The use of augmented reality (AR) is an emerging trend in marketing and sales, one that allows brands and companies to give their customers unique experiences with the convenience of tapping into their mobile devices.
The B2B sales process has always been fraught with the tug-of-war between customer expectations and the limitations of what a vendor is realistically able to provide. AR has the potential to create significant improvements along the entire chain of the sales process.
In industries like machine tools, augmented reality can be used to showcase the machine and its equipment on the shop floor directly at the customer’s place instead of having to carry the whole setup to a customer’s place and then explaining the key features of the product.
Vibromech has developed a platform Satori which offers a set of 3D interactive tools to create multi-platform applications that “augment” the standard marketing process.
The platform engages the AR way of marketing where the machine can be loaded into the application along with sales-man stories that consists of marketing explanations built as 3D visuals and interactive demonstrations. The digital machines
can be placed on the shop floor directly for a visualisation of the machine in its future working environment.
This app can be used in conjunction with traditional printed marketing assets such as brochures and catalogues.
QR
codes can be used to activate the required 3D assets and experiences.
It is also possible to use image recognition to activate the 3D experience
To conclude, augmented reality in marketing for the machine tool industry is more than just a novelty in marketing. It will emerge to be one of the driving forces behind sales and marketing innovations over the next decade. Using AR, forward-looking businesses will be able to upgrade the experience they offer their customers, leading to increased business opportunities and sales.
