Sometimes, no matter how transferable the innovation behind many applications or software solutions may be, it’s difficult to imagine them in another context, or industry. But that risks missing an opportunity to add value to what you do, whatever your line of business.
Consider, for a moment, the tech that has changed the world more than any other single invention. The internal combustion engine is trusted technology that with sector-specific modification, can be deployed into any industry that needs to move things from one place to another.
From agriculture to zoos, everyone uses an engine-propelled vehicle for something. Okay, so the laudable drive to phase out these grubby climate change enablers means more engines being charged by power cable than reloaded at the petrol pump, but the argument remains sound.
While the engine revolutionised our world, it did so only incrementally, not everything, immediately. It took the vision of industry innovators to realise the potential of this invention a sector at a time, transplanting it from a different industry to their own. Sometimes progress needs a little engineering and a leap of imagination to get going.
The inventor of the ambulance, for example, didn’t dismiss vehicles because they were already in use by the fire service. Instead, they realised that they could use a powerful engine, a siren and flashing lights, too! Just add room for a stretcher and lose the hoses.
We’ve used this simplistic and historically questionable comparison to make the case that it can pay to look at technology not just in its current context, but in yours. But engines are very old school. Is there not a more contemporary example? There are. And plenty of them.
Virtual reality, real benefits
Modern innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and particularly Virtual Reality (VR) have moved away from their original usage to become entirely different technologies. In this online article, VR Applications: 23 Industries using Virtual Reality, the writer makes exactly this case: that the same core technology can be redeployed in any number of situations across multiple sectors.
For example, Jaguar Land Rover were an early adopter and using a VR ‘cave’ to review designs have has already saved £8m in vehicle development costs. Another example of a virtual technology delivering real benefits is the Thomas Cook ‘Try before you buy’ holiday preview service that currently offers ‘trips’ to Greece, Egypt and Cyprus to offer three examples.
Meanwhile, Flipside XR use real-time animation and motion capture, to build interactive animated shows or live stream animated performances via VR. So, that’s the automotive, entertainment, and tourism sectors that have embraced the same technology, virtual reality, to get different results that took their companies forward.
Real-life example ahoy!
That’s the rationale we applied when working for this live music booking agency.
- Performer and promoter contact management
- Event management and overview
- Ticket sales monitoring
- Intelligent contracts production
- Tour planning
- Financial management
Many industries are using custom software to improve efficiencies, often by simplifying the process management function to reduce the risks of missed actions. That’s a transferable technology at work. Many of those sectors cited in the VR piece will be automating key, repetitive functions. For example, that functionality might include:
- Customer Relations Management (CRM)
- Workflow management (with management by exception)
- Transactional and reporting database
- API integration with external applications
- Configurable programmable document production
The key was to take the useful functionality from an existing application and make it bespoke to meet the specific industry needs of this customer. Some of the added value features include:
- An innovative, flexible search function instantly locates details of artists, promoters, venues, and contacts with other roles (e.g. make-up artists, sound technicians),
- A managed workflow for individual performances, festivals, and tours ensures event planning, contractual arrangements, and uses a prioritised notification system to remind agents and assistants of actions.
- Users have an overview of upcoming events for single artists or groups of artists in a calendar view configurable to each agent’s way of working.
- Pre-event ticket sales can be recorded, and real-time differentials presented as an important input to the marketing strategy for concerts, with consideration into purchasing trends of specific nationalities.
There’s more on this case study here.
But that’s enough about other customers, and us. What about you? If you’re looking to drive your business forward, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. The gamechanging innovation you need will combine the one-size-fits all features of our most proven applications, while adding the sector-specific functionality you need to make it work for you.
