The Vertiv XR app allows users to preview and examine devices anywhere prior to purchase and installation. The main benefit of using AR in data center management is the immersive experience that allows operators to interact and visualize the data center in real-time.
Augmented Reality (AR) has revolutionized the consumer sector, particularly with social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok introducing new features and lenses to engage users. However, the impact of AR extends beyond social media, as gaming and e-commerce apps have also used it to improve their market position. With over 600 million downloads, Pokémon Go is one of the most famous examples of AR games.
The e-commerce sector is also adopting AR and VR, with furniture and makeup apps like Ikea Place, Wayfair and Sephora leading the way. While AR software dominates the market, AR hardware is still catching up, but that should change with Apple’s upcoming AR glasses, which will compete with Microsoft’s HoloLens.
Data Bridge Market Research shows that the Asia-Pacific AR and Mixed Reality (MR) market is expected to reach $191,619.41 million by 2029. This growth is expected to continue at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51.9% during the forecast period.
As a testament to this trend, even companies like Vertiv, which provides critical digital infrastructure, have entered the market with the launch of the Vertiv XR app. This virtual tool allows data center operators to visualize their products in their facility, improving planning and post-installation support. The app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Vertiv has made strides in digitizing its business, with the release of the Vertiv XR app being the latest advancement in this ongoing initiative. The app, which is the first of its kind to bring commercial technology typically used for home remodeling projects into data centers, has received recognition for its innovative approach to enhancing the customer experience. The Computing 2022 Technology Product Awards named it “Best Digital Transformation Product or Service – Enterprise,” and IT Channel gave it a five-star rating, calling it “the best augmented reality app tested in 2022.”
Cristian Scarpa, VP of Information Technology at Vertiv, explained that they built the app to bridge the gap between physical on-site interactions and digital experiences. “The app allows our customers and partners to make more informed purchasing decisions and recommendations, visualize in a tangible way how new products interact with their existing environment, and explore details about those products, all from the palm of their hand,” he added.
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The app guides users through product selection and placement, providing an immersive and realistic representation of the product in any location, be it a data center, office, lobby or living room. This app allows users to explore different Vertiv solutions at their own pace and comfort, and even share their experiences with others.
Use of augmented reality in data center management
The immersive experience that AR provides is the main benefit of using it in data center management. AR allows operators to view and interact with the data center in real time, allowing them to walk through and inspect individual servers and hardware components. Other benefits include improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and better decision-making capabilities.
By providing a 3D view of the data center, AR reduces the need for manual inspection and allows operators to optimize the layout of servers and hardware. This, in turn, helps companies stay competitive in the digital age. In addition, AR can help operators quickly identify and troubleshoot data center issues and provide training for staff on how to manage, maintain, and optimize the data center using AR simulations.
“This type of technology has been used for various consumer applications, helping homeowners see what new cabinetry in their kitchen or other siding on their home might look like, but we have never seen this type of application in data centers,” said Martin Coulthard, Global Vice President of Demand Generation Marketing at Vertiv. “We’re giving them the opportunity to see these devices before they buy, so they can make their Vertiv purchase with confidence.”
Vertiv’s comprehensive digitalization initiative aims to create and enhance digital assets that serve customers and partners and enable them to engage on their own terms. The main goal is to improve the online interactions between Vertiv and its users, make it more convenient for them to find what they need when they visit Vertiv.com or use the Vertiv XR app, and more targeted and fruitful interactions between them to allow Vertiv and its customers and partners.
