Unified Asset Tracking and Navigation at Canterbury Christ Church University
How the Verena Holmes Building became a model for the smart campus
Crowd Connected partnered with Canterbury Christ Church University to unlock new value from their existing digital map, provided by MapsPeople. Focusing on the flagship Verena Holmes Building, the project proved that a single hardware overlay could deliver two distinct benefits: operational asset tracking and indoor positioning.
The Challenge: Getting More Mileage Out of the Map
Known for being ahead of the curve, the university knew their digital maps from MapsPeople were capable of more than just getting people from point A to point B. They had the foundation in place, but they needed to push the technology further. The goal was to leverage their map for two new tools: one that upgraded the student experience, and the other allowing them to keep an eye on valuable campus assets.
“Our campus is quite distributed across the city. It can be daunting for new students… MapsPeople gave us the layering we needed to digitize our floor plans. That was the start.” Gareth Stears, Canterbury Christ Church University
The Solution: One Network, Dual Capability
Building on the foundation of the digital map, Crowd Connected installed a network of wireless, battery-powered sensors that integrate directly with MapsPeople’s solution, MapsIndoors. This installation proved that a single deployment could serve two distinct user groups:
- Staff can now utilize a “God view” of the building to locate critical items such as AV equipment, anatomy dummies, and self-service laptops.
- Future mobile wayfinding apps will be able to provide students and visitors with blue-dot positioning
The Result: Enhanced Security and Efficiency
The implementation is actively driving value in the Verena Holmes Building. Staff are using the system to monitor high-value assets on the map they are already familiar with, reducing search times and preventing loss.
“Crowd Connected handled the positioning sensors and integrated their API with the map from MapsPeople using our existing floor plans. It saved many hours and brought both technologies together efficiently.” Gareth Stears
Future proofing the Campus
Canterbury Christ Church University has transformed their digital map from a static resource into a live operational tool. The pilot also paves the way for future integration with space utilization solutions.
