Augmented Reality: Why Every Organization Needs a Strategy

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have been around since the 1960s; it wasn’t until Facebook acquired Oculus Rift in 2014 that we saw the hype surrounding AR and VR take off. Since then, companies like Google and Microsoft have entered the space, along with nearly every major smartphone manufacturer. This has led to an explosion of interest from both businesses and consumers alike. In fact, according to IDC research, worldwide shipments of AR and VR headsets are expected to exceed 27 million units in 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 62 percent through 2022.

Many organizations are eager to add augmented reality to their marketing mix, from retailers and restaurants to museums and sports stadiums. But with so many options available and even more questions about how best to implement them, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s what you need to know about augmented reality as a strategy and how you can use it to boost your business in 2023.

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality is the projection of computer-generated images and data on top of the user’s real-world view. Augmented reality devices have the power to provide amazing interactive experiences that augment our perception of reality. This allows businesses, educators, and other organizations to use augmented reality technologies to create exciting new products and services.

Providing customers with additional experiences related to the products they are already buying is a great way to create brand loyalty. AR can bring companies closer to their consumers by bringing them into new and uncharted dimensions. To fully reap the benefits of AR, companies need to rethink how customers experience their products.

Challenges of developing AR apps

Developing AR apps requires data collection, image scanning, and app development. The process is complex and time-consuming. One of the most difficult aspects of developing a future of Augmented Reality is that you cannot simply upload information to AR; instead, there are many considerations before development can even begin. Here are some challenges:

Data Collection: Before any coding can be done, images need to be taken or uploaded with proper metadata (coordinates on what pixels should be in the background versus what pixels should be interactive). Additionally, each piece of data needs to be organized based on specific tasks within the app’s environment.

Then, they must be fed into algorithms to map how they appear in the physical world. Without this meticulous step-by-step process, anything could happen! With so much work needed to get just one AR experience right, developers may be overwhelmed by all the possibilities.

Image Scanning - without adequate knowledge about how to scan images for use in augmented reality experiences, developers might find themselves stuck trying to figure out how these digital objects should look once placed in real-life settings.

App Development: App developers must consider various platforms to make things more complicated when developing AR content.

For example, some mobile phones don’t support the graphic libraries required for accurate 3D modeling and projection mapping. All of these challenges require extensive research, patience, and creativity to produce a high-quality end product.

Unfortunately, this is where the vast majority of AR applications fail. As such, organizations must develop a strategy that makes sense for them. Once they do, they’ll be able to quickly create immersive, engaging experiences through the power of augmented reality.

To do this successfully, start with creating realistic expectations by considering which audiences would appreciate AR content most. From there, identify your goals and objectives—increasing customer satisfaction or generating leads.

By assessing your goals against potential metrics like engagement level and conversion rate, you’ll be able to measure success after releasing an AR application. If these metrics are not meeting expectations during the early development or testing stages, then pivot accordingly to produce something that achieves your objectives better than before.

How AR is Transforming Every Business?

AR has transformed the user interaction with the new possibilities

AR enables consumers to view the product in its natural habitat, wherever it may be. This allows the consumer to see how the product fits into their life, giving them peace of mind when purchasing. It also makes interacting with other people using that particular product easier and more convenient. AR offers brands new opportunities to showcase their products and interact with customers in person or on-screen. For example, IKEA recently launched its Social Media Campaign app, which uses AR to provide an immersive experience for users

AR helps to improve productivity

One key way AR can be used in the workplace is to improve productivity. AR apps provide information and tools that allow workers to do their jobs better, faster, and more efficiently. This can help marketing by showing off a product’s capabilities or inviting customers to experience it first-hand. However, when creating augmented reality apps for enterprise use, the goal is often to increase worker efficiency rather than spark customer interest. Other important uses of AR in the workplace include enhancing training and giving instructions to factory workers.

AR with Object Recognition offers new Possibilities

AR is most well-known for being used in gaming to help people visualize what it would be like to be in the shoes of their favorite characters. But now, this technology has expanded into every industry imaginable. From flipping a home and providing potential buyers with 3D viewings of the property, to facilitating access to construction projects, augmented reality is redefining how organizations engage with their customers and giving them an edge in their respective industries.

AR encourages you to think outside the box because it doesn’t just provide the user with new information; it also opens up new possibilities that they may not have thought of before. It will become apparent soon enough when business owners adopt AR technology themselves.

AR helps to promote your business

While AR is still in its infancy, it’s growing up fast. It’s not just for marketing and advertising anymore. The number of business-focused applications for AR continues to grow as well. You can use it to assist your employees with tasks in the field, and you can enhance how you communicate with them through messaging services. Those functions that were once considered novelties are now starting to provide value beyond just traditional advertising or marketing purposes, making this an excellent time to start developing your strategy for these newer forms of technology.

Speed up the product installation process

We have created software that speeds up the installation process by making it seamless. The software scans the product and matches it to what the customer has ordered online. This automation, designed to expedite installations, can save valuable installation time and increase worker productivity. Our augmented reality also reduces mistakes in installing products as workers can see exactly where they need to install them.

Maintenance and repair simplified

Maintenance and repair have always been time-consuming tasks. Maintenance schedules are often outdated and result in postponed repairs, which can cause more issues to occur when finally fixed. This can also lead to increased downtime for machines or equipment and the necessity of reactive intervention by the mechanic, which is costlier than scheduled maintenance.

Even those companies with the best maintenance systems face challenges such as limited access to resources and inefficient workflows that make it difficult to track assets.

Accurate inventory requires complex software systems or costly custom-built solutions with hefty implementation costs. Traditional assets are also challenging as they contain information that isn’t updated regularly, preventing you from collecting data accurately across every asset type, customer, or location.

Staff learns quicker and more efficiently

Not only is AR a more cost-effective way to train employees, but it also can be scaled and applied in different ways. The most notable advantage of augmented reality training is the efficiency at which it is delivered.

Users can learn quicker and more efficiently, thereby increasing retention rates over conventional video or slide-based instruction methods. According to our recent study, staff learns 50% faster with augmented reality than in other traditional forms of instruction.

Conclusion

A business that wants to grow must invest in the future. For example, when developing a game-changing innovation, most businesses focus on the time, money, and effort required for the product’s production. But companies often neglect to invest in the design of the package it will arrive in or the fulfillment and marketing strategy around how it will be delivered to consumers.

Technology has created another important component for any business looking to stay competitive — augmented reality (AR). There are four key reasons why every organization needs an AR strategy: increased customer engagement; providing additional functionality; improved conversion rates, and developing consumer awareness.

Unlike VR, AR is highly accessible and much more invisible. This means it can be used without the audience feeling like they’re wearing bulky gear. However, to make the most of this medium for your organization, you’ll need to hire an experienced Mobile App Development Company in the UK to handle everything from strategy to development.