Multi-level Maps Update
- Elliot Dooleysmith
What are Multi-level Maps?
Introduced in v2022.1, released in February 2022, the Multi-level map is a major update to the Maps feature available in ResourceXpress.
Until v2021.8, only 1 map could be created per floor. A natural progression from this, to increase features and useability as well as due to popular demand, Maps now supports multi-level navigation.
This allows a map profile to be created for any location level, from Site, Building, Floor and Zone
New Marker Types
To support multi-level maps and navigation new marker types are available.
Historically, only Resource Profiles could be added to a Map, however, with this update, there are now 4 marker types that can be added to any map.
Navigational markers, called Maplinks
Resource Markers
These are the standard markers that indicate a resource within the ResourceXpress system.
These can be any Space type, such as Room, Desk, Huddle space, Parking or any other custom spaces that you might have.
These will show green, red or amber depending on their active status (free, busy, awaiting check-in).
In this update, there is a new style marker available that will allow for some additional features, see below for more information on The New Marker Style.
Maplinks (Navigational markers)
Maplinks allow users to quickly navigate to other maps or levels by clicking on a marker on the map.
These markers can be placed on any map to any other map meaning users can quickly jump from one location to another.
A great example of navigational maps is large sites or campuses that have multiple buildings.
Having an overview map with links to any building is a quick seamless way for users to navigate between different locations.
Another example, placing a link to the next floor over the stairs or elevators on the Map.
Building markers
Navigational markers for buildings act slightly differently from the others.
Firstly, all other level Maplinks will display a tooltip with their location name in bold and their parent location below, as seen in this example. Click this marker will immediately take you to that location.
Building markers, however, will display their location name in bold and the number of floors they have underneath. When you click a building marker you will be shown a list of all the available floors, from here you can select any floor to navigate to, or the building level itself.
URL Popup markers
The URL Popup marker is a link to display any web-accessible content.
The URL will display in a popup window over the map, an “Open in New Tab” option is also available.
This “Open in New Tab” option is by default set to No.
Non-Interactive markers
Non-Interactive markers are simple labels with an icon, they do not have any interactive functionality.
They can be used to indicate any noteworthy locations, such as fire escapes, restrooms and refreshment facilities.
Additional features & UI updates
In this update, you will find many new features and design tweaks.
New Marker Style
update
This is an opt-in UI update.
Instruction on how to enable this new style and it’s additional features is detailed below.
We have updated the classic pin drop resource marker style for a clearer and more modern aesthetic.
The new marker has an updated shape along with an always visible name label, allowing users to easily find the correct resource.
The name labels can easily be hidden using the show/hide tooltip button.
Small markers & hidden tooltip/label
New Feature
Along with the updated style, the new markers have an optional smaller version, based on the zoom level, as well as the option to hide the tooltip/label either by space type or individual resources.
Floor Navigation
Update
The floor navigation has been updated with a new style to offer users an easier understanding of the navigational menu.
Using the Levels button, found in the bottom right of the map, users can clearly see the floor structure of the building.
Level Navigation
New Feature
To help users quickly navigate through multi-level maps new navigational links can be found in the banner across the top of the screen.
The currently selected location is shown at the top (Open Workspace in the above example), the locations hierarchy is displayed underneath.
Any location that also has a map is shown as a button that will navigate the user to view its map.
History & Back
New feature
To help users navigate the new multi-level map environment a new History and Back feature are available.
As a user navigates through maps a History button will appear in the bottom left corner of the map.
Selecting the large button will display a full list of previous locations the user has visited, in chronological order. Selecting any of the locations listed will return the user back to the selected location. In a similar way to how a web browser history works, the history list will be updated, removing any subsequently listed locations.
Using the back arrow, on the left of the History button will allow users to quickly navigate back a single step.
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