APRIL 20209erberg announced the aggressive goal of one billion VR users just recently. A big need today for businesses is to create the right experience for their customers. The idea is that experienc-es create lifelong memories, while ma-terial goods are replaceable upgradable and have short term impacts. Investing in customer experience is very crucial for brands aiming to create the emotional con-nections that sustain loyalty of a user or buyer, long after the initial buzz of that one new purchase has faded.Today, we are witnessing a heavy shift from prod-uct to experience, powered by digital technologies and across industries. Netflix is pretty much out of the business of DVD rental services, but has retained its value proposition of getting movies to people's homes. And that is at the core of what Virtual Reality and Im-mersive Experiences have to offer. Since most people are already familiar with the gaming applications of the VR technology, here are some current examples of how workplace applications are drawing benefits from VR.Benefits & Applications Across IndustriesVR goes a step further in creating great business sense when the power of experiencing a virtual environment goes into the hands of a creator. As a builder, an en-gineer or architect will be able to simulate designs and save copies of it. The product cycle shortens and cost goes down because of the ability to make faster decisions, and clear information fed into a centralised system. The capability of remapping production lines in virtual environments allows for experimentation without costs, say for a physically repositioning facto-ry machinery. A 3D modelling in a virtual environment allows for the machine operator as well as the whole team to try out different configurations. Savings in ongoing operations are achieved through increased time management because layouts are expe-rienced before they are implemented. This comes with the added benefit of train-ing people with skills to operate heavy machinery without any real risks of physical harm.In the field of aerospace for ex-ample, when you are putting togeth-er a satellite, there is a core and a sys-tem module which when assembled to integrate vertically together gives a clearance of just millimetres between one important part and another. This needs careful precision as well as vis-ibility for the entire team. A VR environment comes in extremely handy when technicians get to prac-tice to perfection before they launch the satellite into outer space. VR also allows for social interaction due to the ability of high speed internet. VR is already in use in the medical field to provide assistance with surgical training, to treat brain damage thorough assessments and rehabilitation. VR for the FutureThe times we are in, it is impossible to predict how ex-actly a technology would play out. Even then, VR is al-ready being put to use in space missions, building cars. e-Commerce models allow their customers' imagination to guide them, as they virtually experience their prod-uct. This has been done by companies, including Lego and IKEA, where you're able to scan a catalog to see what the end product looks like or how it would fit into your room. AR studios' promise of simplicity makes it ac-cessible to more creative minds who could help bridge the experience gap in e-Commerce platforms. With augmented reality, agencies and marketers will be able to create unique experiences for buyers in brick and mortar shops by bringing in a digital virtual element. Creating virtual tours in the store can add an element of fun while allowing buyers to learn more about products or services. For example, Jura has an AR app that allows consumers to try on watches virtually and compare looks. Virtual environment and related experiences allow for people to fully immerse themselves in scenarios that may be intriguing, funny or emotional- above all, it is en-gaging. Businesses can use VR to amplify or express their company's core through services and content that pro-vides people with the `why' of the company, rather than the `what'. Indraneel Ganguli, Senior VP ­ MarketingVR is already in use in the medical field to provide assistance with surgical training, to treat brain damage thorough assessments and rehabilitation
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