Great universities, corporations, hospitals, and theme parks eventually sprawl to occupy massive physical spaces. That growth is the dream, but multi-building complexes present navigation challenges that can sour the experience for users. Before looking at how indoor mapping software can help people and assets get around, it helps to understand those challenges.
Challenges of Multi-Building Complexes
Multi-building complexes are usually not organized in an orderly way, which confuses anyone trying to move from point A to point B. Confusing routes make it harder for people moving heavy equipment, and signage is sometimes missing. When signage is available, it may be inaccessible to people with visual impairments.
Distances within these complexes can be long, and some buildings have long, winding stairs that are tough for users with mobility challenges. Crowded elevators and passages stall movement and waste precious time.
Movement becomes even more urgent in an emergency. If there is a fire, it is imperative that evacuations happen in the shortest possible time.
How Real-Time Indoor Maps and Wayfinding Technology Improve the Visitor Experience
Indoor maps are digital representations of physical buildings that can be accessed on computers, phones, and other mobile devices. Here are some ways the technology can facilitate multi-building navigation.
1. Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Indoor mapping software has interactive features that guide users every step of the way, telling them when to turn and showing the shortest possible route. Indoor positioning systems (IPS) monitor the current state of traffic on campus, redirecting users if passages are blocked or overcrowded. At Stanford, for example, the university’s indoor navigation system guides students and staff to lecture halls, libraries, and events in real time.
2. Mobile Integration
Indoor positioning apps on users’ phones can use preferences to personalize the experience. The app then shows events and destinations based on each user’s interests. Reminders, scheduling, and guidance along the path of least resistance, with alerts, all contribute to a smoother visit. Cleveland Clinic deploys such a system to direct people toward elevators and ramps and sidestep stress and traffic.
3. Real-Time Location Tracking
Indoor positioning systems in hospitals track assets such as wheelchairs and medical equipment, so they can be quickly deployed where they’re needed. Tracking patients leads to faster emergency response and treatment. The same system can be applied to malls and factories.
4. Optimizing Space Utilization
By collecting and analyzing data about when and where office staff or theme park visitors spend the most time, you can allocate space efficiently and schedule meetings. Mayo Clinic accomplishes this by informing staff when certain spaces will be available.
Key Benefits of Indoor Mapping Software
Together, these capabilities help organizations of any size deliver:
- Faster, less stressful navigation across buildings
- Better accessibility for people with visual or mobility challenges
- Quicker evacuations and emergency response
- Real-time visibility of equipment and assets
- Data to allocate space and schedule more effectively
Indoor Mapping for Your Business
It’s a sign of our times that airports like Chicago O’Hare now use indoor navigation systems to help passengers reach gates, locate stores, and claim baggage. You don’t have to be a massive business to incorporate the technology. Whether you run a campus, a hospital, or a retail space, the right tools make every building easier to navigate. Give it a try and see how indoor mapping software can help people find what they need in your stores, then scale up for even better results.
