Indoors Dataset vs SDE Synced Floor Aware Layers

[LeviCecil]

So my organization has been creating floor aware maps using the streamlined Indoors schema since Field Maps was in beta. We have multiple maps with Units, Facilities and Levels layers and everything works. These layers live in a production sde and are synced twice daily with CAD and attribute updates from our IBM Tririga system through FME workbenches. We now have an Indoors Maps license and want to create a new facilities dashboard with this data and other related Tririga tables with facilities data. My question is, do we have to have an Indoors dataset to make this work? If we create one inside the sde, will this contain copies of the synced layers, or will they just essentially move locations? We set up this system to strictly avoid making copies of our core data. We have Sites, Units, Levels and Facilities, but we don't have a Details dataset. Is the last one required?

[Andrew-Bowne · Accepted solution]

As long as your layers adhere to the data model, you should be ok.  There are certain fields with certain data types that are required which are all spelled out in the Indoors Information Model.

Details aren't required, however they provide excellent visual context.

Having said that - If you implement the indoors information model and move your data into it - you'll really save yourself a lot of headaches in  the long run.  You can add additional fields as necessary.