GSS Partners with Mayo Clinic and SMU Alumnus to Transform Floor Plan Management Using GIS

In January 2025, GeoSpatial Services at SMUMN (Saint Mary's University of Minnesota) kicked off an exciting pilot project with the Mayo Clinic, aimed at exploring the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for updating and managing floor plans. This project represents an important step forward in modernizing how physical space data is handled and is focused on evaluating the use of ArcGIS Indoors for improving the accuracy and efficiency of floor plan management.

This collaboration between GSS SMUMN and Mayo Clinic highlights the impact of Saint Mary’s graduates in the field of GIS and facilities management. Notably, Tom Walker, a Saint Mary’s alumnus now serving as the Facilities Management Systems Coordinator at Mayo Clinic. He, along with his colleague, Anne Morris and others at Mayo, are contributing to this initiative. Their expertise in spatial data integration and digital mapping is enhancing facility operations, underscoring the strong connection between Saint Mary’s academic programs and industry leaders like Mayo Clinic.

Key Objectives of the Project The pilot project has several key goals, all designed to test and refine the process of integrating GIS technology into floor plan management:

1. Evaluating Data Transfer: One of the main objectives is to assess how existing floor plans in CAD format can be effectively transferred into the ArcGIS Indoors system, allowing for better spatial data management and visualization.

2. Learning and Adaptation: GeoSpatial Services will work closely with Mayo Clinic to understand their current workflows, ensuring the solution is tailored to meet their unique needs and standards for managing indoor spaces.

3. Updating and Improving Floor Plans: The project will also involve updating existing floor plans to ensure they are accurate and up to date, ultimately enabling better space management and utilization.

4. Quality Assurance and Control: To ensure the highest standards, GeoSpatial Services will carry out quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) on the data being transferred. This process will verify that the new system adheres to established data standards, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Why ArcGIS Indoors? ArcGIS Indoors is an innovative GIS platform designed to improve how indoor spaces are managed, providing tools to visualize, analyze, and update floor plans with ease. For this pilot, the goal is to explore the potential benefits of ArcGIS Indoors, which include enhanced data accessibility, real-time updates, and greater collaboration in managing complex spaces.

Looking Toward the Future: This project is just the beginning. As GeoSpatial Services continues to work alongside Mayo Clinic, both teams will assess the success of the pilot, refine workflows, and explore ways to expand the use of GIS technology in indoor space management. The outcome of this project could open the door to broader applications across various industries, setting the stage for a more efficient and data-driven approach to managing physical spaces.

Stay tuned as GeoSpatial Services at SMUMN and Mayo Clinic work together to test the future of floor plan management through GIS.