Scaling VR training is a comprehensive process.Below is a basic outline of the steps involved in this process.
1. Scaling Hardware
The hardware you procure is the foundation for your scaling program. It affects:
The quality of the user experience
Consistency of training delivery
Efficiency in operations across locations
The long-term and short-term cost-effectiveness
So, choose your hardware after considering multiple factors—not just cost or performance.Here are a few of these factors:
Durability: can the headset withstand regular use?
Comfort: does it support extended use without discomfort?
Battery: can it power longer training sessions?
Maintenance and additional replacements: can you easily replace the components and accessories?
Based on these, the leading VR device in the market is the Meta Quest 3. Other devices you can opt for include the Meta Quest 2 and the Apple Vision Pro.
2. Scaling Device Management
The plethora of devices you procure requires centralized device management—especially if you deliver training across multiple locations. If not, it can lead to problems including:
Security vulnerabilities
Unauthorized access
Loss of devices
But if you have centralized device management you can prevent these by performing:
Timely updates
User access controls
Inventory management
In addition to these centralized device management also helps you monitor usage patterns to optimize your resource allocation. You can detect problems before they arise and mitigate them so that it doesn’t impact your training delivery.
3. Update VR Content With Scalable VR Software
The right VR software is critical; not just for the effectiveness of scaling but also for the quality of output.
Also, in the age of AI, VR development tools that require months-long development processes just don’t cut it. You have to opt for AI-powered platforms that chisel down the development time from months to hours.
You can leverage AI for the rapid creation of the following;
Animations
Environments
Assets
Interactive elements
Quicker development pipelines mean your team can immediately respond to arising demands and new use cases.
Then there’s smart localization to convert your modules into different languages. It helps you support the needs of a diverse user base.
4. Start Small With a Pilot
Your start in VR development should be smaller in scope. Because if you try to hit a home run right off the bat without knowing how to scale a VR training program, failure can lead to dire consequences—including losing the backing of stakeholders.
So, begin with a pilot; pick a critical use case that can demonstrate value and divert all your efforts into creating it in the highest quality.
Then, once you deploy the pilot, gather feedback from multiple sources—including trainers, learners, and stakeholders.
A VR pilot can also help you create internal champions. These champions become crucial at the time of broader deployment. They can be valuable allies as others question why to scale VR training in the first place.
5. Create Multiple Virtual Environments
Once you begin scaling your VR training project, prepare to develop a diverse set of environments.
You should re-create office and factory environments, products, etc., in 3D metaverse-friendly formats. In addition, you can create organized repositories of such 3D models for ease of use in future VR module production.
From these environments, create learning scenarios that progressively build skills and knowledge. Start with simpler ideas and transition to advanced concepts later on.
You should also cater to different learning styles and skill levels. You’ll need to customize your training modules based on different needs across multiple regions and departments as well.
However, the environment also refers to the real-world set-up of a dedicated space for VR. If you have such a space, it makes VR adoption easier amongst your workforce. It allows you to designate the area specifically for VR training and even allows your employees to experiment with the technology to solve critical problems.