• Has it been easy?
• Has it been fast?
• Has it grown the way we thought?
• Have many F500 really scaled yet?

Unfortunately, the answer to all of those questions is a resounding “NO”! That’s the bad news.  The good news, however, is that even though it took time, it looks like the opportunity is upon us.  “Us”, meaning the ones that stuck with it and stayed on task, and of course, didn’t run out of money.  I never thought not raising significant capital would have been a blessing in disguise but only having raised a smaller first round, it’s helped us methodically solve problems and build solutions for easier adoption, AND focus on cash-flow (staying alive).

Last week PIXO exhibited at Devlearn, where large learning platforms (LMS’s, etc), content development tools, among others, displayed their products and solutions.  Spending time this week thinking about the conference, the following is true:

• The best way for a large enterprise to deploy, track and consume VR training and learning, HAS to be through their current learning platform. A LMS and/or large enterprise does not want to go to several different platforms to leverage VR.  They are looking for one comprehensive platform for all, including e-learning and VR. They are not separate, they belong together.
• The cost of VR content development has to be closer to the cost of e-learning.
• VR has to be part of the learning journey and curriculum.  Not just blended learning, but actually part of the lesson / learning objective, a blended curriculum.
• LMS’s are riding the same philosophy as most new technologies coming into the market, and “crossing the chasm”in a similar way.  There are early adopters and innovators that are now heading to the early majority, but most will sit back and wait for others to prove it.  We are focused on the companies that want to lead and not follow.
• Training platforms and companies will sell VR better than VR companies will.  Why? Because we are not training companies, they develop the curriculum and learning journeys, where they can implement VR at the right time.

We are finally here.  We now have a robust ecosystem of solutions that can be offered to an LMS, or similar, through one touch point, to enable them to offer a better and combined way to train and to learn.

We are finally here.  The data has proven VR to be more engaging, life-like, less risky and less expensive, leading to less employee turnover, fewer accidents and higher profit margins.

We are finally here!

Continue the conversation with Sean on LinkedIn 

Tip #1: VR is a Strategic Addition to Blended Training Curriculums and Not a Complete Replacement for Current Training

The experts agree that while virtual reality training increases participation and engagement by replicating real life situations in a way that is safe and cost effective, VR will not completely replace other traditional learning methods. Instead, learning experts suggest incorporating it into existing curriculums for a blended learning approach that appeals to different types of learners and provides an opportunity for multiple reinforcement moments. This blended curriculum can be implemented by having different stations for the trainee, e-learning, classroom, and VR.

Tom from J. J. Keller and Associates explains that VR is an excellent addition to traditional training. “We think VR is a great augmentation to the other formats of training and we invested in it early to continue to bring innovative solutions to our customers,” he says. VR provides experiential learning and helps demonstrate knowledge gained through other methods, complementing classroom and online training.

Justin from LION Protects echoes this sentiment, noting that VR feels like a natural progression in training tools. “It’s another tool for the arsenal. It is absolutely something that I see the market shifting towards,” he says. For instance, their VR-based fire extinguisher training provides hands-on experience, crucial for building muscle memory in real-life scenarios.

Tip #2: Make VR Integration Easy for Your Customers and Lifelike for the Trainees

The practical application of a blended learning approach also makes VR an effective training tool. VR allows for hands-on practice in a controlled environment, where learners can apply what they’ve learned in traditional settings. This can bridge the gap between theory and practice, making the learning process more effective. “What we wanted to do is come up with an actual extinguisher prop that would allow people to train exactly how they would do it in real life” he explains. The traditional VR controllers are built into the fire extinguisher, which has a similar size and weight to a traditional fire extinguisher. This method ensures trainees use the same motions and actions they would in real emergencies, making the training more effective and realistic. It is expensive and dangerous to create real fire training in the office, but with VR, you are able to train in a simulated, safe virtual environment and there are no real-life consequences if you make a mistake. 

Tom stresses the importance of seamless integration, avoiding the pitfall of making VR a separate, isolated tool. “I don’t want VR to be the shiny thing that’s off to the side. We wanted VR to be integrated into our existing training platform with other online training. ” he says. “By partnering with PIXO VR, J. J. Keller ensured that VR training is part of our single, cohesive Learning Management System (LMS). PIXO’s platform has the capability to embed directly into our LMS, so when our customers login to deploy training, everything they need is there. This is very important because it allows users to access all training materials, including VR, in one place, simplifying the user experience and centralizing learning data.”

Tip #3: Plan Ahead to Overcome Challenges Implementing VR Training

Both Tom and Justin acknowledge the challenges of integrating VR into training programs. One of the main challenges they are actively working to overcome is making sure VR training provides a good learner and customer experience.  

Tom highlights the need to address learners’ potential anxiety and unfamiliarity with VR equipment. To overcome this, they include a VR readiness tutorial that acclimate users to a VR environment before the actual training begins. “We’ve built unique hand controller walk-throughs that help the learner get into that experience and understand what controls you’re going to use, to interact with this specific training. For example, what motions or controls do use in order to open the truck door, or select specific parts on the truck. This way they are familiar with the controllers so when they actually perform the training they can focus on the learning aspect, and not on how to use VR”  J. J. Keller also considered how to handle  the cost of implementing VR training for their customers. They addressed this challenge by granting their LMS subscription customers the ability to use credits on VR without an additional charge. The only investment the customer needs to make is to purchase a VR headset. 

Justin identified hardware challenges LION faced, such as the need for portable and user-friendly systems. LION Protects initially chose a complex, tethered headset solution but switched to a more compact and usable stand alone headset with PIXO’s support. “Make sure that your customers’ user experience is top of mind going into it,” he advises. Justin encourages champions to stay engaged and make updates or changes when it’s the right thing to do to drive success. “The system we originally set up was not user intuitive, and was not in line with what our customers wanted. We listened to our customers, took a step back, and with the support of PIXO we were able to switch to something that was more compact and usable.”

Tip #4: Listen to the Learners but also Track the Data

Justin emphasizes the importance of active listening to understand customers’ needs. “I am very customer centric when it comes to recommending solutions, I do a lot of active listening, ask questions, and once I learn how the customer trains, it helps me best figure out what VR solution would work best for them”  By understanding their current training methods, frequency, and goals, trainers can tailor VR solutions to meet specific requirements.

Tom advises organizations to use VR where it fits best. “It has to be this holistic training strategy designed to meet your goals and considering the difference between theory training and actual application training,” he explains. Tom reinforced  the importance of embedding the PIXO platform into their LMS. “When a trainee completes the PIXO VR training, all of the data from the session goes back to the J. J. Keller LMS so we can see it all in one place.” The data captured from VR training can be used to improve future versions of the training and also to better understand where learners are struggling to grasp the learning objectives. These insights benefit the training company, their customers and the employees engaged in training.

In the LION fire extinguisher training, you are able to change the difficulty and class of fire, and then the trainee is graded on their performance with all data captured in the PIXO platform so that LION’s customers have access to their training data and LION can use the data to improve their training. LION Protects is also using a survey based feedback system with their trainees that is then used to shape the future of the product.

Tip #5: Keep an Eye on the Future of XR

Both experts are optimistic about the future of VR. Tom sees potential in using VR for additional use cases. “We think VR has some great applications in all aspects of learning. Not only with hard skills, but also with soft skills or interpersonal communication types of training  We want to continue to chase the efficacy and use VR to its highest potential,” he says.

Justin notes the rapid evolution of VR technology and increasing market adoption. “I’m very optimistic about VR. We are seeing the technology and marketing adoption increase at rapid speeds.”  Justin quoted a recent survey they conducted where over 50% of their customers indicated they are currently using or plan to integrate VR into their training programs, signaling growth for VR in enterprise training and a significant opportunity for LION’s training program.

In summary, integrating VR into training programs involves understanding its role as an augmentation tool, ensuring seamless integration, addressing hardware and user experience challenges, and tailoring solutions to meet specific training needs. As technology advances, VR is poised to become an integral part of an effective training strategy . Both J. J. Keller and LION Protects recommend finding a trusted VR partner to expedite and simplify the implementation and launch of a VR training program.

Active threats, accidents, and hazards can pose serious risks to employee safety. While incidents are almost inevitable, with the right knowledge employees can effectively mitigate these harms. In this article, we will explore the various types of workplace threats, accidents, and hazards, and discuss ways to prevent each via immersive training.

Workplace Violence

Workplace violence can involve physical assault, verbal abuse, and even the use of weaponry. Violence can be perpetrated by employees or individuals external to an organization. For example, incidents can stem from interpersonal conflicts between employees, such as a terminated employee perpetrating acts of aggression on their ex-colleagues. Incidents can range from mild altercations to severe or life-or-death situations.

Workplace violence can also include active shooter threats. To prepare for such scenarios, U.S. organizations ought to educate employees on (a variation of) the “Run, Hide, Fight” strategy as taught by the Department of Homeland Security. 

According to founders John Bassi, and Michel Maddelena of JM Spartan Training LLC, “A workplace violence prevention program within an organization is important…it provides for risk mitigation through planning and preparation, which develops proficiency. Proficiency enables the organization to efficiently identify, assess, and manage safety-related matters or potential threats in a timely manner.”

Ultimately, to ensure a safe working environment, individuals ought to be equipped to respond effectively, protecting themselves and others from potential harm. In fact, it is crucial to train employees on warning signs, de-escalation or conflict resolution techniques, and self-defense strategies.

Immersive training using virtual reality (VR) is an impactful tool to educate organizations on workplace safety. By providing comprehensive safety programming, an organization can better equip employees with the necessary tools and knowledge to respond effectively in high-pressure situations. VR training offers highly interactive, simulated experiences allowing employees to practice responding to conflicts or incidents of workplace violence.

Workplace Accidents

Accidents can occur due to wet or uneven surfaces, improper footwear, congested walkways, or poor lighting. In fact, slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents. As such, it is crucial for safety programs to educate on identifying potential hazards and how to promptly address them. By implementing specific measures, such as requiring footwear equipped with non-slip soles, an organization can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

Another type of incident is poor ergonomics, which can lead to debilitating injuries (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strains). Safety training ought to instruct on ways to prevent such risks. Techniques may include adjusting workstations to ensure optimal body alignment, partaking in regular breaks, understanding proper lifting forms, and incorporating frequent stretching exercises to mitigate fatigue and strain.

Through the power of VR training, employees can learn how to respond to an emergency through realistic simulations of potential workplace hazards. Immersive training also allows employers to provide employees with hands-on experience dealing with equipment that may be difficult to handle in a physical sense.

Fire and Electricity Hazards

The last category of workplace risks comes from fire and electricity. Preparing for external hazards may include learning how to properly handle electrical equipment and outlets, and knowing what to do in the event of an electrical malfunction.

Crisis management ought to equip employees with the necessary skills to handle emergencies, and should cover essential topics, such as evacuation procedures, first aid training, fire extinguisher handling, and crisis communication protocols. Conducting regular drills and tabletop exercises can also help ensure employees are well-prepared. Ultimately, a comprehensive emergency action plan should outline procedures for evacuations, sheltering, and communication in the event of a threat.

Jennifer Lastra, CEO of 360 Immersive, states “most compliance-based safety training is outdated, boring, and leaves our most vulnerable workers ill-prepared to keep themselves safe, especially in high-hazard industries. That’s where the use of immersive training, VR sims, and gamified exercises [come into play].”

Using VR to train employees to respond to fire emergencies can be impactful. Trainees can virtually experience the breakout of a fire, and learn how to quickly identify exit routes or use fire extinguishers. VR education can also train users on how to evacuate a facility or office space, familiarizing them with the designated assembly points and ways to assist colleagues.

Sisu VR offers innovative anti-harassment training focused on interactivity and empathy, aiming to create a memorable learning experience. With the power of VR, and the PIXO platform we have made this training engaging and easily accessible for all. If you are interested in learning more about our immersive training, reach out to us.

What are the specific features of immersive training that will maximize employee learning? In this article, we will explore the various features of immersive learning as well as the benefits that each feature provides.

1. Immersivity

Immersive simulations can educate employees on how to respond to real-life situations. Simulations grounded on realistic incidents or cases allow employees to experience “what it would feel like” to be in the midst of a difficult moment or crisis.

By tailoring simulations toward specific organizational needs, companies can provide relevant training on necessary subjects. For instance, training can simulate common workplace activity, such as handling customer service scenarios or difficult conversations.

For example, 360-degree simulations can be used to teach employees how to respond to an active shooter event or how to properly evacuate a building during a fire. Realistic simulations enable employees to perform difficult tasks, such as operating heavy machinery, without needing to worry about the risks associated with the aforementioned scenarios occurring in real life.

2. Gamification

Gamification is a notable feature of immersive learning. Gamifying an educational experience can make it more engaging and enjoyable. Using elements derived from video games, such as accumulating points, earning rewards, and achieving leaderboard status, gamified learning helps to teach complex or tedious subject matter.

Finally, gamification can be used to promote teamwork and collaboration. For example, a team-building event can be turned into a VR simulation where employees must work together to “escape a room.” Furthermore, remote employees from across the globe can connect and meet to play a round of metaverse mini-golf. By promoting teamwork and collaboration, companies can build strong and cohesive teams that work well together.

3. Interactivity

Interactivity is another key element of immersive learning. By providing interactive experiences, employees can engage with the material in a way that is more memorable and effective than traditional training methods. For example, an onboarding application can leverage VR to help a new employee associate corporate references or terminology with 3D objects within their digital environment. Through interactive exercises, employees can also receive real-time feedback on their actions or performance.

By presenting employees with challenges and allowing them to experiment with different solutions, companies can help employees to develop a critical thinking and problem-solving mindset.

Similarly, interactivity can provide employees with a sense of autonomy and control. By allowing employees to customize their experience or choose from multiple pathways, companies can facilitate personalized learning experiences.

4. Data Visualization

Data visualization is the use of visual aids to represent complex data. By presenting data in an easily digestible format, immersive learning can empower employees to better understand and analyze information. For example, an operations team can use a VR dashboard to simulate global facility locations and identify which facilities may be having challenges. As a result, employees can more efficiently analyze information and make informed decisions.

Furthermore, immersive simulations can also be used to identify data trends and patterns. For example, a company can use VR to create a 3D heat map of customer data, allowing them to visualize areas with the most customers.

Immersivity, interactivity, gamification, and data visualization are all key elements of immersive learning. From enhanced employee engagement to improved safety, immersive training solutions offer businesses an immense range of benefits.

Although many other aspects make immersive learning a choice method for employers, we wanted to highlight how VR training can equip employees with an understanding of how to address misconduct or harassment. Not only can VR training help employees experience different perspectives (e.g., victim, observer) but it can also help them learn how to speak up in a trying moment and practice effective communication with in-simulation characters. Want to learn more? Contact us!

Our Customers’ Top Picks

Pico Neo 3 – According to our sales and customer success team, the Pico Neo 3 is the headset that is most popular across all of the industries we serve. When it comes to comfortability, the balanced front and rear weight with its ergonomic design, makes for a comfortable experience even when wearing it for long periods of time. Currently on the market, this is one of the easiest headsets to set up and access your training content. PIXO’s app pairs perfectly with the Pico headsets which removes the need to sideload your content. You are able to wirelessly distribute your training modules to any headset in the world, saving you time, resources, and money. 

Casting with the Pico 3 is as easy as clicking a few buttons and you are able to share what you are seeing real-time in the headset to any TV, Laptop, or Smartphone. Pairing a Pico headset with an MDM enhances your experience. It is very simple to pair with an MDM and makes our customers’ lives a whole lot easier. 

Why add an MDM? The benefits include: device inventory and tracking, application distribution and updates, password enforcement, application whitelisting and blacklisting, and virtual in-headset support.

Learn more from the manufacturer 

Pico Neo 4 – Note, this product is currently not available in the U.S., but PIXO has a close relationship with Pico so here is what we have been able to learn and experience firsthand about the headset. 

When we first opened the box we fell in love with the look and feel of the headset. The Pico 3 was easy to setup to begin with, but the 4 has taken the simplicity of setup to another level. Compared to the 3, the weight on the front end of the Pico 4 has been reduced by 26.2% and the thickness by 38.3%. There are many new and improved features of the Pico 4 compared to the 3 including Pancake optical lenses which makes the headset lighter while giving you a wider field of view and clearer images. A brand new technology advancement to the Pico lineup is color see through. You are now able to see the real world through the headset with one click of a button. Just like with the Pico 3, the same PIXO append MDM pros also apply to the Pico 4.

Learn more from the manufacturer

HTC Vive Focus 3 – HTC really focus on the controller-free VR and high fidelity hand tracking. You are able to set your controllers down at any point to activate hand tracking which allows you to interact with virtual surroundings in a new way. You are also able to navigate menus with a simple pinch of your fingers, click, drag, type, and scroll with your bare hands, and customize your boundaries without the need of a controller. Some of the top technical aspects of the headset include: 5K resolution, 120 degree field of view, and an active cooling mechanism which maintains the device temperature at an ideal level. 

Casting with the Vive Focus 3, is an easy experience and allows you to share what you are seeing in the headset in real time with anyone else. The PIXO app works in the MENA region with the vive in the and allows for quick, easy, distribution of your VR training. Pairing an MDM with the HTC Vive Focus 3 enhances the experience of the headset by improving: device inventory and tracking, application distribution and updates, password enforcement, application whitelisting and blacklisting, and virtual in-headset support.

Learn more from the manufacturer

New Headsets Our Customers are Most Excited About

Lenovo ThinkReality VRX – Note, this product is currently not available but will be debuting later this month, PIXO has been working closely with the Lenovo team and this is what we know so far about their new VR headset. 

The Lenovo ThinkReality VRX headset is made for enterprise. It has been engineered to meet the needs of enterprise organizations and is built for long life and reliable operation. It also supports enterprise-grade security practices with a secure supply chain and manufacturing process. 

The VRX will come equipped with 6DoF experiences and full-color, high resolution passthrough capabilities. From a comfortability factor, the VRX is different from Pico or Quest where it does not have the over the head strap, and the battery is positioned in a way that it leads to better weight distribution. 

Learn more from the manufacturer

Overall, no matter what your organization’s needs are, there is a headset out there for you. Ranging from the seamless integration of PIXO’s app with the Pico 3 and 4, the new 6DoF experiences with the Lenovo VRX, or the controller free hand tracking with the HTC Vive, you are bound to find the perfect headset for your organization’s training needs. There are other headsets currently on the market, but these are our customers’ top picks.

Pico Neo 3 and Pico Neo 4 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pico XR. Pico Neo 3 and Pico Neo 4 are a product of Pico XR and/or its subsidiaries.

HTC Vive Focus 3 is a trademark or registered trademark of HTC. HTC Vive Focus 3 is a product of HTC and/or its subsidiaries.

Levono ThinkReality VRX is a trademark or registered trademark of Lenovo. Lenovo ThinkReality VRX is a product of Lenovo and/or its subsidiaries.

Quick Service Restaurants using Virtual Reality Training Can Expect:

Accelerate Onboarding and Training

Streamline the onboarding process and get new hires up to speed quickly. Virtual reality training allows employees to practice tasks, such as order taking, food preparation, and customer interactions, in a risk-free environment, ensuring confidence and proficiency.

Consistent and Standardized Practices

Ensure consistency across your QSR chain with standardized training. Virtual reality provides controlled simulations, allowing employees to follow uniform protocols and procedures, resulting in a consistent customer experience across all locations.

Improve Customer Service Skills

Elevate your team’s customer service skills through immersive scenarios. Employees can practice handling challenging situations, enhancing their communication, problem-solving, and empathy skills. This translates into customer interactions and increased customer satisfaction.

Enhance Food Safety and Quality

Virtual reality training enables employees to practice proper food handling and safety protocols. From hygiene practices to food preparation techniques, employees can learn and refine their skills in a controlled environment, ensuring the highest food safety standards.

Continuous Learning and Upskilling

Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth within your QSR. Virtual reality training allows for ongoing development, keeping employees updated with new menu items, promotions, and industry trends, resulting in a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.

For more information on how PIXO is improving training and customer satisfaction through VR training, click here!

1. Upselling Techniques: VR training can simulate realistic scenarios where employees practice effective upselling techniques. By providing employees with interactive experiences and guidance, they can enhance their skills in recommending additional menu items or upgrades, leading to increased average ticket size.

2. Efficient Order Taking: VR training allows employees to practice order taking in a simulated environment, improving their accuracy and speed. By honing their skills through virtual scenarios, employees can process orders more efficiently, reducing wait times and improving overall speed of service.

3. Streamlined Food Preparation: Virtual reality training can simulate food preparation scenarios, enabling employees to practice assembling orders quickly and accurately. By enhancing their efficiency and precision in food preparation, employees can reduce preparation time, leading to faster service.

4. Enhanced Product Knowledge: VR training provides a platform for employees to explore and learn about various menu items, ingredients, and preparation methods. By immersing themselves in virtual environments, employees gain a deeper understanding of the menu, allowing them to answer customer questions promptly and accurately, leading to smoother and faster service.
   
   
5. Standardized Training Across Locations: Virtual reality training ensures consistent training practices and standards across different QSR locations. By providing employees with standardized training experiences, QSRs can achieve a uniform level of efficiency and speed of service, regardless of the specific location.

For more information on how PIXO is improving training and customer satisfaction through VR training, click here!

1. High Employee Turnover: QSRs often face high turnover rates, resulting in the need for frequent training and onboarding. VR training offers a standardized and efficient solution, allowing new employees to undergo immersive training experiences that accelerate their learning curve, reducing training time and costs associated with frequent turnover.

2. Consistency in Service Delivery: Maintaining consistent service quality across multiple locations can be challenging. VR training ensures standardized practices by providing employees with realistic simulations that guide them through standard operating procedures, ensuring consistent service delivery and customer experiences.

3. Customer Service Skills Development: QSRs rely on excellent customer service to build customer loyalty. VR training enables employees to practice customer interactions, handle difficult scenarios, and develop strong communication and problem-solving skills. This helps enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to increased business growth.

4. Food Safety and Handling: Maintaining proper food safety and handling practices is critical in QSRs. VR training allows employees to practice food preparation, hygiene, and safety protocols in realistic simulated environments. By reinforcing best practices, QSRs can minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure consistent compliance with safety regulations.

5. Operational Efficiency: VR training can improve operational efficiency by allowing employees to practice tasks like order taking, food assembly, and equipment operation. Employees can gain confidence and proficiency through simulated experiences, resulting in faster and more accurate service, reduced errors, and improved overall operational efficiency.

6. Cost-Effective Training: Traditional training methods often involve costs associated with physical resources, printed materials, and hiring trainers. VR training eliminates these expenses by offering a cost-effective alternative. Once the initial VR infrastructure is in place, QSRs can replicate and scale training programs without incurring significant additional costs.

7. Remote Training and Accessibility: VR training enables remote training opportunities, making it accessible to employees across different locations. This flexibility allows QSRs to provide consistent training experiences and reach a broader workforce, regardless of geographical constraints.

By addressing these challenges with virtual reality training, QSRs can enhance employee skills, improve operational efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

For more information on how PIXO is improving training and customer satisfaction through VR training, click here!

For those companies that have experimented with VR and found it too difficult to implement, this article details the new tools available to streamline access and distribute VR content to employees anywhere in the world, anytime.

The ideal way to manage and distribute VR content

The PIXO platform makes VR training distribution simple. With one system, enterprises can provision VR content directly to devices and users for immediate download, enabling the technology to scale.

Our all-in-one, cloud-based platform allows organizations to access, distribute, and manage all of their VR training (and other XR content) across numerous global endpoints and thousands of devices and users, all from one easy-to-use, web-based portal. For businesses looking to distribute VR Training content and use it simply and easily across an organization, it represents the perfect solution. 

How does it work?

The PIXO platform gives administrators an easy way to create, edit, and manage users within their organization. Administrators can extend and revoke permissions, collect and analyze session data on dashboards, and distribute training content directly to XR devices. Once provisioned, content can be downloaded on the headset by users and played instantly. PIXO has a user app that is downloaded onto the VR headset itself. When users login via the headset, they can pull any content they’ve been given permission to use.

Why existing tools (like MDM) aren’t enough

MDM solutions have a device-centric approach to content distribution. This means the exact headset a learner will use needs to be pre-loaded with content. This is a difficult task at the scale of an enterprise training program. An MDM also requires many steps to achieve this (see illustration)—which is cumbersome at scale.

PIXO has taken a different approach that makes XR content distribution simple. PIXO’s approach focuses on the user and the specific content needed by that user. No forethought or planning is required to ensure the right content is delivered to a specific device at the right time.

What content can PIXO distribute?

The PIXO platform has a library of existing standard VR training content available for licensing and use. The library contains training courses for everything from soft skills to hard skills that apply across industries. There is also industry-specific content and training to meet OSHA requirements. Any of this content can be distributed using the PIXO platform. PIXO can also distribute custom VR training content, regardless of who created it. 

But PIXO doesn’t stop at VR training. The PIXO platform is extremely flexible in its design as it can manage and distribute any VR, MR, or AR content (as a group this is referred to as XR, or extended reality, content). And PIXO can deliver that content to any device. That means that PIXO can work as a company-wide XR orchestration platform. And that means it can grow alongside the increasing use cases for XR technology in the workplace.

Clear benefits to using PIXO for XR content 

VR training experiences allow employees to learn and test themselves in a 3D immersive environment without negative repercussions. And not only does VR increase the learning and retention rate for employees, but it’s also a major draw for recruiting new employees who see working with VR as a perk of the job.

As the need for VR training increases, even the largest enterprises can use PIXO to access a complete end-to-end solution to distribute and manage content across several continents and end users efficiently. Fundamentally, the PIXO platform was designed to address the challenges of these new technologies so that corporations can take advantage of them.

The key benefits of using PIXO for XR content management are:

• Reduces the complexity of bringing VR content into your training program
• Provides access to the world’s largest library of VR training content
• Makes it easy to manage, distribute, and track use of VR content
• Scales at an enterprise level and can grow with your use of XR

Want to get a demo of the PIXO platform? Submit your info here to get started.

PIXO Has Improved VR Management to One Easy Step

As VR training becomes more prevalent in enterprise, one of the leading issues users have identified is how complicated managing the training seems. With PIXO, VR management has been simplified to just one easy step.

Click Here

Overwork is a global killer—and its getting worse

A study performed by WHO (World Health Organization) found that overwork kills more than 745,000 people a year. The study proved that people who work over 55 hours a week have a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease. Furthermore, the number of deaths from heart disease due to overworking increased 42% over the 16 years of the study.

The WHO study did not include the past few years of the pandemic where lots of job openings have caused workers to put in extra hours to cover responsibilities. Additionally, remote work has become prevalent in many industries and a recent study performed by Microsoft says this is a major cause of employee burnout. The survey of 20,000 in 11 countries revealed that nearly 50% of employees and 53% of managers say they are burned out at work. 

Despite concerns over quiet quitting, the study said that 90% of workers reported that they were productive at work and the average hours worked and number of meetings each week was on the rise. However, 85% of managers said they were not confident their employees were being productive—which means the pressure is higher than ever for employees to work more.

Bottom line, employees are at extremely high risk of burnout, causing physical and mental health concerns. This equates to missed work days, higher healthcare costs, and losing good employees. And all of this means that poor employee wellness is a bigger cost than ever for companies.

How virtual reality (VR) can improve employee wellness

So what can companies do to improve employee wellness? 

There are a lot of operational changes, such as educating managers on overwork concerns, giving them tools to better manage remote workers, and reducing meeting expectations. This can take a lot of time and may not solve the underlying problems. However, there is something companies can do to give employees a way to better manage stress—provide them a fun and easy way to lower heart rate and gain focus. And VR is an amazing tool to deliver this.

Meditation has been shown to have numerous benefits for individuals, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration, and promoting overall well-being. In the workplace, these benefits can translate into increased productivity, better decision-making, and improved job satisfaction. Additionally, meditation can help to create a more positive and relaxed work environment, which can lead to better team dynamics and improved communication.

This sounds great, but mandatory meditation classes don’t seem like a fit for most workplaces and won’t work at all for remote workers. This is where VR can help. 

Virtual reality courses on meditation can teach employees how to meditate and headsets can be donned at home or in the office for a quick meditation session. The nature of virtual reality allows employees to completely immerse themselves in the experience and get the full value of the purposeful break. Companies will never be able to completely remove stress from work, but they can help employees to better manage that stress.

Meditation VR training is in use for corporate and remote workers

A VR training course called The Meditation Space is gaining popularity for companies to help improve employee wellness. Offering a small quiet room and a headset in a work environment as well as delivering the content wirelessly to remote workers is a simple way to encourage wellness breaks.
This VR meditation content has hundreds of nature videos, different guides, and many music options to take employees on a personalized meditation break. This content is often provided as a part of a mindfulness program that includes VR content for breathing exercises and for personalized instruction on self improvement.

When meditation breaks are readily available, employees are able to reduce burnout, reduce negative emotions, and are overall more refreshed and focused.

VR Meditation is a catalyst for improving employee wellness

If it’s not already, employee wellness should be a growing concern for companies. Improving overall wellness can improve employee productivity and engagement, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and lower healthcare costs. Additionally, investing in employee wellness can also improve a company’s overall reputation and attract top talent. And nothing makes a better, faster impact on this than a distribution of VR meditation and mindfulness training content.

Benefits to providing VR for meditation and mindfulness training

• Decreases stress – the number one benefit of meditation during the workday is an immediate reduction in stress. And regular meditation will have a long term impact on lowered stress levels.
• Lowers costs of unplanned absences – less sick and mental health days means less cost due to overtime, coverage, and loss of productivity. 
• Lowers healthcare costs – mental wellness and physical wellness are interwoven. Less sick time and lowering instances of heart disease from overwork will greatly reduce healthcare costs for the company. 
• Improves morale – offering meditation training shows a company cares about the welfare of their employees. Plus, lower stress means better attitudes at work and this can quickly spread and greatly improve company morale.
• Increases effectiveness – reducing stress levels has been shown to make employees more effective at communications and getting work done. It’s not about working more hours, but making the hours you are working as effective as possible.

Hybrid work environments are here to stay. And that means overwork and burnout will continue to be a problem. Companies need to take purposeful action to help employees manage this new normal. VR meditation is just what companies need to make a difference.

Wondering how to get started with VR training?

For learning and development leaders looking to help their company’s thrive, VR training is the answer. VR content naturally compliments existing training content to provide employees with ways to apply and practice skills needed to be successful. 

Want more evidence for leadership on the cost cutting benefits of VR training? Read whitepaper here!

In our previous whitepaper we covered how to bring VR into your training program, get the step-by-step guide here!

Download the whitepaper: 5 Ways VR Training Helps Companies Even in an Economic Downturn’: