ArcGIS IPS Classic Information Model Toolset

Description

When ArcGIS IPS was first released with ArcGIS Pro 2.9 and ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps 100.13, the IPS data required to enable indoor positioning was stored in an indoor positioning file. This file, an SQLite database, stored IPS data in a non-native ArcGIS format as an attachment to a row in a table called IPS_Positioning, which is part of the IPS information model. The tools that enabled creating and populating the information model were:

• Enable Indoor Positioning
• Generate Indoor Positioning File
• Generate Indoor Positioning File Without Survey

Starting with ArcGIS Pro 3.3 and ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps 200.4, a new information model was introduced in ArcGIS IPS. In this updated model, IPS data is stored in an Indoor Positioning Dataset, which is native to ArcGIS and provides advanced features and improvements over indoor positioning files. New tools were also introduced to create the new model and populate it with the necessary IPS data. The original tools were renamed as Classic within the Indoor Positioning toolbox.

With the release of ArcGIS Pro 3.7 in May 2026, the Classic tools are deprecated and will be removed from ArcGIS IPS starting with ArcGIS Pro 3.8.

Recommendation

Most customers use ArcGIS IPS through ArcGIS applications, such as ArcGIS Indoors Mobile, ArcGIS Field Maps, and ArcGIS Mission, which already run on ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps 200.4 or later and can consume the new information model. These customers will not be impacted.

The impact is low for customers using custom native applications built on ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps 200.3 or earlier. If they want to generate new IPS data or update existing IPS data in the Classic information model, they can do so using ArcPy scripting.

Action needed

Customers who do not need to generate or update IPS data do not have to take any action.

Customers who need access to the latest enhancements in ArcGIS IPS should adopt the new information model. Esri recommends that they upgrade to ArcGIS Pro 3.6 or later. Although the new information model has been available since ArcGIS Pro 3.3, additional features and enhancements introduced in subsequent releases improve positioning accuracy and the overall user experience.

The new and enhanced features are:

• Adaptive radio positioning: Improves positioning performance on low-end Android devices.
• Standing still filter: Stabilizes the blue dot when the user is not moving.
• Geometry-aided IPS: Uses indoor geometry to provide a smoother and more accurate blue dot.

Migrate existing IPS data from the Classic model to the new model using the provided migration tool and workflow. This tool migrates the Classic indoor positioning file to a new IPS positioning dataset that is compatible only with ArcGIS Pro 3.6.

Update applications to ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps 200.4 or later, as earlier versions do not support the new model.

Customers who are not yet able to move to the current version of ArcGIS IPS can continue generating new or updated IPS data using the existing Classic information model. This must be done using ArcPy scripting, as deprecated tools are no longer available in the ArcGIS Pro user interface. Because the Classic information model is supported starting with Native Maps SDKs 100.13, existing custom or ArcGIS applications will continue to operate without requiring action or upgrades.