IndoorAtlas has extensively tested and verified that, in general, a building's magnetic field remains highly stable for many years. As long as the venue does not undergo significant structural renovations, your initial magnetic map will continue to work reliably without the need for regular updates. 


For example, IndoorAtlas is permanently deployed in major exposition venues where mapping is done (once) in completely empty halls. This same magnetic fingerprint remains highly effective during active shows, even after extensive temporary structures are built. In these scenarios, any minor changes to the magnetic field are negligible compared to the overall accuracy benefits of magnetic tracking.


However, there are a few specific scenarios where re-fingerprinting or updating your existing map is recommended:

  • Layout and Topology Changes: If the physical layout of the venue changes (e.g., new areas open up or previously walkable areas are closed off), for best accuracy you should collect new fingerprint paths in the accessible areas and disable the paths in the restricted ones. 


  • Major Structural Modifications: While everyday furniture changes don't affect the magnetic field, major structural renovations - such as modifying heavy steel architecture or relocating massive steel objects like industrial shelving units - can alter the local magnetic fingerprint. If this happens, you only need to re-fingerprint the specific areas that underwent modifications.



Note that in both of the above scenarios, you can also utilize the Mask feature to let the IndoorAtlas algorithms know the new layout of the floor.  This allows you to remotely fix a changed layout. 


Also, if radio (BLe,Wi-Fi) undergo changes, you can simply update the information to IndoorAtlas by uploading or specifying the new radio IDs and locations using our CMS.  


No-Fingerprinting Deployments 


If you are utilizing a no-fingerprinting deployment, magnetic mapping and re-mapping are not required. Note that this approach still leverages IndoorAtlas's advanced sensor fusion - combining radio information (beacons or Wi-Fi), Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR), barometric information and geometric constraints (such as walking masks), only lacking the accuracy-improving effect of magnetic tracking. In this scenario, maintenance simply involves ensuring your radio infrastructure remains operational and correctly configured in the IndoorAtlas platform. If the venue's physical topology changes, you can simply use the mask feature to let the IndoorAtlas algorithms know the new layout.



See also