How we collect data
How It Works
Turning Footfall Into Actionable Insights
At Bumbee Labs, we transform invisible visitor signals into measurable insights that help businesses, cities, and venues make smarter decisions. Our method is built on over a decade of research, validated by academia, approved by data authorities, and trusted by customers across retail, malls, cities, and transport hubs.
Step 1 – Capturing Signals
Every modern smartphone sends out Wi-Fi signals (7–15 times per minute) to locate available networks.
- These signals are anonymous by design.
- No personal data is stored.
- GDPR compliance has been confirmed by the Swedish Data Inspection Authority and in a European court of law.
We use existing Wi-Fi access points in your environment (store, mall, transport hub, or city center). In most cases, no new hardware is required. For some projects, we also complement Wi-Fi with cellular network data (4G/5G) or 3D optical sensors for added precision.
Step 2 – Secure Cloud Processing
Signals are transferred to our secure, cloud-based engine. Before anything is stored, the data goes through multiple cleaning and anonymization steps:
- Filtering out staff devices, stationary devices, and randomized MAC addresses.
- Applying advanced statistical modeling to ensure high accuracy.
- Labeling, classifying, and preparing the data for analysis.
All processing happens in Europe, with data hosted on GDPR-compliant infrastructure.
Step 3 – Data Enrichment & Intelligence
Once processed, the data becomes a privacy-safe dataset ready for analysis. It can be combined with external sources such as:
- Sales data (to measure conversion)
- Weather data (to explain peaks and dips)
- Event calendars & marketing campaigns (to measure real impact)
This creates a multidimensional understanding of visitor behavior.
Step 4 – Insights & Dashboards
Through Explorer, our business intelligence tool, or via our open API, you get instant access to:
- Visitor counts & dwell time
- Paths, flows & zone correlations
- Peaks & lows (by hour, day, week, month)
- Capture rates & passers-by
- Anchor points, hot & cold zones
- Alarms for bottlenecks or crowding
Dashboards are customizable per stakeholder – from city planners to retail managers to transport operators.
Step 5 – Action & Optimization
With reliable insights, you can:
- Plan ahead with confidence – optimize staffing, opening hours, or event planning.
- Increase revenues – fact-based rent levels, ad pricing, and store/tenant mix.
- Improve experiences – reduce bottlenecks, manage flows, and prevent crowding.
Save costs – optimize maintenance, logistics, and energy usage based on actual occupancy.
Why Our Method Stands Out
- Proven: 10+ years of research, validated by customers across industries.
- Accurate: Robust extrapolation methods give high accuracy even in large, complex areas.
- Compliant: GDPR approved by authorities and confirmed in European court.
- Scalable: Works from a single store to entire cities.
Cost-efficient: Leverages existing infrastructure – minimal or no extra hardware needed.
A Smarter Way to Understand Visitors
From shopping malls optimizing tenant mix, to cities planning safer streets, to transport hubs reducing congestion, our technology provides the facts you need to act.
With Bumbee Labs, visitor data isn’t just numbers – it’s the key to better decisions, improved efficiency, and stronger results.