XR for Your Business: Select Your VR Solution

Finding the right-fit VR training solution can be both intricate and rewarding. Numerous solutions are available in today's market, and the list will continue to grow. Begin by curating a catchall list of potential solutions that might benefit your business.

Defining key terms: In this playbook, we use the terms solution provider and solution.

Solution provider: The company that is offering the product, in this case, the XR product.
Solution: The software application that is offered by a company. Training solution refers to a program that is intended to train employees.

The key categories below will streamline your vetting and evaluation process. We also recommend using our VR Technology Solution Interview Guide, which includes a list of critical questions to ask solution providers.

Know your options. VR training solutions are typically available in two options:

Customized training tailored to the needs of each business or customer
Off-the-shelf (OTS) training designed for a broad audience and ready for immediate use

OTS training is predesigned training available for purchase without customization. In many cases, VR training providers have a catalog of OTS training covering various topics, and some offer customized solutions as well. The choice between customized and OTS solutions hinges on factors like cost, implementation time, and specific training requirements. OTS solutions usually cost less and are available to use right away, whereas customized solutions can be costly and take longer to design.

We recommend starting with an OTS solution to acquaint your business at a lower cost and in a shorter time frame. This paves the way for more tailored solutions in the future, after learning key lessons from an initial implementation.

Evaluate pricing against your needs. Providers have different pricing models. The most common one is charging on a per-user or per-license basis for all training content over a specific duration of time. Some training providers charge a fixed price for unlimited licenses or charge for each training course.

First, identify a total budget and the total number of employees you want to start training. Start with a small cohort of employees to gather feedback, and track their experience for at least two months before expanding to other employees.

We recommend you start with a monthly contract with the solution provider, if available, and purchase more licenses as needed, depending on your initial progress. This is usually the most cost-effective and smartest way to begin, even though businesses will often get a better price if they commit to a longer-term contract or a larger number of licenses. You can always negotiate the terms of an agreement with a solution provider, so be sure to speak up for what you need.

Locate support. Solution providers typically have both a customer success team and a support web page featuring resources like FAQs and how-to guides. Some solution providers assign a customer success manager who works directly with the business to provide training and recommendations. Either way, make sure you know what options will be available for accessing technical support, especially if you are new to VR.

Here are examples of VR training provider support pages to help you better understand what types of resources should be available:

Consider user experience. Every VR training solution offers a unique user experience in terms of accessing, navigating, and completing the training. For end users, account login and quality of training are features that will make a huge difference in their experience. For managers, how they administer accounts (i.e., create and assign licenses to employees) and access analytics will be important to their experience. Additionally, some VR providers offer features such as closed captioning and alternative languages to increase accessibility and allow businesses to train more learners, depending on the employee group.

Try before you buy. Test the solution before purchasing it to determine the quality of its design and features. Make sure to install the application, log in, complete the training, and view the analytics using either live demos or trial licenses. Also have employees with different comfort levels with technology test the solution to compare their experiences, to ensure the training will be accessible to those with less familiarity with technology.

Ask about compatibility. VR training solutions’ compatibility with individual devices and platforms varies. Similar to how a smartphone app is available on both iOS and Android operating systems, solutions may be available on different headsets (e.g., Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, or Apple Vision Pro) and computers (via browsers). It is important to identify a solution’s hardware compatibility because hardware pricing can vary significantly.

Prioritize access. The closer you can get to providing one headset per employee, the faster and more efficient training will likely be. But one headset per five employees is still good and may be more realistic at the beginning. Sometimes, a VR training provider may offer rental headsets. Ask about these options and compare the pricing of renting vs. buying the headsets outright. Since most VR solutions also offer a computer-friendly version, this can help increase accessibility—just keep in mind some distinct benefits of using VR will be lost. In some cases, especially with a remote workforce, organizations can offer a hybrid approach where employees can use VR headsets in the office and complete other training on a computer at home. Training on a computer is also a good alternative for anyone who experiences motion sickness or is otherwise not comfortable using a VR headset.

In sum, make sure to confirm which VR hardware the solution is compatible with and whether the solution provider offers browser access.

Utilize performance metrics. XR solutions offer a variety of analytics, and the data they generate will differ between training platforms. Common metrics include engagement (such as completion rates) and performance (such as scores) to assess usage patterns and measure what users are learning. Solutions often will provide a dashboard to access real-time data. Other functionality includes the ability to export a CSV or integrate the solution with a learning management system, though integrations are typically customized and have additional costs.

Track real-time progress via dashboards. Ask for a demo of the dashboard during your vetting process. We recommend a solution that provides an online dashboard with real-time tracking to view each user's analytics. Some platforms include the ability to view aggregated data by each training module or at a group level (i.e., a cohort of specific learners). The aggregated data can be beneficial in analyzing high-level trends.