AR/VR is changing the way enterprises do business -- ready to jump in?

The proliferation of technology has vastly changed the enterprise as we know it. IoT, artificial intelligence, and augmented and mixed reality technologies are being developed at a rapid pace. They have changed the way we work, engage, create and produce products in all industries.

The public has heard a lot about how these emerging technologies are changing the automotive industry, enabling connected and autonomous cars, but the adoption of technology is changing the way each and every industry does business.

Think about the healthcare industry, where AR/VR is expected to have very big impacts in enhancing the success of operations and improvement of care. Imagine a surgeon in the operating room who is able to get vital information on the patient in real time via a headset instead of having to look away from his work and potentially missing something important.

Construction is another space where many expect AR to play a key role in enhancing efficiencies of the business. Imagine a project manager or construction worker being able to step onto a worksite and see where everything is supposed to go during each phase of the building process — before bringing it to life — or during the construction phase being able to ensure that every nut and bolt is exactly where it should be down to the micron. Think of the possibilities! It is these types of technologies, especially AR/VR, which will change the way the enterprises and industries work, making things faster, more efficient and, dare I say, engaging!

So, where should an enterprise start when thinking about adopting AR/VR technology? The approach should be as if you were adopting any type of new tool for your business — there must be a long-term plan set in place around an area of business that is core to your success to change or enhance.

Enterprises should not be misled by the headlines around AR/VR in the gaming world. Implementing AR/VR is not for play; these are serious tools for enhancing all aspects of a business, from elevating the capabilities of the workforce to the customer experience, and the implementation of them into any business model should be treated as such.

One best practice would be to bring AR/VR into the wider digital transformation program. This allows the enterprise to focus on key problems in their business and choose products and services that truly address those specific areas and make life simpler, more engaging and even more collaborative for employees.

As enterprises continue to implement new technologies, new doors open for even more innovation. Look for AR to be linked with another new acronym: AI, but in this case not artificial intelligence — but augmented intelligence. This will allow the enterprise to provide employees what they need based on their personal work objectives, style and, importantly, the context of the task that they are performing and organized goals. Additionally, look for VR to impact video conferencing and collaborative work spaces. As an enterprise grows and the workforce becomes global, VR will be used to connect internal teams for more engaging collaboration sessions or even customer meetings.

Innovation in enterprise technology is not slowing down, and it is improving the way we work at all levels of the business. With AR/VR technologies, enterprises can take advantage of enriched experiences and groundbreaking applications of tech that enhance the business in every way.

Are you ready to take the plunge into virtual or augmented reality for your business?

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