New information technology

New information technology

Problems faced by a company that the new technology can solve

All companies require personnel so that they can operate. For Walmart, a multinational chain of stores operating in the majority of states in America hires millions of workers. Therefore, the induction and training of new employees are necessary to ensure success. The training process is time-consuming and may take away from other profit earning activities. Lack of employee training can affect employee performance, increase the turn-over rates, and low production rates. Training does not only apply to new employees; with the introduction of new technology or any change in a company, re-training is necessary. The other problem that a company may face is the lack of qualified applicants who can fill the jobs available this is a problem faced by the majority of the human resource professionals. Walmart also faces the challenge of overcrowding, especially during holidays reducing customers’ satisfaction as they have to stand in long queues to access essential goods.

How a company would deal with the problem in the absence of the new technology

On the job training is used to help the new employees understand how the business operates. However, the company cannot depend on this alone; therefore, it has to cater for training experts and creating training models. Walmart will have to provide physical displays to enhance shoppers’ experience, such us setting up a show for furniture such that a shopper can have a vision on how it will look in their personal space.

What is undesirable about the solution applied in the absence of the new technology?

It is expensive as training experts need to be hired on the job training requires direction from other employees, which means that they have to take away from their activities to offer help to those under training. This action can affect the customer experience as the consumer may feel neglected. The provision of a physical display to attract consumers takes up a lot of space. Other products are better off occupying the space.

How the new technology solves the problem

The technology is the use of augmented reality and virtual reality

Augmented reality (AR) enhances learning by enhancing reality. One can experience AR with goggles, headsets, or smart devices. It integrates the virtual and physical worlds, enhancing what is viewed and providing more information for better understanding. It is user friendly and can be accessed anywhere. At any time, this means that human resource personnel only has to provide the devices to facilitate training through augmented reality. Virtual reality creates a stimulating environment with computer technology, recreates real-life experiences. It places the user in a specific context, Walmart can use this technology to help employees navigate through all challenges they face while they work. In case a shopper asks an employee how a drilling device works yet, the employee has no knowledge he can scan the item and learn the specifics without seeking help from a colleague. In doing this, the consumer experience is improved since the process is fast. The use of this technology also helps the human resources department provide sufficient employees since it can source some applicants from the unqualified pool. It is because they are confident that these employees can gain adequate training so that they can perform as per a company’s standards.  The technology can also provide safety training; the use of AR can stimulate a fire so employees can practice how to react and exit from such a hazard safely. It can also outline the different ways emergencies are taken care of, for example, how to respond to a total power break down.

Why AR and VR are superior

The use of AR and VR works better to improve a company’s performance as employees understand what they were doing, and they can navigate through all challenges presented with ease is. It also enhances the shopper’s experience by providing displays; for example, one can view how a dress fits them without having to go through the hassle of physical putting on the dress. The product is superimposed on the shopper. The initial acquisition of AR and VR technology can be expensive; however, they will not require constant repairs; it is an investment made once that will serve for long.

Additional information on augmented reality and virtual reality

The use of such technologies has become a trend, although it is facing particular challenges. Reluctance by employees is one of those challenges. The introduction of new technology always brings with it the threat of retrenchment from jobs, so it will take a lot of convincing, so the employees to agree to the use of AR and VR. The other challenge is usability, the AR’s and VR’s ought to be wearable so that the employees can move around with them quickly. They also use a lot of power; therefore, the battery should last long. VR, AR users, may have the negative effect of motion sickness before the user gets used to them. The technology is used in enhancing traditional learning modalities. “Imagine placing your phone on top of a textbook and having videos pop up for each section. Imagine you could get the definition for new terms in real-time,” says Lozano. It brings new life to traditional learning methods making it more exciting.

References

Lozano, J. (2018). What Augmented Reality Training Is And How To Leverage It In Your L&D Process. https://elearningindustry.com/what-augmented-reality-training-is-leverage-ld-process.