
Pfizer: Transforming How We Train with XR
- March 1, 2023
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Episode Summary
How do you take a pilot project for immersive technology and introduce it to one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world? Pfizer’s Smart Factory Technology Manager, Nick Hockley, says it comes down to one word: “Consistency.” Change is hard. It’s even harder when you reinvent new processes and training with an emerging, evolving technology like VR and AR.
In this episode, Will and Brad talk about what it takes to implement XR in enterprise. Nick reflects on all the necessary steps, from showing proof-of-concept, measuring success and impact, creating AR/VR content in house, having consistent conversations with key decision-makers internally, being patient with the process, and more.
Key Moments
- Getting started in XR with Pfizer (01:09)
- What was it like implementing new immersive technology (04:19)
- How did you go from pilot project to full-scaled XR deployments? (06:55)
- What has been successful in XR, and how have you measured that success? (13:23)
- In-house app development vs. working with vendors (20:13)
- Changing the dialogue about XR internally as you see success (24:39)
- What does device management look like in enterprise for XR? (28:10)
- Why did you decide to use in-house app developers? (29:37)
- What headsets do you recommend for enterprise? (33:52)
- What might surprise us about the future of XR? (35:55)

About the Guest
Nicholas Hockley is an experienced XR Product Manager with 6+ years of leading teams that develop, deploy, and implement award winning XR solutions for the Enterprise. He manages a portfolio of 3D solutions including but not limited to VR Trainings, Enterprise Metaverse, 3D scanning solutions, and XR device support systems.
He is currently the Solution Owner for the Virtual Reality workstream on the Pfizer Digital Manufacturing team focusing on creating 3D experiences that open new pathways for learning, collaboration, and operation.
Links and Resources
Learn more about getting started with XR in our ultimate guide to managing VR training for work.
Episode Transcript
Brad Scoggin: Hey there, welcome to “XR Industry Leaders” with ArborXR. My name is Brad Scoggin, and I am the CEO and one of three co-founders of ArborXR. And we’ve had the opportunity of working with thousands of companies since 2016, and we’ve learned a ton about what it takes for XR to be successful in your organization.
Will Stackable: And I’m Will Stackable, co-founder and CMO. This podcast is all about interviewing the leaders who are on the ground making XR happen today. True pioneers in the space from Amazon, Walmart, and UPS to Koch, Pfizer, and beyond to uncover the pitfalls, lessons learned, and secrets that you can use to help grow XR in your organization.
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Episodes

WestRock: How XR is Accelerating Manufacturing
XR champion Scott Burkey discusses the impact AR and VR is having on manufacturing, challenges implementing new technology, and advice for using XR in business.

Pfizer: Transforming How We Train with XR
XR leader Nicholas Hockley discusses how XR transformed the way Pfizer trains, challenges with AR/VR content, moving from a pilot program to scale, and more.

Futurus: Set Up XR Pilot Programs for Success
Futurus CEO Annie Eaton discusses creating AR/VR content, how to set up XR pilot programs for success, challenges in XR, advice for new adopters, and more.

UPS: We Know XR is Going to Work
Learn how UPS built XR training as a practice. We discuss using AR/VR in business, challenges and benefits of XR training, advice for new adopters & more.

INVISTA (Koch Industries): What if We Reimagined Our Entire Training Process?
Learn how XR is transforming INVISTA (Koch). We discuss using AR/VR in business, challenges and benefits of XR training, strategy to scaling XR adoption & more.

WestRock: How XR is Accelerating Manufacturing
XR champion Scott Burkey discusses the impact AR and VR is having on manufacturing, challenges implementing new technology, and advice for using XR in business.

Pfizer: Transforming How We Train with XR
XR leader Nicholas Hockley discusses how XR transformed the way Pfizer trains, challenges with AR/VR content, moving from a pilot program to scale, and more.

Futurus: Set Up XR Pilot Programs for Success
Futurus CEO Annie Eaton discusses creating AR/VR content, how to set up XR pilot programs for success, challenges in XR, advice for new adopters, and more.

UPS: We Know XR is Going to Work
Learn how UPS built XR training as a practice. We discuss using AR/VR in business, challenges and benefits of XR training, advice for new adopters & more.

INVISTA (Koch Industries): What if We Reimagined Our Entire Training Process?
Learn how XR is transforming INVISTA (Koch). We discuss using AR/VR in business, challenges and benefits of XR training, strategy to scaling XR adoption & more.
Upcoming

Upcoming Episode
Amazon (AWS)
With Stephen Curtis, Senior Prototyping Architect for Spatial Computing at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Available: March 2023