“Embracing AR Technologies” is the title of a whitepaper released by IDC.

As we emerge from the pandemic, a recent report from industry research firm IDC addresses questions concerning AR technologies in the enterprise. While new offices are being built, many businesses have adopted hybrid work arrangements or continue to hire remote workers. In addition, training and education are still viable applications for augmented reality.’

The analysis, which was shared with ARPost, provides a data-driven look at how hundreds of businesses are utilizing augmented reality. It also forecasts future markets and identifies certain specific hardware and software solutions.

Accelerate the Digital Transformation of Your Business

IDC Group Vice President of Device and Consumer Research Tom Mainelli authored “Embracing Ar Technology Technologies to Accelerate Your Organization’s Digital Transformation.”

Lenovo, which has its own AR technology branch, ThinkReality, sponsored the paper. For years, this group has been interested in long-term trends and solutions while working on hardware and software for enterprise and education.

Lenovo AR/VR Lead Nathan Pettyjohn told ARPost back in 2020, “We think [XR] is a trend that’s going to continue, and Lenovo feels that with the customer base that we already have, we need to be a leader in this market, so there’s a lot of dedication in our teams to execute that.”

The paper specifically mentioned Lenovo ThinkReality technologies, although it was not intended to be an advertisement. The research was jam-packed with forecasts and insights based on data from a poll of over 400 larger companies with over 1,000 workers conducted in 2021. All of these businesses have either already implemented AR technology or are in the process of doing so.

In a Post-COVID World, AR Technologies

In the paper’s introduction, Mainelli writes, “The COVID-19 epidemic has accelerated the speed of digital economy for enterprises around the world.” “As the globe moves away from lockdowns and restrictions, AR technology will only become more ingrained and vital to the future success of many businesses.”

After that, the report expresses a feeling that many predicted a year ago: AR isn’t only a pandemic solution. XR grew out of need during the pandemic, but the genie isn’t going back in the bottle. Work-from-home, scattered workforces, and hybrid meetings are all part of the “new normal,” and AR is no exception.

“IDC continues to expect significant growth in all areas of AR in the next years, namely hardware, software, and services.” While many businesses may be put off by the perceived expense of entry, the majority soon realize that AR investments pay for themselves,” stated Mainelli. “AR isn’t a technology that will emerge in a few years; it’s nowhere.”

According to the analysis, by 2025, global spending on AR technologies (hardware, software, and services) might reach $45.6 billion. That also excludes spending on smartphones and tablets, which is still how many people interact with AR.

How and Why Do Businesses Use AR Technologies?

One of the pearls discovered in the survey was that many organizations start out utilizing iPhones or tablet phones to get their feet wet with XR. This may sound ancient depending on the AR technologies your organization is employing, but most AR glasses require (or may use) a conventional mobile phone or tablet for computational power.

This method, which is employed in both business and entertainment, lowers the cost of the headset for the end-user. It also allows headsets to concentrate on display and audio while CPU power is offloaded to a nearby device. As a result, the headsets are lighter, more comfortable, and safer. One Lenovo device, developed in collaboration with Motorola and Verizon, even supports edge computing.

“One of the major issues with AR technology has been the expensive cost, along with the fact that most headsets could only offer one of two things: a pleasant, lightweight form factor or high-end optics,” noted Mainelli.

The research then moved on to Lenovo and Think Reality software, which can be used with both a laptop and a mobile device. While some business jobs necessitate more mobility than a laptop can provide, others do not. One of the fastest-growing use cases in the industry is using XR devices as “virtual screens.”

Employee training is used by half of those who responded to the poll. AR is used by 48% of people for video conferencing and collaboration. When asked what they thought the most important benefit of AR technologies was, the most popular response was improved cooperation. So it’s no surprise that virtual desktops piqued the curiosity of 80% of respondents, including 67 percent of healthcare professionals.

In the forecast, there are some very big numbers.

Despite all of the progress in enterprise AR technology that we’ve witnessed, there’s still a lot more to come. Not only are more businesses adopting these technologies, but they’re doing it in ways we didn’t anticipate. While polls and forecasts are fascinating, the real thrill comes from waiting to see how they pan out.