Real-Time Locating Systems – 7 Use Cases

Indoor positioning and indoor navigation: We show you 7 use cases from a variety of industries.

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The use of real-time locating systems yields numerous benefits across many industries. Applications range from indoor navigation to real-time tracking, motion profile analysis and more. In this article, we present some possible use cases for offices, healthcare facilities and industrial plants.

Workplace Experience App for Offices

One of the most popular uses of indoor localization and related services is a mobile app for employees in an office building. Such an app can provide many different functions. These include, for example, a navigation solution complete with digital maps of the building, real-time insights into the occupancy of individual rooms and workstations, room booking options, and the ability to report problems based on one’s location. It is also possible to locate free parking spaces, view current canteen menus and access public transportation schedules. As a result, the app supports collaborative work among employees and increases productivity as well as satisfaction in the workplace.

Inventory of Office Equipment

Another application scenario in the office environment is the location and automatic inventory of assets. In addition to the locations of individual objects, their movement profiles are also displayed. Other relevant information such as price, manufacturer and date of acquisition can be easily stored and the objects can be categorized, sorted and filtered within the user interface. In addition, employees can book or reserve equipment via the application.

Wayfinding Solution in Hospitals

Hospitals often stretch over a large area and several building complexes. On such an extensive site, it can be difficult to find the shortest way to one’s destination. A wayfinding solution for patients and visitors facilitates orientation in the healthcare facility. Navigation can be started within a mobile app. In this scenario, the position is determined on the end device and the user is guided to the destination via turn-by-turn navigation. An app can include additional functions such as appointment management or a digital waiting room. Alternatively or additionally, touch terminals can be installed at central locations within the hospital. Patients or visitors select their destination and the best route to get there is displayed.

Tracking of Medical Equipment

As medical equipment is often moved between different wards and patient rooms several times a day, staff regularly spend a lot of time trying to locate the equipment they need. By using a tracking solution, the current location of a piece of equipment can always be viewed via a desktop application or mobile app. This saves staff a lot of time, ensures more efficient processes, and guarantees the best possible treatment for patients. In addition, it is possible to track the utilization of the devices via the application. Based on this information, data-driven decisions can be made, for example, regarding the acquisition of new medical equipment.

Process Automation in Industrial Settings

By using infsoft Automation, individual action logics can be defined along the process chain with or without geo reference. On this basis, processes can be automated and optimized. Common applications include sending messages, configuring tasks or automatically updating the status of a work order. Based on virtual zones, a desired action can be triggered automatically when a tag hardware component enters, leaves or remains in this area.

Increasing Safety by Locating People

Work in an industrial plant is characterized by hazards, for example from handling tools, machines, components or vehicles. Locating employees significantly increases their safety. In this way, it is possible, among other things, to automatically send a warning or to stop machines whenever dangerous areas are entered. In addition, the hardware used for localization is equipped with an emergency button. If an employee finds themselves in a dangerous situation, pressing the button sends a warning including location information to the security personnel and the injured employee can be assisted promptly.

Mobile Services for Travelers at Airports and Train Stations.

A mobile app improves the travel experience for travelers at train stations and airports. The application can include a wide range of functions. These include up-to-date information about the journey (delays, change of track, etc.) as well as the option of turn-by-turn navigation, for example to the gate, a restaurant or an information desk. Furthermore, tickets can be booked directly via the app and timetables can be accessed.        

You can find more application examples from a variety of industries in our Use Cases section.

If you have any questions or would like to plan an indoor localization project with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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