The 4 Key Components of Enterprise VR
As virtual reality solutions continue to increase in functionality and affordability, more and more companies are considering using VR for a variety of enterprise use cases. From skill and interaction training to interactive design and customer visualization, VR is proving to be a valuable technology addition to businesses across industries. However, many teams considering adopting VR for the enterprise don’t have a full understanding of what is required to setup and run a VR solution. In this post we go beyond simply acquiring some headsets and look at what enterprise VR really requires to be successful.
Hardware
When most people think “virtual reality” they immediately think of one of the many VR headsets available for purchase from companies like HTC and Oculus. In the enterprise VR space, teams first need to consider which headset best suits their particular use case. If high quality is required and having cables running to the headset isn’t an issue, a tethered solution may be the best way to go. For use cases that require users to move around freely and where quality isn’t the highest priority, an all-in-one solution may be better. However, beyond the headset itself teams also need to consider what other hardware may be required – for example fairly powerful computers for tethered headsets, room tracking solutions, controllers, and interactive accessories to improve the VR experience.
Software
While hardware is the most visible aspect of VR, it is useless without strong software to run on it and create a valuable virtual reality experience for users. Once a full hardware solution has been chosen, teams need to strongly consider the software side of VR. While plenty of VR games and app stores exist for easy entertainment downloads, the enterprise software space is much more difficult to navigate. We have found that for most enterprise use cases, off-the-shelf quality VR software simply doesn’t exist and teams will either need to commission a custom VR app or customize an existing app environment with new content and flows. This is often the most difficult and time-consuming step in VR deployment for enterprises due to the uniqueness required for most solutions.
Training
A unique challenge of implementing a VR solution in an enterprise environment is ensuring that end users actually know how to use it effectively. Since VR hardware and software both require setup and often have different interaction methods than 2D software, making sure employees and customers know what to do is more difficult than simply handing them a headset and providing basic instructions. Teams that want to deploy VR solutions need to make sure they allocate the time and resources for one-on-one training in proper use of VR headsets, accessories, and apps as well as providing clear direction on expectations for program outcomes. We have found that companies that dedicate a VR expert to training end users see the most success and least friction with their VR deployments.
Operations
The final component of VR programs for enterprise is the one that is most often overlooked: operations. Teams wishing to deploy VR outside of small test environments need to consider how they will handle distribution of hardware and software, especially for remote teams. And as with any device that is worn and used regularly, VR headsets require cleaning and disinfection not only to prevent the potential spread of disease, but also to ensure end users actually want to use VR. Headsets and accessories also sometimes fail for various reasons and need to be repaired or serviced. New users may have difficulty setting up VR solutions and require tech support. And maintaining secure control of both information and deployed devices requires planning ahead. Teams that don’t consider how they will handle these operations items often find themselves overwhelmed by VR once they scale past a few devices.
With all of these requirements, it might seem like VR is troublesome to deploy in business settings. But the good news is that all of these issues can be solved by partnering with VR experts who understand the unique challenges of deploying and managing VR in corporate environments. Concannon Business Consulting has developed a strong network of VR partners to address even the most demanding business VR needs, and we have a track record of working with leading businesses to deploy successful VR solutions. You can learn more about our VR solutions here or contact us today to see how we can help.
