SAP Hybrid Business Steering Showcase

The project sought to redefine data analytics, inviting users into a virtual reality world where SAP data became a tool for collaborative business process management within an immersive industrial metaverse.

what?

VR Immersive Analytics Showcase

why? (need)

In the era of data-driven decision-making, innovative approaches to data analytics are reshaping the business landscape. Immersive experiences are needed to simplify complex data interpretation, engage users more effectively, and enable better-informed decision-making.

when?

May 2023

how?

6 months work project

who? (client)

SAP NVT & SAP Innovation Center Network

and my role?

Note: Due to strict non-disclosure regulations, I am not allowed to share any information, drafts, or parts of the project that have not been officially released to the public. Therefore this case study does not focus on the design process, but rather on the produced outcomes.

Main Project challenges

01 lack of design Guidelines
Since VR is one of the newest design disciplines that is also highly technical, we faced difficulties in finding guidelines or design best practices. Therefore we had to run more usability tests, which slowed down the process.
02 large cross-functional teams
The Hybrid Business Demo required the help of 3 different development teams and 2 design ones with different sets of responsibilities, but we had to communicate clearly and often to ensure that everyone was aligned and on the same page.
03 Technical limitations
Unlike most Figma prototypes, to test and participate in a VR experience, we required VR headsets and powerful computers, which meant that we could only test from limited locations.

Key Learnings

01 user experience in vr
Thanks to this project we were able to develop our own best practise guidelines and had the chance to brainstorm different UX solutions in a new medium.
02 User interface in vr
As part of the design process I had to create the UI elements and think of the best ways to visualize and present information in a 3D world.
03 design <> Development communication
Through extensive close collaboration with development teams, I was able to strengthen my knowledge and better assessment of technical resources needed in implementing digital products.
04 vr technical requirements
Naturally after completing this project I have a much better understanding of both design & technical VR requirements as well how to work with them or around them.

The Virtual experience

01. Onboarding

In the technical onboarding segment of the experience, users are gently introduced to the VR environment and its interactive capabilities. This initial phase ensures that users, regardless of their familiarity with VR technology, can seamlessly immerse themselves in the upcoming business scenario.

02. Introduction to the HBS Demo

Initially, users assume the role of an Operational Decision-Maker visiting the SAP Discovery Center virtually. While exploring this Digital Twin Representation of the Center to learn about new SAP offerings, they receive a notification highlighting a potential issue: an anticipated increase in energy costs that could affect their company's operational expenses per product.

03. The Boardroom

In the virtual boardroom, the manager can convene colleagues to discuss the energy price impact on production. Data is sourced from S4 and SAC, including predictive features. Users can click on highlighted areas for a closer view and to take action to solve the problem.

04. The Business Decision Simulator

Next, the user engages another BTP capability, the Business Decision Simulator (BDS). BDS enables the user to make informed decisions in response to uncertainties like capacity utilization, energy prices, and raw material costs. The 3D Factory Digital Twin provides default uncertainty ranges, but the user has the flexibility to customize them for precision. As adjustments are made, the corresponding graph on the right updates in real-time, providing continuous insights that the user can monitor at all times.

The user can influence the process by making layout adjustments, such as moving machinery. This alteration directly impacts Factory Capacity utilization, allowing the user to visually and experientially observe the effects of their 3D environment changes.

BDS allows the user to explore 3 different scenarios - Conservative, Realistic & Optimistic.

After the strategy has been created and the Factory optimized, the user can return to the virtual boardroom where they can see how the KPIs have been positively affected by the changes made.