Overview
Preferred Entrances help visitors reach a destination through an entrance you choose. Assign up to three Access Point locations to a destination in the CMS. Wayfinding then uses the reachable entrance that provides the shortest complete walking route.
For example, you could assign a visitor entrance to a building or several entrances that serve the same destination.
At a glance
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preferred Entrances | Select up to three Access Point locations on the same map. Adding entrances requires wayfinding to be enabled. |
| Require a preferred entrance: On | The default for a newly configured destination. If none of its available preferred entrances provides a complete route, visitors receive an error instead of a route. |
| Require a preferred entrance: Off | Wayfinding still tries the preferred entrances first. If none provides a complete route, it tries the normal route to the destination. |
How do Preferred Entrances work?
For a trip starting outside the destination's building, wayfinding checks the walk to each preferred entrance and the remaining walk to the destination. It chooses the shortest complete route and skips entrances it cannot route through. Selection order does not set entrance priority.
Visitors see an entrance step in their directions, such as Enter through North Entrance, with a door icon. The map also highlights the entrance with a door badge.
If a trip starts inside the destination's building, wayfinding uses the direct indoor route. Preferred Entrances apply to Concept3D walking routes, including the walking portion from parking. They do not change cycling, transit, or third-party directions.
Prepare your Access Point locations
Each entrance must be a location with its Type set to Access Point on the same map as the destination.
For help creating the entrance location and setting its Type, see Creating A New Location. Choose Access Point from the Type options.
- Create or open the location representing the entrance in the CMS.
- Set Type to Access Point and use a clear name visitors will recognize, such as North Entrance.
- Place the pin on an outdoor path right at the door.
- Set Floor Level to the level of that outdoor path.
- Save and publish the entrance using your usual CMS workflow.
The route needs a connected path through the entrance into the building. Placing an Access Point pin does not create that path. Contact Partner Success if the routing paths need review.
Assign Preferred Entrances to a destination
- Open the destination location in the CMS.
- Find Preferred Entrances.
- Use Search for an Access Point... to find and select an entrance. Repeat as needed, up to three entrances.
- Choose whether to keep Require a preferred entrance On or turn it Off. The option appears after you select an entrance.
- Save and publish your changes.
- Test directions from several starting points to confirm visitors reach the intended entrance and destination.
Access Point locations cannot have their own Preferred Entrances.
Require a preferred entrance: On
Require a preferred entrance: Off
Update Preferred Entrances in bulk
- In Location Management, select the destinations to update.
- Open Bulk Edit and choose Preferred Entrances.
- Choose an operation below and select entrances when needed.
- Save, review the result, and publish the changes through your usual workflow.
| Operation | Result |
|---|---|
| Add | Adds selected entrances while keeping existing assignments. Each destination is limited to three. |
| Replace all | Replaces existing assignments with the entrances you select. |
| Remove selected | Removes only the entrances you select. |
| Clear all | Removes all preferred entrance assignments from the selected destinations. |
Selected Access Point locations are skipped. Review any failed or conflicting updates before continuing. When wayfinding is disabled, existing assignments can be removed, but new entrances cannot be added.
FAQs
Why can't I find an entrance in the selector?
Check that the location's Type is Access Point and that it belongs to the same map as the destination.
Why do directions show an entrance error?
When a preferred entrance is required and none of the available entrances provides a complete route, directions show an error. Check pin placement, Floor Level, and the connected paths into the building. Test accessible routes separately. Turn the requirement Off only if a normal route is an acceptable alternative.
Why can't I delete an entrance?
The CMS prevents deletion of an Access Point used as a preferred entrance by a published destination. Remove or replace those assignments and publish the affected destinations before deleting the entrance.
Tips for Success
- Use names that match signs visitors will see on site.
- Test from different approaches to the building, including accessible routes.
- Use the requirement setting deliberately: keep it On when visitors need a route through one of the assigned entrances.
- Review entrance assignments when access points or routing paths change.