Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality For Customer Experience
The ways that people are using virtual reality and augmented reality in different settings continues to grow. From using VR and AR in the classroom to facilitate learning to offering unique shopping experiences, there is no doubt that these two types of reality technologies are going nowhere soon.
At the moment, we are only starting to understand and utilize the capabilities that these technologies can bring to our world and the digital landscape.
So, if you are a business owner looking to create the ultimate customer experience, which reality technology would be better for you, and how would you like to interact with your customers?
Let’s look at some of the ways business owners are currently using VR and AR to reach their customers and how these technologies can help internal operations by improving efficiency.
How do VR and AR Work?
Before we can start discussing how businesses use reality technology to interact with customers and improve internal processes, we should quickly understand how these technologies work.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality creates a virtual world using rendered 3D images to create an entirely immersive experience in an interactive environmental simulation a user experiences through a VR headset.
The 3D images required to create these immersive environments are huge regarding file size. That is why these images are typically rendered using the computing capabilities of cloud services like Amazon Web Services or the Google Cloud Platform and then streamed directly into a personal VR headset.
As more individuals and companies become increasingly reliant on the cloud for different aspects of their lives — cybersecurity, SaaS, business, and entertainment — companies like Amazon and Google have made massive investments to ensure cloud security for all data transmitted through or stored on the cloud.
Augmented Reality
AR is different from VR in that it simply adds digital elements like images, texts, and other forms of media to your live real-life surroundings rather than immersing you into a completely different virtual environment. The computing power necessary to make AR a truly interactive experience is astounding.
Augmented reality technology needs to accurately register real and virtual objects in real-time within a user’s immediate environment and overlay sensory information. The sensory information can be visual, audio, haptic, olfactory, or somatosensory.
How do Businesses Use VR and AR to Enhance Customer Experience and Improve Processes?
When it comes to using VR and AR in the business world, there are two main types of use — external-facing and internal-facing.
External-facing uses include utilizing VR and AR to enhance the customer experience. Internal-facing VR and AR can increase organizational efficiency and enhance employee experience.
Let’s look at some of the ways companies are using VR and AR to enhance both the external and internal-facing operations of their business activities.
External-Facing VR and AR
When it comes to how a business interacts with its customers, there are many ways that VR and AR can be used to their advantage, including:
Internal-Facing VR and AR
Though most of the industry’s focus is on consumer application, AR and VR technologies offer businesses many opportunities to improve employee skills and productivity as well. Here’s how internal-facing AR and VR applications can help your organization.
So, Which is Better?
As a business leader, it is important to remember that you have two types of customers — internal and external. Yes, the external customers are the ones who drive sales and bring in revenue; however, the internal customers are your employees who are equally as important to the success of any business.
When used properly, both virtual and augmented reality can improve the experience of your internal and external customers. But which technology is better for your business?
For internal customers, using VR and AR can improve processes and efficiency, making their jobs easier and the customers feel more useful and appreciated. For external customers, virtual technologies help improve how they interact with your brand. Rather than a faceless entity, you can give them a more authentic customer experience that is mutually beneficial and makes them feel like they matter.
Regardless of the use you put them to, the capabilities of both virtual and augmented reality will be instrumental in the future success of every company.
This content was originally published here.