Issue 4 2021

26 Acquisition International - Issue 4 2021 Feb21485 Is This Just Fantasy? The world of technology has been revolutionized in the last few years by the rise of VR, AR and 3D simulators. Allowing people access to virtual plains where concepts can be thoroughly visualized and explored, these developments can be seen having an effect on every industry. We take a look at PaleBlue, a Norway firm which has positioned itself as a leader in the field, to find out more about the impact this will have. nnovation lies at the heart of any technological company, but the team at PaleBlue have fought their way to the front of an industry that has been in constant flux. With new techniques changing the way in which simulation technology is perceived by the world at large, the team have been able to act as a guiding force for many. PaleBlue draws on a long heritage within the 3D and VR sector, with many key members of staff first working on solutions in the mid- 1990s. While the technology has changed, the vision of developing advanced simulation and visualization solutions with industrial application has not changed at all. Using an advanced proprietary 2D and 3D simulator technology, PaleBlue specialists have been able to include 2D touch panels for control surface simulation, 3D graphics for industrial simulation, and Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive interfaces. The firm’s commitment to best-in-class performance can be seen in their work on software, simulators and VR/AR solutions, as well as in their capacity to facilitate digitalization, and contribute to a high degree of autonomy in operations. This incredible breath of ability is a credit to the resources that the PaleBlue team has been able to cultivate over the last few years. Tellingly, organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency have not only seen the potential in simulator technology, but have recognized the ability that PaleBlue has to deliver truly exceptional results, establishing important simulation projects. The team have spent years building knowledge assets for specific industry verticals like HSE and Operations, Oil & Gas, Subsea, Construction & Lifting, Healthcare, Biotechnology, and many more, which keeps them in high demand. The last few years have seen a transformation in VR technology, mainly because it has become much more affordable to a greater variety of companies. This has increased the workload that PaleBlue has been able to take on, with contracts coming from a broad range of different organizations. The team offer training simulators for individual training as well as multi-user solutions for collaborative team training. Having the options available not only makes training I much easier to coordinate for a business, but includes the ability to perform soft-skill training for a wide variety of work routines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the workload of companies like PaleBlue has increased significantly, as companies explore ways of getting work done that doesn’t follow traditional means. While the technology may seem new to many corporate structures, it is already well established and ideally suited to the needs of the moment. The benefit of restrictions in travelling, physical training and meetings has been the opening up of time and resources for VR technology. Those who have taken up the ideas involved have been able to change the way in which they work forever. Meetings and training can now be done in ways that are far more efficient. Needless to say, those companies that have invested in VR technology at the outset of the pandemic have seen an enormous ROI. They have been able to save money on travel and expenses as well as creating situations where it is possible to work better on an individual and collaborative level. The benefits of VR technology are not easily seen from the outset because businesses don’t understand what they are getting. Once acquired, however, an immensely versatile and flexible way of working opens up that captures the ease of working individually. As the team has achieved such success in 2020, it’s easy to see them looking to new and bigger horizons during 2021. The aim is to develop ways of scaling their current solutions in order to make them available to an even broader audience. This broader audience will consist of professional organizations looking for something new and impressive to move them forward as opposed to the general consumer. The aim is not to provide the public with new technology, but businesses with an easy to see improvement to their job routines. Building up an industry around such a burgeoning technology is not an easy feat, and the management at PaleBlue have had to carefully pick their staff to ensure that they are as committed to the sector as they are. With some of the VR Industry’s best and experienced brains as key persons in the company, it’s easy to see how PaleBlue has been able to stay true to its original vision. People who have a passion for VR technology see it in the team and want to take part. When combined with a desire to see maximum client satisfaction, it’s easy to explain the dedicated and enthusiastic attitude that every employee has in their work. As the market gets more and more crowded, standing out will be critical to continuing along the path of success. To differentiate themselves from the crowd, the team at PaleBlue have designed real- life physics into their training scenarios. The growth and development The team have spent years building knowledge assets for specific industry verticals like HSE and Operations, Oil & Gas, Subsea, Construction & Lifting, Healthcare, Biotechnology, and many more, which keeps them in high demand.