Augmented reality training can be a highly transformative part of workforce development. It offers benefits like enhanced engagement and improved retention while still cutting the cost of your training programs dramatically.
However, to enjoy these benefits, you need to pin down two important elements—hardware (headsets, phones, or tablets) and software. If you’re curious about hardware, we have some fantastic device recommendations in our supported devices list.
Here, we’ll be focusing on software. In this ArborXR guide, we’ll review the essential software solutions you need in your corner when launching AR training initiatives. We’ll also share a few tool recommendations to help you get started.
What is Augmented Reality (AR) Training Software?
Augmented reality (AR) software is a catch-all term for the software solutions you’ll need throughout your AR training program’s lifecycle. Yes, there’s a long list of software options that fall under this umbrella.
However, we think these three categories are especially important:
- AR device management (MDM) solutions
- Training content software
- Analytics software
Now, you might be wondering—why these three? Great question. Let’s answer that before moving forward.
Why Is AR Training Software Important?
AR Device Management (MDM) Solution
Managing AR devices at scale can be incredibly difficult. Even with relatively small fleets of AR devices, simple tasks can become major, program-crippling barriers.
Here are a few of the biggest issues our customers face:
- Being unable to track the location of devices
- Manually installing content by plugging in devices one by one
- Lack of control over device settings and configurations
A great XR MDM solution solves these problems by giving you a centralized command center for all AR devices, content, data, etc. It streamlines processes, increases efficiency, and reduces the risk of human error.
Training Content Software
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. It’s the software you use to create or deliver training content to your trainees via AR device. No AR training happens without it.
Why do we say “create” and “deliver”? Some AR training software is delivered to you as a ready-to-install module. Either you select an off-the-shelf solution to build a program around or have one custom-built for your training needs.
Other AR training software offers you a toolset that you can use to create your own content from scratch.
Analytics Software
Last but not least, you’ll need data to see if your training is performing well.
Analytics software helps you track how trainees engage with the content, monitor their progress, and spot areas for improvement. It’s the only way to make sure your training is actually working and delivering the results you want.
The great thing about an XR MDM solution like ArborXR is that it also has built-in device and training analytics. However, options like InformXR offer analytics as a standalone feature.
Note: This list has covered the kinds of tools that will be essential for every AR training program, no matter which AR device you choose. Going forward, we’ll focus on solutions that are specifically tailored to AR headsets, as we feel these are currently the most effective and immersive devices for AR training.
3 Best Augmented Reality Training Software Solutions
- Avrio
- Arvizio
- InformXR
1. Avrio
Avrio is the first AR content provider on our list.
They provide immersive AR training products for high-risk, low-frequency situations in public institutions, like police, military, and fire departments. But they’re also happy to help you create custom AR training content tailored to your needs—just reach out to the team.
Key Products
- Stratscape: Simulate real-life scenarios for incident command training, ideal for emergency responders and leaders dealing with natural disasters, hazmat incidents, fires, etc.
- Watchword: Offer immersive, hands-on police training, including preparation for active shooter situations and other critical scenarios.
- Custom Training Content: Need something specific? Create custom AR training content tailored to your specific training scenarios.
Pricing
Avrio doesn’t list its pricing online, so you’ll need to contact its team for a quote.
2. Arvizio
Arvizio is another top-of-the-line AR content provider worth considering —especially if you want to use AR to train field service and frontline technicians.
Their main product is AR Instructor, which lets you create all sorts of engaging instructional AR workflows. Step-by-step guides are overlapped on top of real-world objects to train complex procedures in a way that just isn’t possible with traditional methods.
Arvizio can also help create custom AR training content tailored to your specific needs.
Key Features
- Digital Twin: Create a digital twin of your equipment and overlay it in a physical space for training.
- Equipment Workflow: Project digital instructions right onto your actual equipment to teach maintenance, procedures, or assembly.
- Remote Collaboration: Let remote experts guide your onsite trainees with a “see what I see” experience, complete with digital annotations.
- Video Player: Add videos to your AR experience, allowing trainees to pause, play, or replay as needed.
Pricing
Contact the Arvizio team to discuss pricing.
3. InformXR
InformXR is an analytics software that provides a dashboard for tracking and understanding data from your AR headsets—mainly how, where, and by whom they’re being used. Easy access to this data makes it easier to make data-driven decisions when designing and managing AR training programs.
Another plus? You can integrate InformXR with ArborXR to enrich your dashboard with third-party analytics.
Key Features
- Content completion rates: Track the number of training content completed by users.
- Average session durations: Track how long trainees stay engaged in each session.
- Sessions by device type: Check usage data based on the type of device being used for training.
- Progress per user: Monitor individual progress to make sure training goals are on track.
Pricing
As of now, InformXR is completely free to use.
Manage Your AR Training Devices With a Dedicated AR MDM: ArborXR
Remember when we talked about the importance of an MDM? Well, that’s exactly where ArborXR comes in to lend a hand. ArborXR is an XR device management (XR MDM) platform that provides a complete, top-down view of all your AR headsets. It’s designed to help you manage and deploy AR headsets, install content and updates, and create single and multi-app kiosk experiences that minimize distractions and boost training efficacy.
More than 3,000 global organizations (including 50+ Fortune 500 companies) trust ArborXR to help them maximize the impact of their XR initiatives while reducing admin workload, risk, and costs. Some names you might recognize include Walmart, Bank of America, and Delta Air Lines.
“Our VR users aren’t tech experts, but ArborXR makes it easy for them to update, troubleshoot, and control the headsets.”
Kevin Marcum, Program Manager VR/AR at Delta Air Lines
But device management is just part of what we offer our customers. With years of experience in the XR industry, our team of XR specialists is ready to guide you every step of the way—from finding AR content to choosing headsets to scaling your program past the pilot stage.
We also have direct connections with top industry AR content providers. Our XR directory is a fantastic resource for finding vetted, high-quality developers for off-the-shelf or custom content for your AR training programs.
Key Features
- Device Management: Take full control of your fleet of AR headsets with ease—adjust settings, check their status, and track their locations all from one place.
- Content Installation: Remotely install training apps and content on all your AR headsets in one go—no need for cables, device redistribution, or manual installations.
- Single and Multi-App Kiosk Experiences: Keep users locked into a single app with Kiosk Mode, or give them access to a set of approved apps within a branded environment with ArborXR Home.
- Analytics: Track how much time learners are spending in apps so that you can spot any patterns or issues in real time.
Pricing
Business Pricing
Education Pricing
Free trial: 30 days access to the Essential plan
Streamlining Your AR Training with The Right Solutions
AR training software is crucial to the success of any augmented reality training program. In this article, we’ve covered three categories and four specific software solutions that can help make your program a hit.
The most important piece? An AR MDM like ArborXR. ArborXR gives you a powerful remote dashboard to easily deploy and manage your headsets, install apps and updates, and create single or multi-app kiosk experiences—all at scale.Ready to simplify and supercharge your AR training with ArborXR? Try out a 30-day free trial today.
