What if you were told your augmented reality (AR) training program will cost $25,000 to $50,000 or more? Although the upfront cost may be overwhelming, the long-term benefits an AR program could bring to your organization can make the costs worth it.
AR training can save your organization money in the following five ways:
- Reduces repeat visits for unsolved issues
- Speeds up the time for resolution
- Reduces the need for reliance on experts for answers
- Creates a more consistent training experience
- Reduces potential safety incidents
Just like any XR training, organizations can expect to experience high upfront development costs for an AR training program.
When used strategically, though, the benefits of AR training can outweigh the costs without sacrificing quality.
This article will define AR training, explore several factors that affect AR training costs, and discuss five ways AR training saves organizations money.
Use AR To Add Interactive Digital Elements To Training
AR training adds interactive digital elements to a live real-world environment to create a safe learning experience. Learners use a device, like a phone or tablet, to place a digital object in front of them that can then be examined and manipulated.
AR uses three different technologies: image recognition, plane detection, and object recognition. Each technology comes with its own capabilities, pros and cons, and best uses for training learners in various topics and skill sets.
Those topics and skill sets include:
- Technical Training — AR is excellent for directing focus toward technical skills or knowledge that learners can practice and understand without needing a broader context.
- Operations Training — AR trains employees on point-of-sale (POS) systems by recreating the machine with actual buttons that can be practiced on from anywhere.
- Safety Training — Learners are taught safety protocols and how to safely handle delicate equipment or materials by learning off of simulated objects.
- Product Knowledge Training — Place products in front of associates and allow them to familiarize themselves with all of the components and how it works through a phone, tablet, or headset.
- Onboarding — Get employees acquainted with the company, products, and branding by showing them the ins and outs of the business, shop floor, processes, and more through virtual tours or team introductions.
Whether you need to train your workforce on a particular product and its parts or you need to bring a new employee up to speed with your organization’s operations, AR could be the right fit for your training program.
How Can AR Training Save Your Organization Money?
AR is best utilized as a “just in time” tool. This means that rather than prevent an issue from occurring, AR is used for in-the-moment performance support.
For example, an auto mechanic or engineer could refer to AR to reinforce their understanding of the process for changing a tire. AR can help them when they’re in the thick of things in a comfortable, captivating manner. Throughout their completion of the program, they can isolate specific parts of the tire, read informational text, and watch virtual demonstrations of the tire change.
AR training can range from $25,000 to $50,000 or more depending on several factors:
- The type of interactions you include
- The number of 3D modeling hours required
- The AR capable devices you choose
Although AR may come with high development fees, there are many ways that AR training can save your organization money in both the short and long run.
1. AR training reduces repeat visits for unsolved issues
When an issue arises at an organization, whether it be mechanical or technical, AR can be utilized as an in the moment solution.
For example, a technician may be needed for a field service visit to repair a mechanical problem. They may arrive and not know how to proceed because they haven’t experienced the issue beforehand. In some cases, it requires another technician to come out or they may need to call someone for additional assistance.
As long as the technician has a mobile device or tablet with them onsite, they have immediate access to an AR training program that has the information and resources they need to resolve issues. This avoids repeat visits, which cuts back on time and money needed for travel and associated fees, all while solving the issue faster.
2. AR training speeds up the time for resolution
As we’ve mentioned, AR training programs speed up the time needed for resolving issues that arise in the moment. AR overlays resources onto real-life items to create a custom training experience that allows for quick access to videos and other immersive materials. A quick resolution time saves money in the long run because the earlier a problem is fixed, the better and less costly it is.
When a problem arises, an AR program serves as a quick, readily available solution. Employees could experience any of the following problems:
- Problems identifying, operating, or repairing equipment
- Safety issues
- Confusion regarding their specific role and responsibilities
- Issues regarding technical skills and processes
An easily accessible, interactive AR training program can help address these issues and resolve them in a timely manner.
3. AR training reduces the need for reliance on experts for answers
A subject-matter expert (SME) is someone who has a deep understanding of a particular topic, skill, process, object, etc. SMEs are typically relied on during the development and rollout of a training program.
In traditional learning environments, organizations may scramble to schedule training sessions with SMEs. With AR training, SMEs’ expertise is collected and embedded in the program itself through informational text boxes and videos, reducing the need for in-person training and repeated sessions. AR utilizes SMEs’ answers to common questions and eliminates the associated time and fees for booking SMEs.
For example, an AR program could include a video of a SME who identifies various pieces of equipment and explains how to troubleshoot common issues. This program can then be re-used, repeated, and accessed from anywhere at any time.
4. AR training creates a more consistent training experience
You know the saying: Consistency is key. Consistency in your training program comes with a variety of benefits that can help your organization save money, including:
- Increases employee retention
- Improves performance and confidence levels
- Decreases employee turnover
A big drain for corporations is employee turnover because employees aren’t confident in their role. On average, the cost to replace a single salaried employee is roughly 6-9 months’ of their salary.
A consistent training program shows your employees that your organization values both personal and professional development through an ongoing culture of learning. An AR training program that’s consistent for all learners creates trust between an employee and their organization.
When your learners see you’re invested in their learning by adequately training them through AR, they’re more likely to stay put in their role.
5. AR training reduces potential safety incidents
A major benefit to AR training is that it creates a safe experiential learning environment. With AR, learners avoid potential safety hazards and risks associated with operating large, expensive machinery.
For example, learners can use an iPad to detect the ground in front of them and anchor a real-world piece of machinery to it, such as an engine. With this digital model, learners can highlight specific parts, assemble and disassemble it, rotate, resize, and walk around it.
This example avoids the need for real-world equipment and reduces the potential costs associated with broken training equipment. Organizations can train learners on equipment without needing the actual equipment, which prevents downtime and the risk of breaking expensive equipment. Learners can access the program at any time as long as they have the proper device with them.
Are You Ready To Cut Costs With AR Training?
The full potential of AR technology for training is still being realized, but the good news is that the financial benefits of AR training are apparent. Both in the short and long term, AR training can save your organization money and increase your bottom line.
Are you ready to start cutting costs with AR training? Start developing your own custom AR program today!
