners, processed via Recap Pro and Cyclone Register 360.
• Site Assessments: Conducted due diligence covering MEP systems, structure, and regulations.
• BIM Models & Drawings: Delivered accurate 3D models and 2D drawings using Revit and Navisworks.
• 360° Walkthroughs: Enabled remote site exploration with Leica Tru View.
• Client Onboarding: Provided training and user manuals for easy BIM adoption.

Project Timeline & Milestones

Each store averaged around 2000 sq. ft., and our rapid delivery model looked like this:

• • Day 1: Laser scanning and technical due diligence
  • Day 2–5: Processing, modeling, and compiling deliverables (As-built BIM models, Site walkthroughs, Technical reports, Rendered visuals and CAD drawings)

Software & Technology Used

• Cyclone Register 360
• Autodesk Revit 2021
• Autodesk Recap Pro
• Leica TruView 22
• Revu Bluebeam

The Real Business Value Delivered

• Precision at Scale: The client now had a replicable, accurate, and digital-first approach to every store rollout  with no surprises during construction.
• Time Saved: With verified site data and visuals, the design team could immediately begin layout planning, bypassing weeks of back-and-forth coordination.
• Better Space Utilization: Designers created efficient layouts based on real-world spatial data, enhancing store functionality and aesthetics.
• Client Confidence: For a team used to manual processes, the smooth transition to digital workflows was a game-changer, thanks to Desapex's onboarding and support.

What This Means for Future Projects

This project didn’t just solve a challenge  it set a new standard. For a global brand expanding across a diverse country like India, Desapex enabled a repeatable, digital-first approach to every new store.

What began with outdated drawings is now a streamlined process powered by accurate models, immersive walkthroughs, and clear technical insights. The client’s design team no longer deals with guesswork or delays  whether designing in Bengaluru or Vijayawada, they start with data they can trust.

More than just technology, this transformation is about confidence. Desapex delivered a scalable workflow that reduces risk, saves time, and improves design quality  building a foundation the client can grow on, store by store.