Solving real life problems using virtual solutions

Tuesday March 20, 2012

By Robyn Viljoen

I remember as a child watching futuristic movies about how one day we’ll shop online, we would speak to each other on wireless telephones and we’d have 3D televisions. Without giving away my age, and I don’t consider myself to be too old. That one day has arrived…at such a pace, everyday I marvel at our current reality and the speed of change.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to work with Dassault Systèmes. Until last month I had never heard of them, I now see application of their products on a daily basis. They have a wide range of 3D products that are utilised from serious gaming to detailed engineering design.

The one product that caught my eye was 3DVIA Store. This product will revolutionise a retailer’s life. It allows you to play around with virtual merchandising layouts that work withthe exact size of products, physical measurements of shelves, fridges, floors etc. This means retailers can play around with various merchandising layouts virtually before physically changing things in the store. Suppliers too can benefit by creating virtual displays, this minimises the disruption for shoppers and sending out clear merchandising instructions to retailers which helps with consistency.

Increasing pressure to be first to market, standing out amongst the competition and ultimately delivering the right product at the right price remains every retailers challenge. We still need to remember that although online shopping has revolutionised the buying experience, in store shopping is still in demand. With tools like 3DVIA we can solve real world problems with a virtual solution.

However, keep in mind that our customers operate in a real world, they ultimately make the choice to buy your product and to pay for them. So even when we have sophisticated tools like 3DVIA, never lose sight of the customer that is right in front of you, possibly even needing your help.