News I published 07 October 2021
More installers interested in AR and VR service support from manufacturers
At the same time, due to an ageing population, the market is losing experience through retiring installers and is often not gaining enough young installers to fill their shoes, leading to a qualitative and quantitative labour shortage. This presents a clear dilemma: a high and growing demand, and a limited supply of installers, leading to installers’ schedules being overloaded as well as rising labour costs.
In an earlier article about the results of the Q2 2021 report of USP Marketing Consultancy’s European Mechanical Installation Monitor, we saw that services from manufacturers and wholesalers that help installers deal with their busy schedule and complex installations, essentially services that save time and hassle, are in high demand. As it turns out, there is also a rising interest in services that may provide an answer to the above dilemma in the future, service support through virtual or augmented reality (VR or AR) applications.
Interest in AR and VR service support has grown, but not in all countries
The above image shows how interest in AR and VR support from manufacturers has grown significantly among installers in the UK, France, Poland, and Belgium. In Germany and the Netherlands, however, interest in AR and VR support has declined over the past two years. That decline is interesting given the fact that in our last measurement of the impact of labour shortage in Q4 2019, quantitative and qualitative labour shortages were especially affecting installation companies in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Disruptive technology to combat labour shortages
To train a new or less experienced installer to the level that he or she can independently do installations takes time and an experienced installer looking over their shoulder on-site, both of which are in short supply. AR and VR applications can help in several ways. In a more advanced and integrated way, AR applications can even allow one experienced installer to look over the shoulder of several trainees from an off-site location and show, explain and troubleshoot while each of the trainees performs installations on site.
In a simpler form, manufacturers can help installers by providing AR installation support for their products. This can give installers instant access to virtual schematics placed over the physical system, via an app on a smartphone or tablet, allowing less experienced installers to do more complicated installations independently.
Smart services from manufacturers
The above shows that new technologies can indeed help solve labour shortages. It also shows that the benefits of new technologies like AR and VR support are not necessarily seen by all installers, even in countries where labour shortages are a more pressing matter. The same goes for other technologies, like smart products that allow installers to monitor and troubleshoot systems at a distance.
Manufacturers can play a major role here, or several roles actually. They can develop technologies like AR support or smart products to help installers interested in such support. Simultaneously, and perhaps more importantly, manufacturers can contribute by education the market and communication the benefits of such solutions to the more traditional plumbers and HVAC installers.
Installers’ demand for such services and technologies from manufacturers differs from country to country. For a detailed overview of the demand for services in six European countries, we refer you to the Q2 2021 report of USP Marketing Consultancy’s European Mechanical Installation Monitor
Read more
16 October 2024 I Henri Busker
The Building Blocks of Prefab: Key Materials
11 October 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Rethinking European Construction: Prefab Trends
24 September 2024 I Jeroen de Gruijl
Blockchain, AI, AR and IoT – Architects’ Outlook
24 September 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Future Developments in Construction Still Far Away
Fresh Insights Await
Our relevant reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our insightful reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.
Construction
Home Improvement
Installation
Special reports
Construction
Decision making process Q3 2024
2024 87 pages
Unveil the decision-making processes in the construction industry through the lens of European architects. Discover the factors that influence crucial decisions and the interplay among different stakeholders.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Prefab H1 2024
2024 63 pages
Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Sustainability 2024
2024 72 pages
Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.
10,815 Euro
Construction
Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024
2024 62 pages
This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,
8,400 Euro
Construction
Future of construction Q2 2024
2024 82 pages
Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Trends in material usage Q1 2024
2024 102 pages
Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Home Improvement
European Garden Monitor
2023 43 pages
Explore the European Garden Monitor, a comprehensive platform dedicated to garden health monitoring in Europe. Access valuable resources and expert advice today.
12,000 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2024
2024 90 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 81 pages
Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021
2024 113 pages
This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY or DIFM Q4 2023
2024 70
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Branding Q3 2023
2023 93 pages
This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Branding Q3 2024
2024 74 pages
Discover the power of branding in the home improvement sector. Explore how strong branding influences consumer preferences and purchase decisions.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Prefab Q3 2024
2024 119 pages
This report offers a comprehensive view of the installers’ involvement and needs regarding prefabricated electrical installations.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024
2024 120 pages
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart and connected products Q2 2024
2024 129
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
BIM Q1 2024
2024 84 pages
The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.
2,650 Euro
Installation
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 99 pages
The European Electrical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the sustainable solutions in the installation industry. This report specifically focuses on sustainability aspects in the industry.
3,150 Euro
Special reports
European Sustainability Report 2024
2024 51 pages
This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.
3,950 Euro