HP, a global technology leader, took to the virtual stage at the Immerse Global Summit’s online Metaverse 2.0 event on Tuesday to introduce its ExtendXR solution for managing augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR/VR/MR) headsets.
ExtendXR is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that streamlines enterprise-grade extended reality (XR) deployment and management platforms.
New product from HP! Don’t miss the HP session on Wed March 9th https://t.co/AtSYhUcGq7 where HP will discuss the current state and challenges facing VR business deployments. HP’s new ExtendXR addresses the urgent market need for end-to-end XR deployment and management #vr #HP pic.twitter.com/zpzlBl3Nq8
— VRARA – METAVERSE 2.0 on March 9-10 (@thevrara) March 8, 2022
Additionally, the tool enables businesses to remotely maintain small or large scale XR-ready workforces, allows senior execs to access performance metrics, and adds support for other immersive hardware, software, and user-created content.
Powering Enterprise XR Adoption
At the event, Scott Rawlings, Sr Product Manager XR Software for HP and Joanna Popper, HP’s Head of Commercial XR Go-To Market, hosted a keynote on the ExtendXR solution.
Although HP initially revealed ExtendXR at the Mobile World Conference (MWC 2022) earlier this year, HP representatives outlined its current and upcoming management and security tools for the platform at the Summit keynote.
As part of the session, Rawlings outlined the benefits of ExtendXR, noting:
- Streamlined XR device setup allows individuals to enrol a headset by connecting it via a USB. Consequently, this enables businesses to manage XR devices independently or as part of a group, as well as on other devices such as smartphones, tablets, and PCs.
- Support for enterprise-wide content sharing from medium to large scale workplaces.
- Provides cloud storage for various 2D or 3D assets and content.
- Supports a custom user interface where businesses can design their ExtendXR hub to best suit a firm or workforce.
Furthermore, HP designed ExtendXR to address new security concerns from emerging immersive solutions, including “best-in-class” privacy and security features, such as:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance
- Remote maintenance for functions such as factory resetting
- Developer mode access and streamlined operating system (OS) and firmware updates
- Audit logs and performance metrics
At the event, Rawlings revealed that HP will update ExtendXR this year to improve network security with user authentication and single sign-in convenience.
Powerful Strategic Partners
The news comes after HP debuted ExtendXR at the start of the month, and to help develop the SaaS solution, revealed its partnership with ArborXR.
This strategic collaboration enables HP to license ArborXRs powerful device management tools for the ExtendXR solution and scale its SaaS solution to support large scale workforces.
Brad Scoggins, ArborXR’s Chief Executive, said in a statement,
“By working together, ArborXR and HP trailblaze the enterprise AR/VR industry and make it easy for companies to scale XR deployments”
Also, HP designed ExtendXR as a hardware-agnostic solution so businesses can use the SaaS platform to manage various XR headsets such as the Meta Quest, Pico Neo 2, and HTC VIVE Focus 3.
“We are excited to support @HP‘s ExtendXR software solution with our All-in-One headset, #HTCVIVE Focus 3. Together, we aim to help organizations achieve an easy way to scale #VR deployments in a secure and efficient way.” -Daniel O’Brien, General Manager, HTC Americas#MWC22 pic.twitter.com/zktpOPBk8s
— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) February 28, 2022
The Palo Alto-based firm works closely with Qualcomm to optimize ExtendXR for XR devices powered by its popular Snapdragon chipset lineup, including Meta and Pico Interactive headsets.
ExtendXR launched on March 1 under Standard and Premium Plans, and HP has confirmed the platform can support as little as five headsets or a workforce of up to 500 headsets.
The Immerse Global Summit’s Metaverse 2.0 event hosts various global XR industry figures and firms such as Lenovo, HP, Meta Platforms, AMD, ROOOM, among others, and is taking place online from 9-10 March.