The document discusses how to properly implement an indoor wayfinding system for a hospital. It advises against following the recommendations of most wayfinding companies, as they focus too much on mobile technologies that will see little usage. Instead, the best approach is to integrate indoor navigation into the existing information sources patients and visitors already use, like appointment letters, the hospital website, and reception desks. This will maximize usage at a lower cost than expensive mobile-focused systems. Demographics must be considered to ensure any wayfinding system meets user needs and abilities.

1. about
by
Ron Koning
Wayfinding Software
ron@wayfinding.software
2017 / 2018

2. Introduction
• Ron Koning has made and installed many indoor wayfinding
applications for hospitals, universities, commercial and government
buildings.
• This presentation is an exert of my experiences.
• Goal: Stop hospitals from investing BIG money into indoor wayfinding
systems nobody will use.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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3. Problem
• Your hospital is hard to navigate
• More directional signs is not an option
• Too expensive
• Already there
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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4. Solution
• Indoor Wayfinding System
• BUT … do it the right way
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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5. • A large majority of hospital indoor wayfinding suppliers gives the
wrong advice
• Causing the hospital to make the wrong investment
Wrong Advice
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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6. The Wrong Way
• WILL … cost you up to 10x too much
• AND ... hardly anyone will use it
• So … you still have a wayfinding problem
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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7. Why is that?
• Because wayfinding companies advise
their solution from a technology
standpoint
• For example: Mobile wayfinding is sexy.
Almost all experts advise it
• But is mobile wayfinding suited for a
hospital?
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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8. Mission
• Implement a successful wayfinding
system.
• The measure of success of a hospital
wayfinding software is:
How many people of your audience will
use it and will keep using it.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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9. Demographics
• This success is depending on the
willingness to accept it, by your public.
• The level of acceptance is largely
depending on the demographics of the
hospitals’ audience.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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10. No mobile wayfinding
• The demographics is FAR from optimal for
mobile wayfinding
• Secondly, the mind set is set to everything
BUT downloading and using a navigation app.
• Mobile wayfinding shouldn’t be on top of
your wish list.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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11. No Beacons
• Beacons provide positioning on the mobile
navigation app
• Great technical feat which requires A LOT of
investment
• Beacons are for mobile use. Don’t do it, nobody
will use it.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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12. Other NoNo’s
• Every feature that is primarily for mobile use such as
picture-based mobile navigation systems.
• A kiosk should be a supportive feature: You can do
well without.
• Avoid build-your-own navigation systems. They will
not solve anything.
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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13. Recap
• Do not put mobile wayfinding first to solve your
wayfinding problem
• No mobile and no beacons will immediately save you
70-80% of the cost
• Only add mobile wayfinding and kiosks as an
alternate service (if you want)
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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14. The Right Way
• Look at what sources your audience uses now, to get
information about the hospital.
• Then, integrate the indoor navigation system within
those sources.
• Guaranteed 90-100% use
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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15. Information sources
1. Appointment confirmation by letter or email.
2. Website of the Hospital
3. Reception in the Lobby
4. Reception at the departments
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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16. Appointment confirmation
• By letter: Print directions from the entrance to the
destination on the back of the letter.
• By email: Provide a link that will display the route on
computer or mobile
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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Information sources:

17. Website of the Hospital
• Integrate the indoor wayfinding system into the web
site
• Clearly advertise the indoor wayfinding feature on
the homepage.
• Web-based navigation system is cheaper and easier
to integrate
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Information sources:

18. Reception in the Lobby
• Allow access to the indoor wayfinding system for the
receptionist
• He or she can generate and print the directions and
give along with the visitor
• QR-code on the print also allows for transfer of the
directions to the mobile phone
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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Information sources:

19. Reception at the departments
(Same features as previous)
• Allow access to the indoor wayfinding system for the
receptionist
• He or she can generate and print the directions and
give along with the visitor
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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Information sources:

20. • Integrate the indoor wayfinding system into existing
information resources
• Also happens to be the cheapest way
• 90%+ guaranteed usage
Recap
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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21. Supplement
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• You can also (next to the previous) provide a mobile
indoor wayfinding system or a kiosk wayfinding
system just from a customer service point of view.
• Provided the development of the system is web-
based, these will be cheap add-ons to your indoor
wayfinding software.

22. You’re Set!
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• Now, you are set to provide the best system to your
clientele.
• Don’t put mobile and kiosk wayfinding first, but the
existing resources and you will be doing great.
• Investment = Success!!

23. Provisions
by Ron Koning Wayfinding Software ron@wayfinding.software 2017 / 2018
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• The visitors of a hospital are an exceptional bunch
when it comes to embracing new technologies.
• Mind that de demography determines if the indoor
wayfinding software will be a success or not.
• Ask me about University and Mall solutions!

24. Consultancy
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Presentations, Advice and
Project Management
Ron Koning
Wayfinding Software
ron@wayfinding.software
2017 / 2018