5 Ways to Use Virtual Reality in the Enterprise

With the Microsoft's HoloLens headset, users can view virtual 3D images within the everyday real world. 

For enterprises trying to differentiate themselves from their competitors, trying to connect with customers, trying to better show off their products and even make potential customers feel like they're trying out everything from a new car to a new iPhone before they buy it, virtual reality is likely to be a game changer for the enterprise.
Virtual reality is getting a lot of attention this week because the keynote during the second day of Facebook's annual F8 developer conference was largely focused on Oculus, a company that has built a virtual reality headset. Facebook bought Oculus in March 2014, and now the social network has big plans on developing not only virtual reality games, but ways for Facebook users to communicate and share experiences using virtual reality.

Facebook executives want users to even create virtual reality experiences for their online friends. Google is also known to be developing virtual reality products, though it hasn't specified exactly what it's doing.
If Facebook's vision becomes a reality, that will mean big things for gamers flying virtual fighter jets or fighting in medieval times.

What might it mean for the enterprise, though? Well, it should mean better communications with customers, a better way to show off new products and even a better way to work with employees.
Here are a few examples of how the enterprise could use virtual reality in another five or 10 years.

1. Training. Trainers will use virtual reality extensively. Soldiers, for instance, would be able to train in a virtual middle-eastern village or in a snowy, remote environment without leaving their American base.
Financial managers would be able to train using a virtual office environment, so they could practice good communication and leadership skills.
2. Pulling in remote workers. Virtual reality also should make for better relationships between employees working remotely and their managers or working groups. Think about employees being able to work from home but at the same time, working from virtual offices, surrounded by their virtual peers. This could make the worker feel more like a part of the meeting or a part of the team, leading to possible productivity boosts.
Another plus if you are more tightly coupled, it can be instrumental to make your boss more confident that you actually are working and not just goofing off at home.
3. Less business travel. Today, when most workers need to attend an important meeting -- whether it's in another corporate location or at a client's office -- they head to the airport, work their way through security and endure a plain ride, sometimes squeezed in that dreaded middle seat. Of course, some people use videoconferencing, but it's not widespread. And that experience still isn't quite like being in the same room and sitting down face-to-face with colleagues or clients.A virtual reality meeting could make it seem like a manager is in an actual face-to-face meeting when he or she is actually alone in the office. What companies will notice is a reduction in travel costs and in the administrative work it takes to make the travel arrangements and deal with the expenses. It also will reduce the amount of time workers are outside the office and unavailable. 

4. Sales. If someone is interested in comparing two different types of smartphones before buying one, testing them both out via virtual reality would be the perfect solution.Salespeople could help their potential customers to virtually try before they buy. Customers could feel like they're sitting in a car. They'd see how it would steer and feel on the road and how the interior looks up close. They could see how roomy it is -- all before taking the time to drive to a dealer to see it in person.

5. Order up! Kagan said one of the first uses of virtual reality may be at restaurants to allow customers to make their to-go food orders instead of calling in or using the Web.

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