Came across a location mapping service for the inside of structures aimed at helping visitors navigate a large footprint. The service and applications is called PointInside and their mission is to map the indoor world. Very interesting, especially for a component based retailer like a Home Depot or an A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts.
There are two types of shoppers in these environments. The mission-based shopper and the wanderer. Some Saturday's in Home Depot, I am the MBS and others I am the Wanderer. It depends on my frame of mind and what is happening that day in my life. For mission-based shopping excursions, an application like this would come in handy to help me navigate an environment I am not used to shopping or for a unique item.
While I am sure this app is still in early phase development, I like the mapping feature, but I would love to see a product/part based search feature to tell me exactly where I can find a widget inside of a big-box environment. The department level mapping is ok for a first or second time visitor to a retail location, but once you get to know the store, that is old news. Also, having the app tied into a service-call environment inside a of a big-box location would be cool, as well. How many times have you been in a Home Depot or other big-box and needed some help with nobody to be found?
I was intrigued enough to write about this application and think it has some great utilitarian value. May even recommend it to a few clients.
