University campuses can be large, confusing, intimidating environments, especially if you’re just visiting or if you’re a student who’s new to the area. With multiple buildings, departments, and rooms to get lost in, it makes sense that more and more universities are deploying interactive campus maps for easy navigation for students and visitors. There are lots of benefits of indoor mapping.
There are many ways that indoor mapping software can benefit university students and the university itself, asides from the obvious navigational benefits.
Here we discuss 5 ways that university campuses can benefit from indoor mapping!
1. Utilize digital wayfinding solutions
First things first, indoor mapping makes it easier for students to find the exact room they’re supposed to be in. Step by step directions make finding your new lecture hall or seminar room as easy as driving to the grocery store with Google Maps – just follow the simple turn-by-turn directions.
Multi-stop wayfinding allows students to search for multiple rooms at once, and a digital directory makes it easy for students to find exactly where they need to be, as well as general facilities such as restrooms and vending machines.
It can also come in handy for emergency situations. For example, if a fire breaks out or someone has a heart attack on site, your app can quickly direct you to the nearest fire extinguisher, escape route, first aid kit, defibrillator, or whatever else you might need in an emergency situation where you don’t have time to think.
2. Book rooms & studios
Some indoor mapping software allows users to book rooms and studios in their free time – this can be helpful for organizing study groups or perhaps shooting film/photography for students in more artistic subjects.
Certain indoor mapping software even allows you to see which rooms are empty right now, meaning that students will never accidentally enter a classroom that’s being used when looking for somewhere to work or study. Live room bookings are an impressive feature that will also help to attract more students to your campus.
3. Acquire useful data & insights
If you’re part of the university management team, then acquiring data and insights is an essential tool that can help you to make positive data-informed changes to the layout and structure of the university.
Indoor mapping software allows you to track how students use the campus, the routes they take, and the most popular parts of the buildings. This can help to inform the future placement of vending machines, fire extinguishers, water fountains, and more.
4. Embrace different languages and accessibility issues
With indoor mapping, you’re able to produce your maps and directions in multiple different languages, catering to international students who may not speak English as their first language.
Similarly, you can set up your software to include accessible routes for students with mobility issues, guiding them to rooms via wheelchair ramps, elevators, and otherwise accessible routes that may otherwise cause these students trouble.
5. Brand your indoor maps
As well as serving as a navigational tool and a great way to track the use of your university campus, indoor mapping software makes it easy for you to brand your maps with university graphics, logos, and designs.
This way, you can create an app that reflects the image of your university without losing any prestige or feeling “cheap”.
In fact, by providing new students with branded indoor mapping software, you can help to solidify your image as a classy international learning establishment.
So whether it’s the step-by-step directions, branding, or making your university campus more accessible, there are plenty of reasons to try indoor mapping at your university right now.
