In this work, some inaccuracies and limitation of prior indentation theory, which is based on the deformation theory of plasticity and experimental observations, are first investigated. Then effects of major material properties on the configuration of indentation load-deflection curve are examined via incremental plasticity theory based finite element analyses. It is confirmed that subindenter deformation and stress-strain distribution from the deformation theory of plasticity are quite dissimilar to those from incremental theory of plasticity. We finally suggest the optimal data acquisition location, where the strain gradient is the least and the effect of friction is negligible. This data acquisition point increases the strain range by a factor of five.