Wayfinding has become a big deal in the digital signage world, with many solutions providers touting their software as a ‘wayfinding’ platform. Popularity for wayfinding software has increased as the potential of a very practical use of digital signage technology becomes more possible.
In the past digital signage software has been fairly passive, pre-programmed and broad-brush in its approach, but through the development of interactive screens and support within digital signage the rules have changed.
But wayfinding is not just about hardware and software, the truth of the matter is it’s more about the content than anything else.
If you want an interactive wayfinding and intelligent building management system you’re going to need a 3rd party software solution or some incredibly talented internal graphics staff. If you’re looking for a simpler maps and directional system then, again, good graphic design is your best friend.
We’ve explored some of the ways we have worked with wayfinding and how they can be delivered via a Tripleplay-type system.
Interactive Wayfinding
Through Tripleplay’s standard touch capable digital signage layout creation tools it is possible to create interactive wayfinding for your users, allowing them to personally access image, video or 3D graphic maps and directional information to help them guide themselves around a facility. This method essentially creates a ‘web’ interface for a user to navigate and can be delivered using a touch screen and an Advanced PC Client such as the Intel NUC.
Standard Wayfinding
Through Tripleplay’s standard digital signage platform it is possible to display static wayfinding materials and content; directional arrows, maps and location information. This can be achieved either as imagery and video content or by ingesting a 3rd party display as a HTML content item in the Tripleplay CMS.
Intelligent Building Wayfinding
Tripleplay’s platform enables ingest and display of wayfinding and room booking information from 3rd party sources, and enables interaction between the user and the system through its interactive touch capabilities. This enables users to book meeting rooms, desk space, find a colleague or find their way around a venue or building. Again, delivered via an Advanced PC Client such as the Intel NUC, content is displayed as a HTML resource and relies upon 3rd party integration.
Intelligent Crowd Management
Through integration into 3rd party venue management platforms, such as Triple Jump, Tripleplay’s platform can enable a venue to intelligently redirect visitors to quickest routes, smallest queues and quietest areas. Based on pre-set campaigns and messaging, Intelligent Crowd Management is a non-interactive, passive technology that allows internal systems to prompt visitors automatically when congestion begins.
Just from these few examples you can start to see wayfinding, like digital signage, is a nuanced and complex topic to discuss and doesn’t come with a simple answer. The route to success is in understanding the client brief and knowing which method will suit their personal wayfinding requirements.
The answer to ‘do you do wayfinding?’ isn’t as simple as it once seemed, is it?
