Technology has revolutionised the way we navigate our vast cities. From GPS-enabled smartphones to digital maps, finding our way in unfamiliar territories has become second nature.

But what happens when we go inside large corporate buildings, shopping centres, or hospitals with their complex and confusing structures? This is where indoor navigation and digital wayfinding apps come into play, making them indispensable tools for unfamiliar locations. This article will explore why large complex buildings should incorporate indoor navigation and wayfinding maps into their facilities.

1. Enhanced Employee Productivity:

Indoor navigation and wayfinding maps can greatly enhance employee productivity within large organisations. Workers who can easily navigate office buildings save time and energy by not getting lost or searching for specific places.

With indoor navigation systems, employees can quickly locate meeting rooms, offices, and other important areas within the building. No more asking questions or depending on coworkers for directions, allowing other employees to concentrate on their work.

Moreover, indoor navigation can help new employees acclimate to their surroundings more efficiently. Instead of spending days or even weeks trying to familiarise themselves with the layout of the building, they can rely on the indoor navigation system to guide them. This reduces the stress and anxiety that often comes with navigating unfamiliar environments.

By tracking the movement of employees and customers within the building, companies can identify areas of congestion or bottlenecks. Property managers and building owners can then use this data to optimise the layout of the building, improve workflow, and enhance overall efficiency.

2. Improved Visitor Experience

In addition to improving employee productivity, indoor navigation can enhance the visitor experience. Shopping centres, for example, are often vast and complex, with numerous stores and facilities spread across multiple levels. Customers can easily become overwhelmed and frustrated without proper guidance, leading to a negative shopping experience.

By utilising indoor navigation tools such as an indoor wayfinding app and interactive wayfinding kiosks, shoppers can quickly locate specific stores or find the shortest route to their desired destinations. This convenience leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty and encourages repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Similarly, hospitals can significantly benefit from indoor navigation systems. 

Navigating through a hospital can be daunting, especially for patients and their families who may already be under stress. Digital maps and wayfinding apps help people find departments, clinics, or parking areas, reducing anxiety and improving the healthcare experience. Leading hospitals in Australia, such as St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, have implemented indoor wayfinding to better assist patients, visitors and healthcare providers.

3. Accessibility and Inclusion:

Incorporating accessible navigation is not just a matter of convenience; it’s also about meeting legal requirements and ensuring inclusivity for all. Businesses and organisations need to meet accessibility standards to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Indoor wayfinding apps help people with a disability move around buildings by giving them turn-by-turn routes, audio instructions, and wheelchair-accessible routes to avoid stairs and other obstacles when finding their way around. This ensures that everyone can navigate the building on their own.

By providing accessible navigation, companies highlight their commitment to a diverse and equitable workplace. 

Incorporating indoor navigation and wayfinding maps into large complex environments such as office buildings, hospitals, and shopping centres is crucial for enhancing employee productivity, improving the visitor experience, and gaining valuable insights. With technological advancements, tools such as indoor wayfinding apps and digital maps have become essential in navigating the complex structures of indoor spaces. By investing in indoor navigation systems,  companies and organisations can create a more efficient, accessible and user-friendly environment.