Hybrid workplaces and AR – Interview with Omnix Business Unit Head

In an exclusive interview with TECHx, Bhasker Raman, Regional Business Unit Head at Omnix Engineering, discusses how AR is used in hybrid workplaces, cyberrisks, and the company’s growth plans.

TECHx: Tell us how Omnix empowers organisations in this shifted business landscape with its solutions?

Raman: The shift to digitalization is happening much faster now, creating the need for more intelligent workflows in business.  At Omnix, we believe in empowering people by getting to the core of each client’s business requirements, challenges, and their future strategy. We evaluate and analyze the organization’s business needs and offer solutions which cater to all aspects of a business such as people, processes, training, implementation and governance.

TECHx: One of the most demanded emerging technologies currently is augmented reality (AR), but how can it be used to assist remote employees in the current hybrid workplace scenario?

Raman: Even though Augmented Reality (AR) technology has existed for decades, we see an exponential growth in recent times. AR provides users with the required information about processes directly into the virtual environment making it an effective tool to be used in many different industries. It also serves as a remote support solution that provides easy, fast, and secure Augmented Reality powered visual assistance to identify and solve problems from anywhere in the world. AR facilitates faster knowledge transfer and brings technicians up to speed with hands-on field training provided through remote visual assistance, in addition to smooth knowledge transfer by recording sessions.

AR also enables increased customer satisfaction by achieving better first-time fix rates and delivers exceptional, world-class service to customers without the need for adding resources. The technology has taken the center stage; from providing remote assistance and augmenting Building Information Modelling (BIM) data on a construction site, to collaborating with the design group where issues can be identified and corrected, saving time and money. It also helps businesses in minimizing travel costs by replacing on-site visits with remote expert help for service technicians and customers.

TECHx: Are there any cyber risks associated with integrating AR into remote work environments? If so, how can we avoid them?

Raman: Any new technology that is implemented comes under the radar for hackers to exploit. The growth of AR in several industries brings complexities as cyber threats are continuously evolving and targeting new technologies. Since AR and Virtual Reality (VR) uses apps which are encrypted, the risk becomes much less. However, new AR applications will need to come with increasingly effective cybersecurity technologies. It is also crucial that every organization ensures endpoint security to mitigate malware threats and the devices should have strong passwords, implementing cyber hygiene.  

TECHx: What are the goals Omnix has set for 2022, and how close are you to achieving those goals today?

Raman: Omnix is future-ready and remodeling its business strategy and objectives to become the “go-to” organization for partners, vendors and customers that are looking for cutting-edge technology services and solutions under one-roof.

We are proud of the resilience our business has displayed during these challenging times and we are working towards strong growth this year by actively pursuing new and existing business opportunities.