Virtual Onboarding: Will Immersive AR/VR Tools Replace In-person Training?

In a post-pandemic landscape, the corporate world has begun to evolve significantly. With 66% of 22-56-year-olds now working at home at least once a week, digitalization has taken center stage within the business world as technology continues to transform the WFH potential.

In fact, 38% of WFH-based companies are planning to implement at least one new form of smart technology into their workplace in 2022 alone, as a remote future becomes a certain reality.

(Image Source: Gartner)

As you can see above, some of the leading technologies driving the digital workplace range from AI-generated data collection tools to immersive aids that enhance remote productivity. In fact, a recent survey from Hello Global found that introducing just one form of digital aid into the workplace increases productivity by 33%, boosting value production and making a hefty return on investment.

One technological development, in particular, has been tipped for success in 2022. The evolution of immersive aids, powered by augmented and virtual reality are set to revolutionize the future of WFH. 

From a virtual interview process to immersive onboarding, let’s delve into the benefits of introducing AR to the workplace, and find out why it might just set you apart from the crowd.

What Is Augmented Reality?

So what is augmented reality? In short, augmented reality, otherwise known as AR is a form of immersive technology that is able to enhance your reality. Unlike virtual reality which is able to create a new 3D dimension with the help of VR hardware, AR simply adds digital layers onto what you already see.

(Image Source: Statista)

As you can see here, AR shipments are expected to exceed 26 million by the end of 2022, with over a quarter of AR-based sales from the business sector alone. As tech giants such as Microsoft release their HoloLens, an AR-Powered productivity tool for efficient hands-free working, it’s no surprise that the potential of immersive working aids is finally being tapped into.

Using a series of digital layers, AR and VR users are able to enhance their remote working experience. From attending virtual meetings from the comfort of your couch to displaying large amounts of data in front of your eyes, experts suggest that immersive tools could be the key to company success in the digital age.

As consumers continue to embrace immersive aids within the workplace, a number of enterprise-focused AR/VR developers are beginning to transform the corporate scene. MesmeriseVR says that immersive technologies can “blur the lines between reality and imagination to empower enterprises.”

Stating that “Immersive technologies are cheaper, more portable and more intuitive than ever before,” they suggest that AR/VR powered technology can be used universally across a large range of industries as we ‘go digital’ post-pandemic.

The Future of Virtual Onboarding 

A recent Gallup poll suggested that only three in ten corporate-based employees claim that they have access to appropriate digital equipment to assist them while working remotely. The same poll also reported that the lack of technology significantly reduced both efficiency and productivity during the working day.

So, the question is how can immersive technology boost success? The key here is business efficiency. Not only can AR/VR-based tools speed up onboarding and training processes for newcomers, but they also reduce the workload for the other staff members who would struggle to train new employees in a remote setting.

Immersive aids do exactly what they say on the tin. They immerse you within your work. Seeing data in real-time and embracing training sessions in a completely virtual immersive setting enables employees to connect to what they are doing and is proved to increase task focus.

Let’s have a look at some of the main benefits associated with immersive training tools.

A Look into the Benefits of Immersive Training Tools

One of the main areas of the corporate sector that is set for reform is staff training. As remote onboarding becomes a challenge of the past, immersive training tools are aiding business leaders to onboard staff with minimal effort and maximum success.

A new Dell Workforce Survey found that: “66% of global employees would be willing to use AR/ VR products in their professional life; most as a training tool and 62% of global employees agree that their job could be made easier with the assistance of artificial intelligence.”

Utilizing the immersive benefits of AR and VR-based technology, new employees will experience a realistic training practice, where they will be able to interact with mock virtual activities and gain a hands-on onboarding session, accelerating their learning process.

In fact, VR-based tech may also enhance the interviewing process in a remote setting. Rather than simply video chatting, interviewees can be thrown into the practicalities of their new role using immersive aids that may mimic real-life complications they may stumble across. In response, leaders are able to assess the candidate’s problem-solving skills within a completely remote setting. 

Last, but certainly not least, immersive aids can also significantly reduce company costs and provide a hefty ROI. From reducing staff assistance to automating a large portion of the company workload, the business’ production value can still remain high, while staff costs remain low, a perfect story for digital success.