In an online speaking session this week featuring XR end users and solution providers, the VRAR Association (VRARA) spoke about the real-world effectiveness of Meta’s recently launched headset management service for business.
The leading XR hardware and software provider introduced Meta Quest for Business in November, following previous iterations and beta testing phases. But following a lackluster push toward workplace XR with its Pro headsets, Meta is revamping its XR portfolio with comprehensive tools to capitalize on the much-hyped industrial Metaverse.
Meta officials like: CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Global President Nick Glegg It’s up to the end users of those solutions to determine whether a company’s XR portfolio is right for their business.
The enterprise XR space is full of big-name competitors, all claiming that their immersive solutions will bring the future of work into the present.
However, concerns are growing at VRARA over Mehta’s corporate (re)debut. In an online gathering, industry thought leaders and experts discussed how Meta’s “consumer-centric approach” could be compromising the quality of the company’s products.
Will Meta’s consumer focus destroy its corporate vision?
According to VRARA and its affiliates: Chris Colo, Global Managing DirectorMeta’s new foray into the business world, following the Oculus-era Quest Pro and other explorations, could be problematic.
Meta is an openly consumer-first XR solutions provider. The company’s latest Connect showcase clearly highlighted this, with a focus on gaming and consumer smart glasses.
Despite this consumer focus, Meta is keen to remain in the enterprise XR space while developing its consumer portfolio. But Meta may be making a commitment to the workplace without a strong product or development roadmap focused on delivering XR to the standards enterprise customers expect.
In particular, VRARA expressed concerns about meta-device, data, and code security. Apparently, Meta did not respond to VRARA’s request regarding the security of enterprises adopting XR technology.
Additionally, security concerns are doubled in part due to the operating requirements of meta-branded XR devices in the workplace.
In particular, VRARA highlighted how workers must log in with meta accounts for individual headsets, and Quest devices require WiFi hotspots, even in remote areas. By default, Meta Quest for Business users must log in individually, raising concerns about company data and privacy.
However, with shared mode (additional Meta Quest paid content for business), enterprise customers do not need to log in with a meta account, theoretically negating the security issue. Nonetheless, security issues arise if you operate the headset outside of paid shared mode.
Additional security concerns have led some VRARAs to believe that the coding of Quest hardware, along with connectivity issues, could lead to potential backdoor hacking threats.
Security is a big concern for XR’s enterprise customers. Companies representing sensitive sectors such as aviation, government, and healthcare are becoming the most notable adopters and drivers of XR today. Each industry requires very strong security measures to keep workers, systems, and data safe from predatory third parties.
If Meta can’t address security concerns for end users, other XR hardware vendors will take over for the company.
In particular, as the industry metaverse wave approaches in 2024, many companies such as Microsoft, AWS, and Meta are trying to lead the way. Microsoft and AWS are integrating many business-grade digital services and associated security measures to enable end users to securely adopt each vendor’s XR technologies.
For example, Microsoft-branded XR services have been used by major companies such as Sanofi, Nexco East, and SNC-Lavalin thanks to their existing security and application frameworks.
Meta, on the other hand, is working with clients such as Alstom and Esade Executive Education on enterprise products in its portfolio. The company also offers services like Microsoft Office and ShapesXR across its headset lineup, and Meta still supports enterprise Pro headsets.
Learn more about Meta Quest for Business
Meta Quest for Business is a subscription service that supports business users utilizing Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro devices. Meta introduced the service in November, allowing clients to deploy devices and applications across their teams. This service is currently available to enterprise users in supported regions including the US and UK.
Meta Quest for Business offers shared mode and Support Plus add-ons to enhance service for enterprise customers. Shared mode allows workers to participate without a Meta account. This has been a long-standing concern for Meta as it enters the digital business solutions landscape.
Meta Quest for Business provides a variety of XR workspace device management tools in its management portal. Team leaders can manage and maintain Meta headsets by assigning them to active subscriptions, while also assigning Meta Quest devices to employees.
The management portal also provides a team management hub where team leaders can assign accounts and devices using automation tools that streamline the process.
The service comes with a built-in MDM solution that gives team leaders direct control over a fleet of headsets, allowing them to set up bulk provisioning, assign profiles, configure Wi-Fi support, reset PIN access, review device status, remotely wipe devices, and more. It can be done.
Meta Quest for Business allows team leaders to manage the deployment of XR applications and software, controlling how Quest headsets access the applications, whether deploying them privately to a small group of users or making them publicly available for broad deployment. there is. Distribute immersive applications by invalidating the store on devices to download applications individually.
While concerns about security and adoption are fair regarding Meta’s mix of enterprise and consumer hardware, the company and its leaders appear to be taking the necessary steps to foster growth in each market.
Is Meta serious about the Industrial Metaverse and Enterprise XR?
Nick Clegg posted a video last November promoting the use of XR to corporate and education clients. The video comes as the company broadly advertises its portfolio as a means for end users to access industrial Metaverse applications, including Meta Quest for Bussiness, which launched the same month.
In a promotional video, Clegg highlighted the potential of Metaverse technology to transform work and education. He showcased how European companies are leveraging AR and VR to advance industries and improve people’s lives.
Clegg also added:
European business leaders such as Lufthansa, Iveco, Alstorm, and Decathlon are already using immersive technologies to develop products, train employees, and engage customers. – Other fields, such as virtual medicine, are using Metaverse technology in groundbreaking ways to support healthcare professionals, educators, and students in fully immersive digital environments. The effects of the metaverse are real, and they are happening right now. – As metaverse technology continues to develop, more and more opportunities will open up.
In a promotional video, Clegg emphasized the importance of laying the foundation for the future industrial metaverse based on increasing the talent pool, expanding the knowledge base, and exposure to new technologies.
Clegg explained that XR’s impact will grow as more developers get involved and more academic/commercial institutions adopt the hardware. He also noted that as immersive technologies mature, they will help overcome cultural and economic barriers and create more business opportunities across Europe.
Additionally, Meta aims to introduce many XR devices into homes during the 2023 holiday season, establishing the building blocks for workplace XR adoption. This consumer-centric strategy is designed to enable headsets to be used everywhere, every day, through improved optics and familiarity. As a result, XR technologies will no longer seem overwhelming or difficult to understand when presented to workplace decision-makers. This is similar to the approach smartphone vendors took when they made a name for themselves as workplace tools.