5 Vital Steps on How to Create Indoor Navigation Maps

Indoor navigation maps aid movement in large buildings like hospitals, malls, airports, and workplaces. These maps are crucial to property owners who plan or monitor their space usage. But how do we create indoor navigation maps? 

These maps are created using indoor positioning technology to provide vital map details of the venue. For instance, a patient using a navigation map of a particular hospital will quickly get to their destination without asking for help or getting lost.

Initially, creating an indoor navigation map may seem daunting, but you can readily achieve it with a few simple steps. This guide will break down the vital steps for creating effective indoor navigation maps for a beginner. Read on.

Step One: Set Your Goals

Why do you need a navigation map? Depending on your space size, workforce or industry, there are myriad reasons why you may want to create an indoor navigation map. The reasons are your goals, and you need to identify them first before you start the process.

The main reasons why property managers create navigation maps include:

To Improve Space Management

Do people follow the same old route on the property? Is traffic heavy on one side of the organization only? If so, you need better space management, and an indoor navigation map can help.

Prepare For Emergency Events

Perhaps, you need navigation maps to help your workers and other property occupants in times of emergency. The indoor mapping system can automatically send alerts to the occupants on the available escape routes and other safe meeting areas in case of safety emergencies.

Improve User Experience

If your workplace or retail store is located in a large mall, a navigation map can significantly improve the user experience. Your clients will have user-friendly maps to get you, so they will spend more time interacting with you than looking for directions.

Increase Workplace Productivity

Employees need a collaborative environment to save time and increase efficiency. Indoor navigation maps provide real-time information on the exact location of equipment, meeting points, and much more. An indoor map can help you analyze your employees’ movements to utilize the available resources excellently.

Step 2: Choose Your Indoor Navigation Map Provider

Now that you have a goal(s), the next step is to identify your preferred provider. While the indoor mapping industry is relatively young, the providers are many. So you need to select your partner carefully. 

Here are helpful things to consider when choosing the right provider:

Expertise and Reputation

Experience counts in the indoor mapping industry. You can check the number of clients that the provider has worked with in the past to be sure you can trust their experience. If possible, go for the senior providers because they are more knowledgeable.

Customers Support Service

The best firm should offer a 24/7 service. Be sure to check the reliability of the firm before choosing a provider. If a tech failure affects the navigation maps, you can easily reach out to the provider and get handy help.

Integration with Other Systems

Indoor mapping is just a small segment of an extensive system. Chances are your business is already using other systems. Choose a vendor whose systems integrate well with your existing systems to save time and money.

Step 3: Create Your Floor Plan

Your provider will need to see the current floor plan of your property. The plan should include the key interest points, which include the following:

• Entry points such as stairs, doors, and lifts
• Amenities such as ATMs, public phones, and vending machines
• Safety tools and places such as fire extinguishers and emergency doors
• Other vital amenities such as toilets and kiosks

In most cases, your indoor navigation map provider will help you source the map based on your space, needs, and goals. Be sure to provide the correct information to develop the most accurate navigation maps.

Step 4: Geo-Reference the Map to the Real-World Measurements

Geo-referencing is a vital step of indoor mapping creation. Since you don’t need to mislead the users, you will need to maintain high accuracy levels, which means that you use the real dimensions. 

Locate any nearby buildings and locations, and provide the correct distance estimates. You can also utilize geo-reference tools, which provide real-time estimates. 

So, if you are working with an indoor mapping vendor, confirm that they have geo-referencing software to get the ideal real-world measurements.

Here is the basic step that your vendor will follow to draw the map:

• Choose the ideal CRS according to the platform and the results you need
• Create the maps vector outline
• Overlay to the original 2D plan with the outline
• When done with overlaying, use the geo-referencing software to trace the essential building features such as walls

When done, you will have a geo-referenced plan which you can use to add the critical interest features discussed in step 3.

Step 5: Monitor and Review the Map to Maintain Real-Time Accuracy

Efficiency in map navigation translates to better customer service. As such, you should continuously monitor and review the map to ensure that your clients don’t get lost.

If you change the location of a vital amenity, route, or direction, be sure to implement the changes in the app to reduce inconveniences. 

Similarly, view the app on different devices to ensure it’s showing well. If possible, ensure that your navigation maps are mobile responsive because many people use smartphones and other mobile devices. 

Don’t forget to grant editor permissions to members of your team. When multiple people in your team have access to the navigation maps, it becomes easier to note any mistakes and rectify them as soon as possible.

Get Started With Indoor Navigation Maps Today.

We cannot underestimate the importance of indoor navigation maps in today’s world. They facilitate movement in malls, offices, airports, and other big spaces. If you plan to improve customer service through indoor navigation maps, follow our guide to create the best map. 

However, the key is to work with the right provider and use the most efficient software. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you experience any challenges creating an indoor navigation map for your property.

Do you need a smart indoor mapping approach? Maptelligent is your ideal solution. No matter the size of your space, Maptelligent will help you create and visualize floor plans on a geographical map display. For more information on our indoor mapping solution, please contact us or request a demo.