Following a period of beta testing, Microsoft Mesh, an immersive content creation suite for designing custom immersive experiences for enterprise end-use, is scheduled to be released in January 2024. Teams Premium members also have access to the Mesh suite for custom creations.
As part of the Ignite 2023 online showcase event, Microsoft announced this news along with an update on Microsoft innovations in enterprise-grade XR, industrial metaverse, and AI solutions.
Microsoft Mesh is a suite of no-code tools and integrated Unity features that help enterprise customers create custom, immersive spaces.
Mesh allows companies to create custom, immersive experiences tailored to their specific business needs, including employee events, training, tours, and product showcases.
XR project managers can choose from a collection of pre-built immersive environments available through the Mesh platform. Developers then personalize the space using no-code/Unity tools to create templates that the entire organization can access and use.
Microsoft plans to reveal more details about its Mesh for enterprise service as it approaches its general availability release in January 2024. However, Microsoft mentions additional features such as presenter enhancements, attendee engagement options, and interactivity.
Also at Ignite 2023, Microsoft also showed off its updated Avatar for Teams system, which will debut alongside Mesh next year.
More information: Microsoft Mesh
Microsoft Mesh is currently in a public testing period, and the company is preparing the service for its debut in 2024. Following Mesh’s latest updates at the Microsoft Build 2023 event, the company is working with select enterprise end users to showcase and improve the service. The company is also working hard to highlight how its other XR ambitions, like Hololens 2, are finding success in the workplace, preparing for what looks to be a big XR year for Microsoft.
Microsoft has introduced a new update that will be generally available in January through a public release at Build 2023. The Mesh platform also provides cross-platform connectivity for VR headsets such as Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro, PCs, laptops, and more. This gives you the flexibility to join meetings with your real face or virtual avatar.
Mesh is a solution that aims to build digital coexistence while reducing the need for movement by creating flexible, agile and immersive workspaces. With Mesh, Microsoft hopes to help customers minimize travel costs, saving companies time and money.
Japanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda will begin using Mesh for learning and collaboration initiatives in 2023, according to a Microsoft case study. The company has created several environments on the Mesh platform, such as Hirameki Garden. This immersive space transported employees to a center for cultural learning, new hires, and socialization. Takeda has also developed an immersive museum to showcase the company’s products, history, culture, and employees.
Other companies have also leveraged this technology, including Accenture, DXC Technology, PwC, the World Economic Forum, and Telefonica. Many companies have used Mesh to host guided tours, hire new employees, and host industry events. The platform features scenes that reflect real-world locations, and Accenture also used it in its One Accenture Park space for onboarding and training new employees.
The Mesh update follows months of hype, with Microsoft highlighting its industry Metaverse roadmap through 2024. With recent Ignite updates including Dynamic Giudes and Avatars for Team, Microsoft appears to be back in the XR race. The XR space, along with Apple, Meta, etc., could see a resurgence in 2024.