Thanks to the considerable investments of large technological companies, Augmented Reality is becoming an essential variable for corporate business. Implementing this technology allows not only to obtain a better user experience but also to increase sales and aspects related to communication. But what concrete applications can be made with augmented Reality in a working context? Let’s see them together.
Augmented Reality: What It Is
When we refer to the term Augmented Reality (RA, or AR if we use the English acronym for Augmented Reality), we identify that technology that can reproduce, from your smartphone or electronic device, three-dimensional elements and display them in real-time from the screen by superimposing on a natural environment. With compatible devices or platforms, three-dimensional objects can be reproduced in a physical environment, projecting them with accurate dimensions and observing them directly from the smartphone.
The term “augmented reality” explains how an inanimate object is forced to be reproduced in a natural context, be it a floor, a piece of furniture, or any element on which that particular product can be placed after purchase. Using this technology increases the shopping experience, as the customer can have a clearer idea of the size and how that product can relate to the reference environment.
Augmented Reality: How It Works
The functioning of augmented Reality requires some key elements, such as software compatible with three-dimensional technologies and a camera and sensors with which to position the object to be projected in the environment. The software will load the three-dimensional model of the object to be projected and send it to the camera software so it can be cast into the surrounding environment.
Not all augmented reality technologies have the same accuracy and quality of models; for this reason, it is advisable to use a reactive and straightforward system to obtain the best results. In many cases, we are led to think that augmented Reality is only helpful for projecting three-dimensional objects. Still, it is also possible to convey audio tracks, texts, and anything that can improve the user experience.
Augmented Reality: Use In Corporate Business
Augmented Reality within a business context can be instrumental in various sectors. Although each user is linked to improving the user experience, companies can derive benefits in multiple contexts. Five categories can be identified: training, development, increased sales, marketing, and communication.
Training
One of the most exciting applications is employee training. Implementing a technology of this kind allows human resources to be trained constantly, with refresher courses or simply through three-dimensional instructions. Having a tool available that can modify Reality to make it educational guarantees faster and less tedious learning for operators.
Development
AR is also beneficial for product or service development. Thanks to this tool, workflows can be organized in the best possible way, guaranteeing real-time collaboration with other colleagues and testing the product as if it had already been completed. Augmented Reality is not limited to just viewing the three-dimensional rendered product. Still, with the most advanced technologies, it also allows you to interact with them, for example, by enabling the user to pick up the virtual object, move it, turn it, disassemble and reassemble it, change its characteristics and shape, effectively generating a much faster workflow process.
Increase In Sales
One of the essential uses of augmented Reality is the one linked to the sale of products and services. Customers can interact with this technology before purchasing, verifying that the product complies with their expectations. By guaranteeing users more significant interaction, they will be more easily induced to complete the purchase since they will have found a good experience of use, increasing their trust in the product and in the company that distributes it.
Marketing
In addition to the sales aspect, Augmented Reality is also used for marketing strategies. With a versatile tool, you can develop marketing strategies for advertising, promotion, or simply involving users. A simple business card can become a much more engaging three-dimensional experience, guaranteeing the company a brand identity that is essential for success over time. Planning a marketing strategy with augmented Reality approaches the public is less trivial, the latter now saturated with the canonical sales strategies of traditional companies.
Communication
In addition to employee training, augmented Reality can be beneficial for companies to improve communication between departments. Communication aspects, whether between employees, the company, and customers or companies, are essential to facilitate the production and advertising of the services or products created. Thanks to the possibility of implementing audio and video, it will be possible to manage the interactions between the various development areas in real-time, minimizing the loss of time usually present in more traditional communication.
Augmented Reality: The Advantages In Product Development
Among the uses listed above is product or service development, but what specific advantages can be obtained from augmented Reality in this sector?
Costs:
Relying on an augmented reality system guarantees lower service or product development costs. The ability to create a three-dimensional model gives you a definite idea of the object being produced, eliminating the costs associated with physical models. Costs are reduced due to the fewer physical resources needed to create the models and the hours of work employees would otherwise have to incur to make them. Every company has the goal of minimizing the waste of time. With augmented Reality, this is also possible in product development.
Risk Reduction:
AR also provides substantial benefits in product development because it minimizes risks. Having a detailed picture of what the finished product will look like will significantly eliminate some development risks, ensuring greater certainty of success for both employees and the investment to be undertaken.
Development Reversals:
The strength of augmented Reality is found in its ability to predict product development. Testing the designed service or product through technology allows you to review and re-evaluate some design choices in advance if necessary. Evaluating the critical points in advance makes the creation experience more enjoyable, being able to intervene quickly without investing significant resources.
Collaboration And Data Exchange:
Augmented Reality can be used to enhance collaboration with other areas of the business by leveraging joint access to relevant data. The production of a service or product is only sometimes entrusted to a single section of the company, which induces department managers to communicate with each other periodically. With augmented Reality, you can get better interaction and share the most important data quickly, limiting misunderstandings.
Error Identification:
Companies use augmented Reality for product development to exploit its optimization through the early identification of errors. Being able to understand the critical issues of a product quickly speeds up the improvement process. The projection in the space of a particular object helps technicians evaluate a product’s weak and strong points, enhancing or eliminating them as needed.
Clients:
Although it is one of the most advanced aspects of developing a product, it is important to underline how augmented Reality can help visualize the object in the pre-launch phase to partners, external departments, and customers. A test phase before producing the complete product helps to develop it best.
Augmented Reality: How To Implement It In Your Business
Taking note of the potential and advantages of implementing augmented Reality within the corporate context, it is interesting to understand how to insert it into one’s work activity best. Although precise characteristics define the technology, not all AR systems are identical, especially considering the different application areas. However, three conditions can be developed that are consistently effective, specifically: simplicity, digitization, and needs.
Simplicity:
Augmented Reality has different implementation methods, going from the simplest to the most advanced. Those approaching AR for the first time need to use a gradual process, starting with training and then to convey the technology to more complex solutions such as development and marketing. Relying on third-party companies could, in this case, be an advantage for creating an already functioning infrastructure.
Digitization:
Not all companies have a degree of digitization that allows them to implement augmented Reality independently. For this to be verified, it is advisable to calculate a digital test to understand the level of digitization of your company and the individual needs. Making digitization natural for your employees and target customers is not easy, but it has become necessary in a historical period where technological progress is ever faster.
Needs:
Each technology, whether based on augmented Reality or different systems, must be related to the needs of the company and customers. Developing a particularly complex system or one that is difficult to use by potential users is an investment with few prospects. Proportioning the technologies available to business needs is the first step in obtaining tangible results.
Conclusions
Augmented Reality can be implemented in corporate business in several ways. Management of training, development, sales, marketing, and communication can be improved by using tools suitable for your needs. Checking your company’s degree of digitization helps you understand the margins for improvement and the most relevant critical issues.
Also Read: The Five Advantages Of Digital Signature For Professionals