Dynamic mapping is more than just wayfinding - here’s why

For a long time, the implementation of mapping technology in large buildings and venues has been a way to navigate users from A to B. However, as technology has evolved, digital mapping is now so much more than simple wayfinding. It has progressed into a dynamic way of handling mapping data and providing numerous features to make facilities management more efficient and enhance the user experience overall. 

Organizations want to be modern and offer the best services to their users. Many implement a dynamic mapping platform to provide their users wayfinding, among other features, in their indoor spaces. A dynamic mapping platform empowers users with a detailed and visual overview of all information related to the space. 

Dynamic mapping is transitioning into a need to have technology rather than a nice to have. In this blog post, we introduce you to five key components of a dynamic mapping platform and show you why dynamic mapping is more than simple wayfinding.

#1 Live data integrations

Modern facilities have a vast array of various systems to help manage and ease the day-to-day operations of employees, facilities management, and guests. Parking management, meeting room booking systems, and indoor wayfinding are just some of the features that facilities implement to clear the path of hurdles for their users and connect them. 

But with a lot of systems comes a lot of data. And the problem is not the amount of data itself. Instead, the problem is the overload of information spread across disparate software platforms: the segregated data.

A dynamic mapping platform lets you capture and combine your segregated data to visualize it in a real-time overview of your spaces. This way, all the information that otherwise would have to be found in different systems now becomes available in one place.

#2 Customized maps for different users

Guests and visitors don’t require the same visibility into your buildings as your employees and facilities management do and thus, it can be beneficial to have different sets of maps for visitors and employees. 

With a dynamic mapping platform, this becomes a possibility with profile-based routing and customizable user maps. Profile-based routing is a feature that allows you to decide which users get access to different parts of the building. This proves beneficial in buildings with restricted areas, or areas that are currently under construction. Staff may be allowed to pass through, but visitors should be guided around the area. In busy office buildings, it can be a distracting factor to have multiple visitors passing through the office space. With profile-based routing, guests can be navigated around the spaces as needed.

#3 Create and control POIs

With a dynamic mapping platform, you can easily create and control your points of interest (POIs). POIs are points on the map that are not available in the floor plan drawings such as coffee machines, food trucks, or temporary event structures. POIs can be easily added or moved around the map from the content management system (CMS).

With the easy customization features in the CMS, you’re empowered with easy control of all POIs displayed on your map to decide when and where to show them - or not to show them. 

#4 Connect with IoT devices

IoT devices contain sensors and process capacities that can connect to and exchange data with other devices over the internet. As more technologies are introduced, this field continues to evolve. The use of IoT devices such as beacons and sensors is what brings real-time and updated information to your dynamic map. Want to be able to show meeting room or working desk occupancy on your map? IoT sensors in the meeting rooms make it easy for users to tell if a space is available or not. 

#5 Indoor wayfinding

Just because dynamic mapping is more than just wayfinding, it doesn’t mean that buildings don’t benefit from the feature. Indoor wayfinding lets users navigate through your spaces, guiding them via the fastest or most convenient way to their destination. Many large facilities have a complex infrastructure that can be difficult to navigate without guidance on where to go or where to find different points of interest. These challenges can easily be solved using indoor wayfinding, which at the same time will help users save time and eliminate stress from not being able to find their way around.

Want to know more about how a dynamic mapping platform can benefit your business? MapsIndoors is a technology-agnostic platform that easily integrates with any third-party and into your application. Our experts are always ready to talk to you about the opportunities to meet your specific needs.