Featured article by Emma Smith, PR and content manager at Fonvirtual
The concept of augmented reality has existed for many years. Marketing strategies have been integrating this new technology into their processes, but very few companies have embarked on this adventure. Augmented reality will be one of the key trends in the coming years and companies must adapt to it.
What is augmented reality?
Advances in technology that in the past seemed futuristic and impossible are now very real. Among these advances is augmented reality. This technology combines the real world and the digital elements of the system in real time, offering the user the possibility of interacting in a 2D or 3D environment.
In other words, it consists of superimposing digital information (images, data, music or 3D animations) on real planes. To do this, we generally use smartphones, augmented reality glasses, specific headphones… Estimates of companies’ use and investment in augmented reality are considerable and reflect the potential and possibilities of marketing applications.
Ikea Augmented Reality
One of the pioneers in the use of augmented reality is none other than the Swedish furniture giant, Ikea. Since 2014, the brand has been launching a solution to help its customers in their furniture purchasing decisions. Users can digitally stack furniture from the store catalogue in different rooms of their home to see the result before making a decision.
The main advantage of this technology is the enrichment of the consumer experience with possible interaction in an innovative 3D environment.
The introduction of this technology in the commercial field could initially be available only to large companies, but in the near future, costs will decrease and augmented reality will be within everyone’s reach.
What are the advantages of using augmented reality in your company?
Augmented reality and new technologies, in general, have brought many advantages to society that justify the rapid expansion of their uses. In addition to virtual reality, there are virtual and very innovative telecommunications services that help to increase the efficiency of a company. The virtual call center software is a clear example of this; it is a service that facilitates the management of a company’s calls, increasing the productivity of workers. Among the main advantages of using augmented reality in a company are:
# Differentiation from the competition
This argument is particularly true in the case of companies that have been able to install this new technology in the development of their activities from the beginning. Enterprises and companies that can integrate augmented reality into their marketing and sales strategies will have undeniable ease in the process of differentiating themselves from their competitors, creating an effect of surprise and curiosity in the consumer.
# Improve the customer experience
With an interactive element between the customer and the company, such as the tool of the Swedish giant mentioned above, the customer experience is improved with more dynamism and added value. The applications of these advantages are visible in all areas without exception: from virtual tests of car orders to the manufacture of clothing, hairdressing, makeup … All augmented reality applications are a means to enhance a company’s customer experience.
# More information to customers
The overlapping of real and virtual data multiplies the possibilities and thus increases the information provided to consumers without “overloading” the product itself. Only by scanning a code from an application, augmented reality glasses or any other device consumers will have access to new information about the product or service in which they are interested.
# Improved brand image and visibility
A company that knows how to follow trends and evolve with the same dynamics as its environment will surely improve its visibility and change its image from that of a normal company to that of a modern and innovative company.
About the Author
Emma Smith, PR and content manager at Fonvirtual. www.fonvirtual.com provides companies and entrepreneurs with international virtual phone numbers and other virtual services. I’m interested in digital marketing, technology and international logistics. I am a usual collaborator in blogs, where I try to spread the word of telecom services in international business.
