Location Analytics Without External Wi-Fi? Yes, It’s Possible! Here’s How

With the market for location analytics projected to soar to a staggering USD 82.14 billion by 2033, it has become a game-changer for businesses and organizations of all sizes, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour, streamlining operations, and facilitating informed decision-making. However, the traditional approach to conducting location analytics, which relies on external Wi-Fi networks, can be prohibitively expensive, complex to set up, and potentially intrusive to privacy.

The good news is that there are alternative technologies available that can perform location analytics without the need for external Wi-Fi connectivity. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) are just a few examples, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. However, in this article, we’ll introduce you to the most versatile and scalable location analytics technology that outperforms all its rivals – so buckle up and get ready to learn about this trailblazing location analytics technology and why it is a better alternative to Wi-Fi-dependent alternatives.

Limitations of External Wi-Fi for Location Analytics

Firstly, let’s understand the role of external Wi-Fi in location analytics.  External Wi-Fi networks have historically played a critical role in location analytics, providing a way to track the movements of people or objects within a defined physical space. This is achieved by using Wi-Fi access points to detect Wi-Fi signals emitted by smartphones, wearables, or other Wi-Fi-enabled devices carried by people or attached to objects and fingerprinting positioning. By analyzing the signal strength and location of these devices, businesses can gain insights into customer behavior, foot traffic, and asset management.

For example, a retail store may use external Wi-Fi networks to track customer movements and identify which areas of the store are most frequently visited. This data can be used to optimize product placement, store layout, and staffing. Additionally, by monitoring the duration of customer visits and the frequency of repeat visits, businesses can gain insights into customer engagement and loyalty.

However, relying solely on external Wi-Fi networks for location analytics has some limitations, including the high cost of setting up and maintaining a network, potential privacy concerns, unreliable connectivity, and limited accuracy in crowded environments. At that point, businesses usually find BLE, RFID, and UWB lucrative to supplement or replace external Wi-Fi networks for location analytics.

Why Are Wi-Fi Alternatives for Location Analytics Seeing Underadoption Despite Their Promising Advantages?

While BLE, RFID, and UWB technologies offer some advantages for location analytics over traditional external Wi-Fi networks, they also come with their own unique challenges and limitations that may make them less popular in some scenarios. For instance, BLE technology is fine for indoor and outdoor applications, but its accuracy is limited to a few meters, and it requires users to have Bluetooth enabled on their devices. RFID technology is effective for tracking high-value assets but can be costly to implement on a large scale, and it requires specialized readers to be installed throughout the monitored space. UWB technology provides high accuracy but requires specialized hardware, and it can be affected by interference from other radio signals.

Furthermore, external Wi-Fi networks are widely available and commonly used, making them the default option for many businesses and organizations. Additionally, some companies may already have Wi-Fi networks in place, making it more convenient and cost-effective to use Wi-Fi for location analytics rather than invest in new technology.

But This Is All Set To Change

The limitations of external Wi-Fi and its traditional alternatives have become increasingly apparent in providing comprehensive insights into people’s behaviour within a physical space. Enter Mapsted, a pioneering location technology company with 100+ patents, which has revolutionized location analytics with a hardware-free solution that surpasses the capabilities of both Wi-Fi and its conventional replacements. The world’s most intelligent location technology has finally arrived, and businesses can now gain previously unattainable insights into customer behavior and asset management.

How is Mapsted’s Location Analytics Different?

Mapsted’s location technology is different from external Wi-Fi, beacons, RFID, and UWB in several ways. Firstly, it provides sub-one-meter accuracy, which is 200 times more accurate than traditional GPS and cellular-based services, ensuring superior accuracy in location-based analytics. Secondly, Mapsted’s technology does not require any additional hardware, making it a more cost-effective and infrastructure-light solution.

Moreover, Mapsted’s location analytics platform offers real-time customer insights, allowing businesses to respond promptly to customer needs and stay ahead of competitors. With location-based data analytics, businesses can maximize operational efficiency, productivity, and privacy, creating an easier path to insights.

Mapsted’s advanced machine learning and AI algorithms augment and strengthen data by providing automated recommendations that help businesses improve their operations over time. The platform includes a range of analytics, such as user trajectories, proximity traffic, footfall, heat maps, path analytics, average visit time, and the number of visitors, which help businesses gain comprehensive intelligence and make data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

Location analytics has become an essential tool for businesses and organizations of all sizes, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour, streamlining operations, and facilitating informed decision-making. While traditional approaches to location analytics have relied on external Wi-Fi networks, this can be prohibitively expensive, complex to set up, and potentially intrusive to privacy. However, with Mapsted’s location technology, businesses can now access a bespoke solution that surpasses the capabilities of both Wi-Fi and its conventional replacements. Mapsted’s hardware-free solution provides sub-1-meter accuracy, real-time customer insights, and advanced machine learning and AI algorithms, enabling businesses to maximize operational efficiency and productivity while respecting privacy. 

The world’s most intelligent location technology has arrived, and with it, businesses can gain previously unattainable insights into customer behaviour and asset management, and make data-driven decisions to stay ahead of the competition.

Looking for cutting-edge analytics technology that outperforms external Wi-Fi? Our powerful data engine will propel your business growth to new heights, providing unparalleled insights and opportunities for success. Don’t settle for less, choose Mapsted for next-level location analytics. If you are looking for more information on why Wi-Fi location solutions may not be the best option for your business, please check out our blog entitled Are Wi-Fi Positioning Systems Still Worth Implementing in 2024? and our short video introducing you to Mapsted.