Technology is constantly improving and enhancing our business processes. Ben Bennett, Managing Director at mixed reality technology company Luminous Group, outlines just some of the ways XR is set to revolutionise the supply chain.
Cross reality (sometimes called mixed reality, or XR) is a combination of reality and the virtual. You may have seen apps that allow us to use our smartphone camera to add virtual furniture into our rooms and digitally paint our walls — these use XR technology. But, did you know cross reality also has some great uses in business and finance? In this article, I’ll be telling you just some of the ways XR can transform the supply chain and keep costs down.
Improved efficiency in warehouses
XR has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency of warehouse logistics. Processing, picking, and packing can harbour some significant costs, but XR headsets have the power to reduce these by making the processes more efficient.
XR can optimise each process to be as accurate as possible. Often, picking can take time and is open to human error. XR allows users to scan barcodes, objects, and shelf placement to seamlessly navigate warehouses and pick the correct products at a much quicker rate. These XR headsets still allow warehouse staff to manually pick objects, while reducing the risk of human error, which can cost a lot to correct.
Improved transportation of goods
XR can also help to reduce the risk of products going missing during transportation. XR headsets can be used to scan the inside of freight trucks, measuring depth, and scanning the area to work out the number of palettes or parcels present. Staff can then check that the number matches up to how many there should be, and that there are none missing, before sending them on their way. The technology can even give specific instructions on how to best arrange parcels, tailored to the individual situation and making the whole process more efficient. This opens up the possibility for staff to transport larger amounts of products at any one time.
Improve logistics training
Training can take a lot of time and effort, but XR can make learning how to use operations and systems a lot easier. Gone will be the days of unengaging training videos, because this new technology has the potential to create realistic and fully immersive simulations. This means that staff can learn exactly how to act in certain situations, without the need for disrupting the real logistics environment. This is also a lot safer, as the XR technology can create situations for training that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do without risking harm to your staff.
Incorporating XR into the management of your supply chain could go a long way to making your processes more efficient. From picking, packing, transport, and training, XR is set to streamline each task, reducing the chance of human error and saving you time and money in the process.
