VRWorkplace- FAQs - Virtual Worlds for Work

What is VRWorkplace?

VRWorkplace is a consultancy that provides end to end virtual worlds advice, counsel, and support. VRWorkplace educates, advises, and provides tangible solutions to organizations concerning virtual worlds. Consider VRWorkplace your partner on all matters related to virtual worlds. Whether you are hoping to understand what the technology is, to formulate a strategy, to build a virtual environment, or to develop and implement HR training in-world, VRWorkplace can help. VRWorkplace also helps marketing and advertising organizations develop enterprise applications for virtual worlds.

What do you mean by virtual reality? And how does it work?

The concept of virtual reality is rather broad and may include virtual worlds technology, such as Second Life, and others like Facebook and Myspace. VRWorkplace uses virtual worlds technology in the enterprise to, among other things, bring employees closer together to improve collaboration, cohesion, and socialization. It also advises on how to use virtual worlds technology to improve customer relations.

To use Second Life, the user must download the Second Life client software, create an avatar, and enter the virtual world of Second Life. Once inside, the user can either be directed to a private workplace location or explore publicly available spaces. VRWorkplace advises enterprises on how to benefit from the technology, builds virtual environments, and develops business-minded virtual experiences.

Aren't you really describing a game?

No, not really. Although virtual worlds technology may have initially been created for games, they have far exceeded that use. VRWorkplace considers virtual worlds to be the next communications medium that will transform how we do business and live our lives. Consider that virtual worlds allow us to be "present" with each other in the same "place" unlike any technology yet developed. It creates immersive shared experiences spontaneously, and without travel.

This seems a bit far-fetched to me. Is anyone really doing this?

Yes, numerous companies that we all know use virtual worlds technologies internally for workplace collaboration. Others have used them for marketing purposes, with varying degrees of success. Multi-millions are being invested in the technology because it is quite revolutionary. Companies such as IBM, Cisco, Sun, and Accenture spend a great deal of time thinking about and working on virtual worlds. An apt analogy is to internet use in the early to mid-1990's.

Why is this solution better than existing ways of communicating? We already have telephone, fax, e-mail, teleconference, and even telepresence.

Ten years ago, many of us wondered why we needed the internet. We wondered why e-mail was an improvement over existing methods of communicating. Before that, we may have held on to typewriters as word processors were emerging. Virtual worlds are better because they create immersive experiences for people to share as if they were together in person. Nothing else achieves the feeling of togetherness that virtual worlds do. Teleconference, although an improvement over the telephone, is not immersive. Nor does it deliver a unique and memorable experience. Telepresence is much better, but it is largely immobile and very expensive. Virtual worlds can be accessed from a desktop, inexpensively. They are highly flexible and allow for redesign and redevelopment. Tomorrow your virtual conference room could be a medieval castle, if you so desire. Interactions within virtual worlds feel real, are highly memorable, and transform relationships. Additionally, other media such as video and audio can be fed into virtual worlds to enhance the experience.

So, should my company use virtual worlds technology to do business?

It depends. VRWorkplace will never sell you on the technology if it is not worthwhile for you. We believe that misuse of the technology will undermine it and our credibility. Virtual worlds are particularly good at bringing people together as if in person. If your enterprise does not need that help, virtual worlds may not yet be for you. That said, we would love to tell you more to see if there isn't something virtual worlds can help with.

Isn't it unwise for companies to use virtual worlds and Web 2.0 technologies?

It is easy for companies to enact policies prohibiting the use of these technologies. But then they would be "throwing out the baby with the bathwater." Virtual worlds and other Web 2.0 technologies, like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, can be tremendously powerful and effective business tools. As an experienced attorney and HR consultant, Dave Elchoness, VRWorkplace's Founder & CEO, can help your company adopt these extraordinary new technologies, while minimizing any risk that may concern you.

Does VRWorkplace operate only in Second Life?

No, VRWorkplace is familiar with many virtual worlds and the people who know most about them. VRWorkplace will help you find the solution, i.e. the place, right for you.