Author: Kaspar Koov

When driving with a car, most people use GPS and mobile maps. Even in their home cities. Navigating in large buildings is different, there is now GPS signal, no car with cellphone holder and no roadsigns. So what helps visitors in this case? Of course, the answer is good wayfinding software.

In today’s fast-paced and dynamic world, efficient navigation and seamless movement within spaces are critical for businesses, organizations, and even individuals. Traditional maps and signage systems may no longer suffice in complex environments such as hospitals, airports, campuses, shopping malls, and large corporate facilities. This is where wayfinding software steps in, revolutionizing the way we navigate spaces. In this blog post, we will explore the myriad benefits and reasons why utilizing wayfinding software can enhance user experiences, improve efficiency, and drive success.

Simplifying Complex Environments with Wayfinding software?

One of the primary reasons to adopt wayfinding software is its ability to simplify complex environments. Large facilities can be overwhelming to navigate, causing frustration and confusion for visitors or employees. Wayfinding software provides interactive maps and real-time directions, guiding users seamlessly from their current location to their desired destination. It eliminates guesswork, reduces stress, and ensures that individuals can navigate even the most intricate spaces with ease.

Enhanced User Experience

Wayfinding software significantly enhances the overall user experience. It empowers visitors or employees to effortlessly find their way, eliminating the need for constant assistance or inquiries. The software can be designed to offer a user-friendly interface with intuitive features, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable navigation experience. This positive encounter with the space enhances satisfaction levels, fosters loyalty, and promotes positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Improved Efficiency and Productivity

Implementing wayfinding software can greatly improve efficiency and productivity within a space. In environments like hospitals or corporate offices, time is of the essence. With accurate and optimized directions, individuals can reach their destinations swiftly, avoiding unnecessary detours or delays. This streamlines operations, reduces congestion, and ultimately leads to enhanced productivity.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Wayfinding software plays a crucial role in ensuring accessibility and inclusivity within spaces. It can provide tailored directions and guidance for individuals with disabilities, offering accessible routes, elevators, or ramps. Moreover, the software can be designed to support multiple languages, catering to the diverse needs of visitors or employees from different cultural backgrounds. By embracing inclusivity, organizations foster a welcoming environment that accommodates everyone’s needs.

Real-Time Updates and Notifications

Wayfinding software equipped with real-time updates and notifications proves invaluable in dynamic environments. It can alert users about unexpected changes. Such as closures, construction, or event schedules, allowing individuals to plan their routes accordingly. Additionally, the software can integrate with other systems like transportation or event management. Providing up-to-the-minute information to users, enhancing their overall experience. In 3D Wayfinder, there all all the options to deliver real-time information over wayfinding screens.

Analytics and Insights

Wayfinding software offers organizations valuable analytics and insights into user behavior and movement patterns. By analyzing data such as popular routes, congested areas, or frequently visited points of interest, businesses can optimize their spaces and services. They can make informed decisions about resource allocation, facility design, or marketing strategies. Ultimately improving operational efficiency and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Advancing Navigation: Unleashing the Potential of 3D Wayfinder Software

In the realm of navigation and spatial orientation, 3D wayfinder software stands out as a cutting-edge solution that brings spaces to life and revolutionizes the way we navigate complex environments. Unlike traditional wayfinding systems, 3D wayfinder software harnesses the power of immersive 3D technology to provide users with a dynamic and engaging navigation experience. In this blog post, we will explore the compelling reasons why utilizing 3D wayfinder software offers significant advantages, enhances user experiences, and elevates navigation to new heights.

Visual Realism and Immersion with 3D Wayfinding

One of the key reasons to embrace 3D wayfinder software is its ability to deliver visual realism and immersion. By leveraging 3D graphics and rendering techniques, the software recreates spaces with remarkable accuracy, providing users with a lifelike representation of their surroundings. This immersive experience engages users on a deeper level, making navigation intuitive, captivating, and highly interactive.

Enhanced Spatial Understanding

Traditional maps and signage often fall short in conveying the true spatial relationships within a complex environment. 3D wayfinder software bridges this gap by offering a comprehensive and three-dimensional representation of spaces. Users can gain a better understanding of the layout, proportions, and distances between different points of interest, enabling them to navigate more confidently and efficiently.

Interactive Exploration

3D Wayfinder software encourages users to actively explore spaces and discover new areas of interest. It allows for interactive manipulation of the environment, such as zooming, panning, and rotating, offering users a sense of control and ownership over their navigation experience. This interactive exploration fosters engagement, encourages users to delve deeper into the space, and can even lead to serendipitous discoveries.

Multi-Floor Navigation

Complex environments often span multiple floors, such as shopping malls, airports, or large office buildings. 3D Wayfinder software excels in handling multi-floor navigation seamlessly. Users can effortlessly transition between different levels, visualize vertical connections like escalators or elevators, and receive clear directions that encompass all floors. This feature eliminates confusion and ensures smooth navigation across different levels of a space.

Customization and Personalization

3D Wayfinder software offers extensive customization and personalization options. Businesses and organizations can tailor the software to reflect their brand identity, incorporating logos, colors, and other visual elements. They can also customize the user interface to align with their specific needs and desired user experience. This flexibility allows for a cohesive and branded navigation solution that resonates with users.

Integration with Additional Features

3D wayfinder software can seamlessly integrate with other technologies and features to enhance the overall navigation experience. It can incorporate real-time data, such as event schedules, transportation updates, or point-of-interest information, ensuring users have access to the most up-to-date information. Additionally, it can integrate with mobile devices, enabling users to access navigation on-the-go and receive notifications or directions directly to their smartphones.

Let’s Explore How Customers can Profit from Implementing wayfinding Software

First about enhanced User Experience. By integrating wayfinding software into their premises, businesses can significantly improve the user experience for their customers. Wayfinding software makes it easier for visitors or customers to navigate complex environments, reducing confusion, frustration, and the time spent searching for specific locations. This improved experience can lead to higher customer satisfaction, positive reviews, and increased customer loyalty.

How wayfinding software Increases efficiency

Wayfinding software streamlines navigation and helps customers reach their destinations more quickly and efficiently. This can be particularly beneficial in large facilities, such as airports, shopping malls, or hospitals, where time is of the essence. By reducing the time spent searching for locations, customers can accomplish their tasks or reach their desired destinations faster. This improved efficiency can lead to increased productivity, reduced waiting times, and an overall positive impression of the organization.

Better Resource Utilization with Wayfinding Software

Wayfinding software can optimize the utilization of resources within a space. For instance, in a retail environment, customers can easily locate products or departments, leading to a more efficient shopping experience. This reduces customer frustration and increases the chances of making a purchase. Similarly, in a hospital or healthcare facility, patients can navigate to their appointments or specific departments more efficiently, minimizing delays and optimizing the use of healthcare resources.

Increased Revenue by using wayfinding software

Improved navigation and a positive user experience can directly impact a business’s revenue. When customers can easily find what they’re looking for. They are more likely to make purchases, explore additional offerings, or engage in repeat visits. This can result in increased sales, customer retention, and a positive impact on the bottom line.

Differentiation and Competitive Advantage of using Wayfinding Software

Implementing wayfinding software can differentiate a business from its competitors. It showcases a commitment to providing a seamless and user-friendly experience, setting the organization apart in the eyes of customers. In competitive industries, such differentiation can attract new customers, enhance brand reputation, and position the business as an innovative and customer-centric entity.

Data-Driven Insights with wayfinding software and maps

Wayfinding software often collects valuable data on user behavior and movement patterns within a space. By analyzing this data, businesses can gain insights into customer preferences, popular routes, and areas of high traffic. This information can help optimize facility layouts, improve marketing strategies, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall customer experience. In turn, these insights can lead to more targeted and effective business operations, ultimately driving profitability.

Overall, implementing wayfinding software can bring numerous benefits to customers. Including improved user experiences, increased efficiency, better resource utilization, increased revenue, differentiation, and access to data-driven insights.

3D Wayfinder wayfinding software is revolutionizing the way we navigate and interact with complex environments. By simplifying navigation, enhancing user experiences, improving efficiency, and promoting accessibility. It has become an indispensable tool for organizations across various industries. Embracing wayfinding software not only drives success but also showcases a commitment to providing exceptional user experiences. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative features and functionalities from wayfinding software. Reshaping the way we explore and navigate the world around us.

3D wayfinder software represents

3D wayfinder software represents a significant leap forward in navigation technology, offering a visually stunning, immersive, and interactive experience. By leveraging the power of 3D graphics and incorporating customization options, multi-floor navigation capabilities, and integration with additional features. It transforms complex environments into easily navigable and engaging spaces. Embracing 3D wayfinder software not only enhances user experiences but also showcases a commitment to innovation, technology, and providing seamless navigation solutions. As this technology continues to evolve, we can anticipate even more immersive and sophisticated features. That will redefine how we explore and interact with the world around us.

Following article was written with the help of AI-powered chat engine. Usually, we do not endorse our wayfinding software that much. But we have to agree with this article – using 3D Wayfinder software brings many benefits. We would be happy to show You all the features of 3D Wayfinder software. Just please contact us.

We are presenting the Hospital Wayfinder solution at SantExpo 2023. SantExpo is the largest healthcare IT exhibition in France and one of the largest healthcare exhibitions in Europe. Lots of interest about wayfinding software and how to make visitor’s experience better in hospitals.

Hospital Wayfinder is our wayfinding solution for healthcare and hospitals. Hospital Wayfinder has been specially designed and developed for hospitals, clinics, retirement homes etc. There are lot of interest and really good feedback about our wayfinding software. Allmost every visitor has personally got lost in hospital buildings before and sees the potential in our wayfinding solution for hospitals.

SantExpo is the leading French event of the French Hospital Federation. It brings together all decision-makers and healthcare professionals involved in the management, digital, care pathway, patient experience, equipment, materials, construction and transformation of healthcare institutions.

Besides IT solutions, there are different innovative and less innovative companies presenting healthcare related services and products. Getting contacts and earning money is definately the main focus, but behind that is the idea of solving hospital and healthcare problems. As we know, the healthcare sector is getting larger and larger with every year and there are more patients and more hospitals around the world.

In SantExpo, big players like Microsoft, Amazon, Philips, Siemens etc. are also present. As healthcare is a large market in France, every major company has a special solution also for healthcare.

As with many other exhibitions we have been visiting, SantExpo maps were also not digital. Almost hard to find a specific company and even harder to find companies by keywords and categories. Although the maps were printed on the floors, you still have to walk around looking for company signs.

Today is the last day at SantExpo, meet us near the main caffeteria next to Start-Up village section. Or just contact our sales to ask about our wayfinding solution for healthcare and hospitals.

We have added CDN support in 3D Wayfinder. CDN makes loading 3D Wayfinder application faster especially outside Europe. Currently it is available only for custom projects, but soon it will be option for all 3D Wayfinder customers.

CDN or Content Delivery Network is a geographically distribute servers that cache content close to end users. A CDN allows for the quick transfer of files, media etc. It works best for static content. In 3D Wayfinder it is basically possible to load all wayfinding content including maps, location data, images, application files etc. CDN is widely used by sites with huge traffic like Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon.

CDN is currenlty available for 3D Wayfinder custom projects and we have to make manual changes to make it work. We would like to open it for all 3D Wayfinder users, but this will still need some development and testing.

CDN server network copies files to more than 200 locations over world and when the wayfinding application is load, the files will be served from closest server.

During the testings we got loading improvement more than 60%. Lodaing speed was around 6 seconds from CDN compare to 16 seconds from 3D Wayfinder server.

Delivering content over CDN needs static content. This means that the content from databases has to be cached first. For any live-data like positioning or statistics, CDN cannot use. As wayfinding maps don’t change that often, it is easy to make the location information and maps to be as static content. Just after every change in 3D Wayfinder administration panel, the content has to be submit to CDN network also.

If you are already 3D Wayfinder customer and like your wayfinding to be load over CDN, please contact our sales department or your contact person in 3D Wayfinder. We will keep you posted through our blog and let you know when CDN-option will be available for all users in administration panel.

WordPress Indoor Map Plugin for indoor maps is an easy way to integrate building directory to your WordPress website. Keep the tenant info in sync on all your channels – web, mobile and kiosk. It allows you to connect locations on map with WordPress pages, show logos and additional info.

We have developed WordPress indoor map plugin for 3D Wayfinder. Plugin comes with stand-alone location management, but in can be used also with directory content from 3D Wayfinder.

Plugin provides map, that can be included in any WordPress page. Besides interactive map, there are also search and browsing features. Floorplans are clickable, and it is also possible to link WordPress pages with map. This is a very useful plugin for all shopping malls, universities, airports, train stations and other similar institutions. The customer can open the 3D wayfinder map from their own device and click and move as needed.

Until the end of December we are offering WordPress Map plugin for $750 (one time fee, no monthly costs).

Named offer stands for all webpages on WordPress platform (we have done integrations with other CMS-software also, contact us about other options). 

The plugin is not yet listed in WordPress plugin directory, but it will be soon. we are working on adding simple 2D floor plan editor, so maps can be designed directly inside WordPress.

We have made a mobile-friendly web application for large corn maze. Application helps to navigate in the maze, but at same time it will not disappear the fun of finding the right path in maze. Continue reading to see, how that’s possible.

Our customer Port Farms is operating large corn maze in Pennsylvania, not far from Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The maze labyrinth will be updated every year and it is more than 500 feet in length and 300 feet wide.

We have created a web-based mobile application for Port Farms, with a map of the maze. When starting, the map tiles are not visible. At the entry point of each section, there is QR-code and by scanning the code a part of the maze map will open.

It is similar to strategic computer games, where you cannot see the whole map, but just the part you have discovered. By using 3D Wayfinder geolocation API, the actual location is shown by a red dot.

You may ask, why do you need to provide the map in maze or labyrinth at all? One thing is to wonder around the maze and finally get your way out. Another thing is to explore (and in some way we may even say to “conquer”) the maze and discover it. Without needing paper and pen, you just scan the QR codes and open up the map. But it doesn’t mean that you will see the right way through. You still have to try and guess.

3D Wayfinder with similar tiled maps can be used in any other maze, labyrinth or theme park. By scanning the code or following the link, you can add information layers to the map and get the needed info at the right location.

3D Wayfinder has currently a server issue and our service is not working. The issue is with our Frankfurt data volume is down.

3D Wayfinder has currently a server issue and our service is not working at the moment. The issue is with our Frankfurt data volume which is currently down. Team at our service provider is working on the issue. You can read more info from:
https://status.digitalocean.com/incidents/8sk3mbgp6jgl

We are apologizing!

3D Wayfinder Team

In recent days, we were having problems with 3D model converter. These problems are partially fixed now, so converting non-corrupted 3D files shouldn’t cause any interruption anymore.

3D Wayfinder’s model file converter has stopped quite often lately, when converting corrupted 3D floor-plan files. Every time converter stopped, we had to start the process manually and clean the converting queue.
All 3D files are converted to JSON format, so they can be load in 3D Wayfinder. Our converter supports many 3D file formats, most common are FBX and DAE.
The problems were with couple of models, that caused invalid JSON when converting.
We have added error catching for this, so the rest of the converting process can resume and these corrupted models don’t interrupt other 3D models to be converted.
If converting of 3D floorplan model fails, you’ll get “ERROR” response in 3D Wayfinder Administration:

Other reasons, that 3D files couldn’t be converted are mainly caused by using non-UTF characters in mesh names.

There might be problems with 3D Wayfinder application today, as we are moving application server to another data center.

Thanks to growing number of users, we need more storage place. So we are moving 3D Wayfinder application to another data center, which offers more flexible solutions for storage space. This causes some down-time for 3D Wayfinder application (Administration panel and application itself).

With our suggested kiosk setup, it shouldn’t be a problem for kiosk applications.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The new 3D Wayfinder Administration Panel is centered more around the floor plan editor. To provide better usability we keep the 3D editor idle when moving away to other pages. So switching between editor and other views is much faster now.

The new Administration Panel has been publicly available for testing since the beginning of this year. At the end of the summer we will only support the new administration panel. Although the current administration environment will be available for some time.

Loading the 3D floor plan editor takes a couple of seconds because we need to load 3D floor-plans models and also additional editor tools. Now when the editor is always in the background. We do not need to load the 3D editor again. This makes the usage more faster and user friendly.

Our new administrator panel is being built on Angularjs. To achieve loading of editor once we have created the service that holds the canvas element. It is also attached our editor API to it. Controller then adds canvas to the editor view and provides connection to API actions.

To see and test new Administration panel and floor plan editor, please log in here. If you don’t have an account with 3D Wayfinder, you can create it here for free.

We have developed an interactive kiosk for 3D applications. The kiosk is equipped with a landscape LCD screen, a touch panel and a dedicated graphics card which makes it suitable for applications that require greater graphical computing capabilities.

Most of the modern kiosk hardware is made as thin as possible and in most cases kiosk hardware use small PC-s like Intel NUC’s or even USB stick like Intel Compute Sticks. This is enough for showing advertisements or 2D wayfinding plans, but for larger 3D applications these PCs tend to be too weak. For one of our latest projects we had a challenge to create a special kiosk, where we could put a regular size motherboard and graphics card. The outcome is quite impressive and we are definitely taking this 3D kiosk further so we can provide it to other customers also. It can be counted as first Gamers’ kiosk PC in the world.

The kiosk is built on a metal frame, that supports the 8 mm tempered glass and holds the touch screen and computer hardware. The metal frame has enough weight and the screen is leaning back in a light angle. So it stays firmly on the ground and so there is no need to mount it to the floor.

For the computer we used regular PC components. The idea was to make the inside visible through the glass, so we put the emphasis on the looks of the components. We used components that had LED-lights so it would make a impressive light show. To place graphics cards separately, PCI Express riser cable was used. Common riser cables are white/grey color, but we needed the black one, so it would also look nice.

In current kiosk we used ASUS B150 Pro Gaming motherboard with Intel Core i5-7400 CPU cooling with Antec Kühler H2O H1200 watercooling. Power supply is 700W Zalman 700TX. Graphics card is ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, but it was planned to upgrade GPU when needed.
After aligning all the components and making the cabling in proper way, we painted the plate black. It is important to fix and align all the cables, otherwise it wouldn’t look nice. Especially as the PC plate will be partly visible through the covering glass of the kiosk.

Kiosk has 3 vents for blowing the air out from the bottom of the frame. On top of the kiosk we have also 3 vent openings, that are being used for air intake. It is possible to use there alsovents, but in current installation we just put there dust filter.

Glass has been mounted to metal frame by special glass mountings. It is possible to paint the glass from both sides to make kind of 3D effect. In current case we used customer’s corporate design elements, which were lines. The background is dark gray, but not in full color, so it is possible to see through it. Also it has a special “window” for looking at kiosk heart – the PC built on wooden plate.

On the inner side of the glass we have installed LED bar, so the edge of the glass is shining. The light also reflects the printed pattern on the back. In our case we used gray, so the effects are not that visible.

The kiosk was created for special building information (BIM) application in Estonian National Museum. There are over 10 thousand elements in this 3D model. This has been so far the largest 3D model used in 3D Wayfinder. When on high end laptop the application is running on around 5 FPS, then in this kiosk it is more than 15 FPS. More detailed overview of the BIM application is coming soon.

Glass was created by Glasstech and kiosk frame was designed and manufactured by Hecada.