Virtual reality and augmented reality can help companies better visualize their data for faster and better data analysis to turning data into actionable insights. Today data sets are complex and massive, making it impossible for humans to analyze them on the same scale, quality, and speed that is possible by using technologies.

1. Using VR to Step Inside
Your Data: VR or
AR-Enabled
Analytics

2. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
Introduction
Introduction
Virtual reality and augmented reality can help companies better visualize their data for
faster and better data analysis to turning data into actionable insights. Today data sets
are complex and massive, making it impossible for humans to analyze them on the
same scale, quality, and speed that is possible by using technologies.
Do you only think virtual reality (VR) is only for gamers? There are a lot of useful
applications for VR aside from gaming, but one of the lesser-known, but potentially
even more fun, applications for VR and augmented reality (AR) is for data analytics. Yes,
data analysis can be fun when you can “step inside your data®” as BadVr.com, one
company that provides an immersive analytics platform, encourages you to do!
Using VR to Step Inside Your Data: VR or AR-
Enabled Analytics

3. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
AR and VR Could Change the Way We Analyze Data
While bar graphs and pie charts used to be the go-to tools to visualize data, they just
aren’t able to illustrate the complexity in the data we collect today.
To leverage the immense amount of data we collect every day, insights need to be
extracted by more than just data scientists. Making data easier to understand even for
those who don’t have a data background is one of the ways artificial intelligence and
augmented/virtual realities can really transform data analytics in an organization.
The visualization of data helps users better understand it and recognize patterns. AR and
VR help a user interact with the data to make it easier to glean insights. It isn’t often
possible to see crucial information such as data clusters at the intersection of several
dimensions in traditional 2D data visualizations.
With AR and VR, users can interact with the data—as data can be in front of, behind,
above, and to either side of a user, literally surrounding them. VR and AR can make
collaboration easier across teams who are in different locations.

4. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Benefits of VR and AR in Data Visualization
Modern datasets are multivariate. In order to have humans effectively analyze the
complexity of data today without VR and AR, they have to manually pull together 2D
representations, reports, graphs, and the like, to try to inform decision-making. VR/AR
allows users to see everything at once, allowing a holistic vantage of the data that’s
impossible with traditional ways of data visualization.
Another benefit of VR and AR in data visualizations is that it uses a human’s natural
instinct to think about and process data in multiple dimensions. The immersion of a user
in the data representation makes it possible to communicate data attributes in numerous
positions.
A greater density of data can be displayed at once, which can allow much faster cognitive
processing of the information than in a 2D representation. The human brain processes
information faster when it’s presented in multiple dimensions.

5. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Benefits of VR and AR in Data Visualization
AR/VR technology opens up data analytics to a broader user group than just data
scientists. It can allow more humans to be involved in monitoring neural networks and
machine learning models to ensure that the machine's decisions continue to be ethical,
fair, and reasonable.
And, AR and VR can make data analysis more fun. Since data-driven decisions are the way
for companies to remain competitive, it’s important that humans embrace data analysis.
By “stepping into the data,” data analysis is no longer an exercise of pouring over
spreadsheets and reports but rather an immersive experience that can actually be fun!

6. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Examples of Immersive Data Analytics
Bader, the world's first immersive data analytics platform, makes it easier to get value from
data without special training. By allowing users of the same team to see the whole picture,
real-time collaboration is possible. Teams can adjust the data and visualize the results and
then collaborate on how to proceed.
AI and VR were used by the logistics company Kuehne+Nagel to make sense of the data
collected from its massive supply chain. These technologies helped accelerate the
understanding of what processes relate to each other.
Virtualitics is another innovator in the data visualization space that has an AI-driven
visualization VR tool that helps companies get actionable insights quicker than with
traditional data analytics tools. Multiple users can manipulate 3D data sets at the same
time with its tool.
DataViewVR provides a virtual workspace dubbed the “Workplace of the Future” to power
immersive data presentations. These help analysts develop insights from the data faster
and share with others virtually.
3Data is a 3D platform developed for enterprise IT and cybersecurity operations. The
ability to “step into” the command and control of complex networks allows better and
faster decisions.

7. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Examples of Immersive Data Analytics
At this point, there seem to be many more positives to using AR and VR in data
visualization than negatives. Certainly, the adoption of these tools can be slowed by
naysayers in an organization who don’t quite understand the capabilities of the
technology since its still early in its development. I certainly expect this to be a growing
industry with additional specialization for specific use cases.

8. Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2020 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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