The AREA Balances Vision and Pragmatism
The AREA has a vision and, at the same time, we must remain pragmatic. Let me explain.
We’re all familiar with the myths about the industrial revolution: it happened overnight, right? Coal leapt out of the ground and formed coke. Iron became steel and the rest is history. Then, 100 years later, in the late-20th century, computers profoundly changed what people could do with their knowledge and, using networked computers, silicon-driven industries revolutionized how people communicate and how just about everything—human and machine—works.
In the future, businesses will experience another transformation that will have a big impact on workers who have spent far less time behind computer screens than knowledge workers. Largely without the assistance of silicon-based computational devices, they move themselves and materials around; they build, transform, maintain, use, repair and even take apart objects in the physical world. They are pragmatic when it comes to the introduction of new technologies.
Soon, the procedures these workers need to follow will leap into their line of sight and at their fingertips, endowing them with the knowledge of those who benefited from the previous cyber revolution.
Improving Workplace Performance
Augmented Reality-assisted enterprise systems will drive significant improvements in many operations, as measured by lower costs and higher productivity. Those whose work requires guidance, decision support or collaboration concerning objects and places in the physical world will, through contextually relevant visualization of information:
- Be more productive
- Operate more safely
- Consistently comply with all policies and procedures
- Perform tasks with the lowest possible number of errors
But first, some innovative leaders have to take risks and make investments that may, as when Matthew Boulton continued to finance the research of James Watt, appear imprudent.
Who Are We Talking About?
The steam engine and industrial revolution did not happen overnight. It was only many years after entering into partnership with entrepreneur Matthew Boulton that the concepts and hard work of James Watt produced significant efficiency improvements by comparison with the earliest model steam engines.
The AREA recognizes that many investors will take risks before Augmented Reality is mature. There will also be many engineers whose brilliance of conception and practical know-how will be needed to improve the productivity of workers.
Who Are We Talking To?
We’re talking to you: the developer, the business manager, the IT group, the learning department manager, the innovation group, and the executive office.
You each need different arguments to persuade you of the value of investing in enterprise Augmented Reality. Our content and informational programs are being designed to match the needs of these diverse groups of stakeholders.
Our target audiences are not limited to those in enterprises that are implementing Augmented Reality for their internal operational needs. We also recognize target audiences in organizations that provide goods and services to enterprise customers. These include the providers of core enabling technologies and vendors of enterprise IT hardware and software, as well as systems integrators of many kinds.
Pragmatic, Like Our Members
Everyone wants to quickly achieve goals towards AR introduction. But hype builds up unrealistic expectations. Disappointed decision makers may not shoulder the risks again.
In order to help all these different groups present their offers and, on the other hand, understand what they are acquiring or introducing into their businesses, the AREA is pragmatic.
The AREA’s programs are designed to simply and consistently:
- Reduce the myths and mysteries associated with Augmented Reality
- Help customers to establish reasonable expectations (where they can be met with existing technologies)
Pragmatism with practical information—not hype—is as important as vision.