Enhancing Wayfinding with QR Codes and NFC Tags

November 20, 2023

In the fast-paced digital era, technology continues to revolutionize the way we interact with our surroundings. One area where innovation has made significant strides is in wayfinding solutions. Gone are the days of paper maps and confusing signage. Today, we explore the synergy between wayfinding with QR codes and NFC tags. How this powerful combination is transforming navigation experiences across various industries?

Wayfinder software has emerged as a game-changer in navigation and location-based services. Leveraging GPS technology, indoor mapping, and intuitive interfaces, these applications simplify the way we navigate complex environments such as airports, malls, hospitals, and campuses. However, to truly elevate the user experience, developers have integrated additional technologies like QR codes and NFC tags.

Many of our customers have used QR codes allready for some time. Because QR-codes provide easy access to building maps without the need for information kiosks. Most people nowadays have smartphones. So with QR-code the map can be open almost with one click. Although with NFC, it is even simpler. Therefore just place your mobile phone near the NFC tag and map will be opened automatically in your cellphone browser.

Now there is option to download QR-codes for each location in 3D Wayfinder administration panel. 

Enhancinh wayfinding with qr codes and nfc tags.

Screens module has to be enable and with each screen there is option to see the QR-code. To download QR-code, you just have to click on it. QR-code will be download in SVG format. It can be used for printing or additional designing.

QR-code takes the template that is mark as default and screen’s location. Screens can be added in 3D Wayfinder editor, by selecting any node and marking it as screen (kiosk). 

QR Codes: Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds

Quick Response (QR) codes have become ubiquitous in modern society. These two-dimensional barcodes store information that can be quickly scanned by a smartphone camera. Integrating QR codes into wayfinder software enhances the user experience by seamlessly connecting the physical environment with digital information. For instance, in a museum, visitors can scan QR codes next to exhibits to access additional information, audio guides, or interactive content, enriching their overall experience.

We have helped our customers to use QR-code based navigation in parking lots. So that visitors can easily get their car’s location and later on find the way back to their car. Also we have used QR-codes for exploring the corn-maze. Also in smaller shopping malls it is convenient to use printed QR-codes or QR-codes on digital displays without the need for touch-screen kiosks.

NFC Tags: A Touch of Seamless Connectivity

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology enables short-range wireless communication between devices. When integrated with wayfinder software, NFC tags provide a touch-based solution for users to access information effortlessly. Imagine a smart city scenario where commuters can tap their smartphones on NFC tags at bus stops to instantly access real-time bus schedules, route maps, and service updates. See also our solution for showing transportation schedules.

The Power of Integration

The true power of using wayfinding with QR codes and NFC tags lies in their seamless integration. By combining these technologies. Developers create a multifaceted solution that caters to diverse user preferences and accessibility needs. Whether someone prefers scanning QR codes or tapping NFC tags, the experience remains intuitive and user-friendly. With 3D Wayfinder, every code or NFC tag can be configured as different “You are here” location. 

Applications Across Industries

Retail Environments: In large shopping malls, customers can scan QR codes on directories to quickly locate stores. While NFC tags on products provide detailed information and promotions. QR-codes can be use on digital signage screens or printed on walls with NFC-tags.

Healthcare Facilities

Patients and visitors can navigate hospitals efficiently by scanning QR codes on floor maps or tapping NFC tags to access appointment details and medical information. QR-codes and NFC-tags are important part in our Hopsital Wayfinder solution. That is wayfinding application specially designed for hospitals  

Educational Campuses

Universities can deploy QR codes and NFC tags on campus maps. It make easier for students and visitors to find classrooms, offices, and event locations. Students are usually more opened to innovative solutions and they definitely have smartphones with them. 

Transportation Hubs

Airports and train stations can optimize passenger experience by incorporating QR codes on tickets and NFC tags. For example to see real-time updates on departure gates and delays. We have made integrations for scanning boarding passes on airports. So that visitors can be automatically directed to the right gates. 

Smart Cities

Municipalities can enhance public services by implementing QR codes and NFC tags on signage. Because It is important to providing citizens with instant access to information about local events, services, and emergency alerts.

In conclusion as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of modern technology. Above all the integration of wayfinder software, QR codes and NFC tags marks a significant milestone in improving user experiences across various industries. This dynamic trio not only simplifies navigation but also opens the door to innovative applications that blend the physical and digital worlds seamlessly. The future of wayfinding is here, and it’s more connected and user-centric than ever before. All our long-time and new customers are welcome to implement our new system. Contact us and we will find the best option for you.

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How 3D Wayfinder Software Makes Hospitals Better

April 25, 2022

3D Wayfinder R&D AS has successfully completed as many as 200 projects a round the world. Below map gives you just small glimpse where you can find our work. Find out how hospital wayfinding software works.

3D Wayfinder R&D project map for wayfinding software projects globally.
3D Wayfinder global projects

Opportunity to work with clients globally has been beneficial to us all. Making our team stronger in 3D wayfinding software development and helping our clients to conquer their challenges. From the knowledge we have gathered we have now good insight what direction wayfinder software can grow in future.

Today, we see rising demand for solutions in healthcare sector. Larger city hospitals have grown to huge building complexes and provide rooms for hundreds of patients at a time. Some medical services are provided in one building and other services in different building. Patients who are staying short time and patients from rural areas are the first ones to discover these difficulties. Finding right cabinet from that maze can be long and challenging event.

How are we going to improve healthcare through wayfinding?

For hospitals we have taken already steps to improve our 3D wayfinder software. “3D Hospital Wayfinder and Management System” has been supported by Estonian-Norway joint-programme Norway Grants “Green ICT programme”. Project timeline is August 2020 till July 2023. Project’s focus is on developing web-based software service for healthcare operations, example hospitals. Like facility’s floor-plan visualization in 3D with universal API for collecting different real-time data and showing it in 3D floor-plans.

More details you can find HERE.

Hospital wayfinding software example

Our project in Poland is a great example how large hospitals can really be. As you can see below picture it is not an easy task to find right location there. The use of the stairs is not possible for a person in a wheelchair. To tackle this issue we have created opportunity to use multiple direction routes.

UCK hospital project in Poland with 3D Wayfinding R&D AS software.

We can’t forget that there are people who do not want to touch kiosks for health reasons or are located in different part of hospital, where there is no self-service kiosks. To tackle this issue we have created QR code based wayfinder solution. Scan QR code with your smartphone and use your device like kiosk. All the functions you get from large self-service kiosk you get in your smart device.

If you have more questions about the software we are happy to talk!

Contact us here!

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Using QR-codes in Wayfinding Application

November 10, 2016

The easiest way for the visitor to get the wayfinding map into their mobile device is to add a QR-code to the kiosk application. By scanning the QR-code, the map of the building will open on the visitors mobile phone.

QR codes are getting more and more popular for sharing links for app downloads, promotions, additional information etc. QR-codes provide an easy way to share maps from wayfinding kiosks to mobile devices. Just scan the code and get the map to your device. No need for downloading any app or looking through the menus for your destination.

3D Wayfinder supports dynamic QR-codes for following cases: “You are here” location, path to selected location and location on the map.

Generating QR-code automatically

“You are here” in 3D Wayfinder is a node. That can be configured for each kiosks separately by simply using attribute in wayfinder URL. The QR code will be generated automatically using the same kiosk
parameters. There is no additional work with QR-codes. Even when using 20 or more wayfinding kiosks in a shopping mall, hospital or university campus.

Using QR-codes in wayfinding application

It is also possible to provide the entire path from current location to the selected location on the map. In this case the QR codes redirects to the 3D Wayfinder application with an attribute that shows the path immediately after it finishes loading. The Visitor can have the path visualized in their mobile phone. Without the need to search or select anything.

The third possibility is to show the specific location. Each location in 3D Wayfinder is a node. That can have its own view (including direction and zoom in 3D). By selecting any location on the kiosks, it is possible to show the QR code for this location. So the link behind the QR will open the map with the view to this location. By using positioning it is possible to capture the real location of the visitor and guide the visitor to the location that was scanned from the kiosk application.

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