Picking an immersive learning partner for your augmented or virtual reality program can be a difficult task. From scouring the web for vendors to scheduling initial meetings, it can be tricky to know where to start when it comes to finding an immersive learning vendor that’s the right fit for you.
Check out our 5 recommended steps your organization should take when considering a new partner for your augmented or virtual reality training program:
- Research an organization’s website for products, case studies, and more
- Explore an organization’s capabilities
- Research an organization’s processes and internal team
- Evaluate any areas of specialization an organization may have
- Schedule a meeting, on-site visit, or invite the vendor to your organization
How do you pick what movie to watch if you’re stuck between 3 different options? One was just released, one stars your favorite actor, and another is by a highly-acclaimed director.
Picking a vendor for your augmented or virtual reality training program reflects this predicament. With countless vendors out there, it can be overwhelming to determine who will be the best partner for your immersive learning program. Luckily, we’re here to help guide you through this process!
At Roundtable Learning, our team of L&D experts implement custom training solutions according to our clients’ training needs. With over 20 years of experience in the immersive learning industry, we understand the difficult process of finding the right training solution provider for your organization.
This article will review 5 steps to help organizations choose the best partner for their augmented and virtual reality training programs.
5 Steps To Choose The Best Augmented And Virtual Reality Training Vendor
1. Research an organization’s website for products, case studies, and more
A vendor’s website is a great place to learn about their offerings and see if they meet your training requirements. In general, a vendor’s website will include the following information:
- Product offerings
- Case studies
- Client testimonials
- Awards
These materials provide insight into the organization’s work history, clientele, and services. You can read first-hand accounts from clients about their experience working with this particular vendor, as well as explore past projects that were a success. With this information, your organization can determine whether or not the vendor provides the products and services you need for your future training needs.
2. Explore an organization’s capabilities
It’s critical early on to explore an organization’s capabilities to ensure they can produce a training program fit to your needs. You’ll want to make sure a vendor can:
- Produce your learning content, whether it’s custom or off-the-shelf
- Deliver the training according to your requested modalities
- Provide additional technical support when needed
- Supply your organization with the required hardware (e.g. headsets, tablets, haptic gloves)
- Assist in the delivery and management of your training with an extended reality system (XRS)
For example, if your organization is looking to deliver a VR safety training activity to your learners, you’ll want to ensure your potential vendor can develop a VR training program based on the content you give them. Once that content is delivered, you should know whether or not your vendor will be there for continued support and management throughout your program’s lifespan.
3. Research an organization’s processes and internal team
When researching an organization’s processes and team, you should ask the following questions:
- How many people work at this organization and which personnel will be involved in the project’s development?
- What is the average cost of an AR or VR project offered by this organization?
- How many steps does it take for projects to get completed and how long will it take?
- Will a training needs analysis be conducted?
We suggest that your organization asks these questions once you’ve narrowed down your search to 3-5 vendors to avoid overwhelming yourself with too much information. By asking these questions, your organization can gain a comprehensive understanding of your potential vendor’s processes and team.
Read More: Three Key Criteria for Choosing the Right Custom Learning Partner
4. Evaluate any areas of specialization an organization may have
When choosing a partner for your AR or VR training, it’s important to remember that an organization may have certain areas of specialization. This could be a particular learning modality (e.g. eLearning, AR, or VR) or training topic (e.g. compliance, safety, onboarding).
Perhaps your organization is looking for a VR activity to provide learners with hands-on safety training. Or maybe your organization wants to implement an AR activity that onboards new hires by taking them on a scavenger hunt around their new workplace.
By selecting a vendor that specializes in your desired modality or training topic, you’ll work with a trusted expert in the field that develops training specifically for your needs.
5. Schedule a meeting, on-site visit, or invite the vendor to your organization
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few top vendors, your organization should schedule a time to meet with your potential partner. By meeting with vendors, whether in-person or virtually, your organization has a chance to directly specify your expectations and goals for the training.
You can meet with a potential vendor in any of the following ways:
- Book a virtual meeting with key project personnel to view demos
- Schedule an on-site visit to get to know your potential vendor and test out equipment
- Invite your potential vendor to your organization
This helps both parties ensure that the partnership is successful and will meet set training objectives.
Are You Ready To Find Your Perfect Immersive Learning Match?
Whether your organization is experiencing AR or VR training for the first time, or you’re experienced with immersive learning technologies, our team is here to help.
Feel free to reach out to one of our L&D experts today or check out more of our resources on all things learning technology in our resource center.
