http://cerasis.com/2016/02/10/augmented-reality-supply-chain/

Augmented Reality Supply Chain is Here and It’s Going to be Effective

Supply Chain Technology // Adam Robinson // February 10, 2016 // 1 comment

The world is changing, and the supply chain will be dramatically impacted by the different technologies in the world. The Internet of things has radicalized how machines interact with people and one another. Sensor-driven technologies and advanced analytics hold promise in restoring the balance between workload and production. The supply chain stands on the cusp of innovation and augmented reality (AR) is becoming more applicable to today's supply chain needs. Yet, many fail to understand what AR is. Unlike the virtual reality images of science fiction, augmented reality is a very real factor in today's world, and it will continue to grow in 2016 and beyond. In fact, some huge "Futurists" like Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, as well as Brett King are currently writing books on the matter (Beyond Mobile: Life after Smartphones and Augmented - Life in the Smart Line respectively). So, now, let's take a look at some of the basic facts of AR and how it applies to the modern supply chain.

What Is Augmented Reality?

As defined in an industry report on AR by DHL, Augmented Reality refers to the layering of computer simulation models over the physical layout of current surroundings. In a sense, this is the hallmark of virtual reality, but AR refers to using this information to improve the efficiency of today's processes as they relate to the supply chain.

By 2017, augmented reality is estimated to have a value of just over $6 billion. Evidently, this trend is growing at one of the fastest paces in the market, 100 percent annually. And, one of the largest sectors we will see grow is in the "Industrial" sector, meaning application for both an augmented reality supply chain to include manufacturing, distribution, and logistics: