Applying Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the modern tools enterprise businesses are using today for more effective promotion. AR technology bridges the gap between the real world and the virtual world by superimposing virtual objects and information on a prospective customer’s real space, improving their understanding and appreciation of the product. AR allows your customer to see the product from all angles and even test the product before buying. This means you can offer an easy-to-understand, interactive visual presentation anywhere.
In addition to effective business promotion, enterprise Augmented Reality has many other tangible benefits. It can boost productivity, cut costs, enhance training, and more.
As a software development company, we have worked with various types of business and created a variety of AR solutions for them. We know the possibilities for using Augmented Reality in business are vast and varied. Let’s explore some of the ways companies use AR to transform their operations.
Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality: Key Differences
Augmented Reality Enterprise Use Cases
How to Integrate AR into Your Business
Challenges of AR Integration in Enterprise Business
Future Trends for Augmented Reality in Enterprise
How HQSoftware Can Help Your Business Leverage AR Technologies
Augmented Reality is a technology that overlays digital elements onto the real world, blending the physical and virtual environments seamlessly.
Here’s how it works: the camera on a device captures live footage of the surroundings, and the AR software processes this input in real time, adding virtual objects or information to the scene. The result is a modified version of reality that you can view through the device’s screen.
For example, in an enterprise setting, Augmented Reality can be used to enhance employee training by overlaying interactive instructions on real equipment. A technician can use AR glasses to see virtual diagrams or step-by-step instructions while working on machinery. This makes training more efficient and easy, without the need for physical manuals or constant supervision.
Various devices can be used to interact with AR, the most common being smartphones. There are AR-enabled helmets and glasses. It’s possible that in the future, AR lenses will replace glasses, allowing for an almost seamless interaction with Augmented Reality.
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Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the difference between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Both technologies are constantly in the spotlight, talked about in the media, discussed online. So what is the difference between VR and AR?
AR technology enhances the real world by overlaying digital information onto it, allowing users to interact with both physical and virtual elements simultaneously. This technology keeps users grounded in their actual environment while adding digital enhancements. On the other hand, VR creates a completely immersive digital environment, transporting users to a different reality altogether.
The key distinction lies in the level of immersion and the relationship with the real world. AR supplements reality, while VR replaces it entirely. This fundamental difference leads to varied use cases and hardware requirements. AR solutions typically use smartphone cameras, enabling users to see the real world with digital overlays. VR relies on opaque headsets that block out the physical environment, creating a fully digital experience.
In terms of applications, enterprise Augmented Reality finds extensive use in business settings for tasks such as remote assistance, training, and data visualization in real-world contexts. Augmented Reality in enterprise excels in scenarios requiring real-world context, while VR is better suited for applications needing complete immersion, such as advanced simulations or virtual tours.
The table below will help you see the differences in more detail.
| Aspect | Augmented Reality | Virtual Reality |
| Environment | Enhances real world with digital overlays | Creates a fully immersive digital environment |
| User awareness | Users remain aware of their physical surroundings | Users are isolated from the physical world |
| Hardware | Transparent displays, smartphones, AR glasses | VR headsets |
| Immersion level | Partial (blends real and virtual) | Full (entirely virtual) |
| Interaction | Interact with both real and virtual objects | Interact only with virtual objects |
| Typical use cases | Remote assistance, data visualization, enterprise Augmented Reality projects | Simulations, virtual tours, immersive gaming |
| Mobility | Users can typically move freely in the real world | Often limited to a defined physical space |
| Real-world integration | High (directly integrates with physical environment) | Low (typically separate from real world) |
| Business application | AR for enterprise enhances existing workflows | VR creates separate, immersive environments |
Companies around the world are increasingly using Augmented Reality to optimize their workflows, reduce logistics and operational costs, and improve the efficiency of various departments such as marketing, sales, customer service, production, and more.
Let’s explore some cases where companies in the corporate sector have successfully implemented AR and reaped the benefits.
Having partnered with numerous businesses to create tailored AR solutions, HQSoftware’s expertise enables us to help companies leverage Augmented Reality to its fullest potential.
One of our customers was a European provider of workforce mobility solutions for manufacturing and industrial companies. We developed for them a cross-platform mobile app that allows users to create and play back interactive AR repair and service guides.
To create a guide, users take a photo of the equipment, which is processed by Metaio SDK for image recognition. They can then overlay 3D objects, like tools and arrows, onto the camera view to illustrate each repair step. Users can also add text, images, and videos for more clarity. During playback, the app recognizes the equipment and guides the user through the steps.
If the camera loses position, the app notifies the user to adjust it. If the process gets stuck or any parts of the equipment need replacing, the user can submit a maintenance request. A technical expert will then contact them to help resolve the issue.
As another example, let’s look at an Augmented Reality application developed for Hyundai. Its main goal was to make the user guide more convenient. The Hyundai Virtual Guide app allows car owners to use a smartphone or tablet to get information on repairs, maintenance and features of their vehicle.
How does it work? Instead of a paper manual, users can point the device’s camera at the relevant parts of the vehicle to view on-screen instructions. The app helps the user quickly understand the operation of various systems and learn how to properly care for the car. It also shows step-by-step videos and interactive tips to solve common problems. Hyundai Virtual Guide simplifies vehicle maintenance and makes it easier to interact with your vehicle in a more intuitive and accessible way.
Every business wants to improve customer engagement and increase sales. Reactive Reality AG has achieved this goal in cooperation with HQSoftware. Together we delivered a mobile app with a virtual fitting room that enables brands and retailers to increase sales and user engagement.
The HQSoftware team developed a mobile app for iOS and Android that allows online shoppers to take photos of themselves. Users take a series of photos from various angles (above, middle and below) to make sure their body fits in the camera frame and is centered. This is necessary to create a realistic avatar that will allow online shoppers to virtually try on different outfits before purchasing.
To ensure smooth performance and reliable avatar generation, our team designed the app to send data to the content service without loss, even with poor mobile or Wi-Fi connections.
Virtual try-on extends beyond clothing; it encompasses a wide range of products, including accessories, cosmetics, and even eyewear. For example, Warby Parker, an American eyewear brand, has decided to upend traditional retail with Augmented Reality—and it has succeeded!
Utilizing the face-mapping technology on Apple’s iPhone, the Warby Parker app includes a “virtual fitting” feature that allows shoppers to see how the glasses will look on them using Augmented Reality. A shopper simply needs to download the app, select a pair of frames, and then swipe down to activate a “virtual fitting” that will open the front-facing camera and put the glasses on their face.
Augmented Reality in enterprise is changing design and modeling, allowing users to visualize complex projects in real-world settings. AR technology is helping companies and customers better understand facility layouts and future projects.
HQSoftware has developed effective AR solutions to enhance design processes in industries such as real estate. For example, our customer from Norway received a fully working AR application that allows users to visualize future construction on a physical site. Using GPS, 3D models of buildings can be studied from afar, up close or even from the water. This AR solution helped the customer increase their investment by 42%.
The automotive industry is also leveraging Augmented Reality. For instance, Ford uses AR in their design process to overlay virtual 3D models onto physical vehicle prototypes. This allows designers to visualize design elements in real time, enabling rapid iterations and more efficient decision-making.
By using AR, Ford has achieved significant results, including reduced design time and improved team collaboration, which has helped streamline the entire development process.
Even though Škoda is one of the world’s oldest car makers, it embraces the power of modern technologies. It uses AR technology to support logistics at its Mladá Boleslav plant. AR projections help workers pack Medium Knocked Down (MKD) kits for export markets. Laser projections show the exact position where each part should be placed on the pallet.
This system includes text, images, and videos to explain each step of the process. If a part is misplaced, the system alerts workers and guides them to correct the mistake. The innovative light guiding system increases workplace safety and reduces errors.
Meanwhile, aircraft manufacturers also leverage immersive technologies to enhance various aspects of design, production, and training.
Back in 2014, Boeing Corporation used AR to solve the problem of installing components of airplane onboard systems that are connected to each other by a complex system of wires. The company’s employees accelerated the process of assembling harnesses and reduced the risk of making mistakes through the use of technology. So far, the AR system has been guiding production employees through the sequence of installing and connecting electronics in Boeing airplanes.
As a result of implementing AR technology, Boeing has reduced wiring harness production time by 25% and reduced human error to nearly zero.
Augmented Reality is also changing the way employees are trained and educated by offering immersive and hands-on learning experiences.
PTC, a global technology leader, is using AR to train employees more effectively. By utilizing AR, the company provides its employees with real-time guidance and interactive training sessions, which enhances learning and skill retention.
This approach not only simplifies the learning process but also reduces the risk of knowledge loss when experienced professionals retire. With AR, PTC ensures that critical knowledge is inherited and remains available throughout the organization.
Businesses do not have to be industrial giants to take advantage of AR technologies. Many AR solutions are simple enough to implement even in small companies. However, successful integration of this innovative technology requires a careful approach.
To maximize the benefits of AR and avoid potential problems, it is recommended to follow a structured implementation plan. Here are the key steps that will help you successfully integrate AR solutions into your business:
1) Define goals and select a solution:
2) Conduct a pilot project:
3) Train your staff and scale:
4) Optimize and evolve:
How do modern businesses use AR to increase their revenues and outperform their industry competitors?
Despite its great potential, introducing Augmented Reality into an enterprise business may involve a number of difficulties:
In coming years, AR technologies are expected to develop significantly in the business sector. One of the key trends will be the integration of AR with Artificial Intelligence. This will make it possible to create smarter systems capable of recognizing objects more accurately and providing contextual information.
For example, AR glasses will be able to automatically identify equipment malfunctions and offer solutions, which will significantly increase the efficiency of technicians’ work.
The development of cloud-based AR platforms will be another important trend. It will not only reduce the computing power requirements of devices but also make it easier to update content. Employees will be able to access AR tutorials from any device, making the technology more flexible and user-friendly.
Significant improvements in the ergonomics of AR devices are also expected. There will be lighter and more comfortable AR glasses that can be worn throughout the working day without discomfort. This will open up new opportunities for AR applications in various fields, including supply chain management, quality control and customer service.
If you want to implement AR technologies in your business processes, the HQSoftware team is ready to help you. We have honed our skills for more than 10 years and are ready to offer you a full range of services so that your business can effectively utilize Augmented Reality.
If you are ready to implement AR into your business but need help or consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts will guide you through every step, from ideation and development to deployment and scaling.
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