Introducing Meta Quest for Business: XR for the Enterprise
Meta Quest for Business, unveiled at the Connect conference in 2023, represents a new era for extended reality in the enterprise. Until the release of the Meta Quest Pro, Meta’s focus on the XR landscape has often skewed towards the consumer market.
The tech giant has certainly seen some success in this era, producing some of the most affordable and popular devices for gaming and entertainment. However, as the “metaverse” continues to evolve and the adoption of enterprise XR devices increases, Meta is keen to expand its offering.
Meta Quest for Business, the company’s dedicated enterprise-focused solution, gives companies access to a custom subscription service for XR transformation. This offering could be the key to helping the tech giant preserve its market share, as innovators like Apple, Microsoft, and Magic Leap all increase their focus in the business world.
Here’s everything you need to know about Meta Quest for Business.
What is Meta Quest for Business?
Meta Quest for Business is a subscription service offering extensive technical support and enterprise-level features to companies adopting XR tools. According to Meta, it will help organizations scale the power of Meta Quest across their company.
The primary focus of the solution is to give businesses comprehensive user, device, and custom app management controls. With Meta Quest for Business, organizations can manage team accounts and devices just like they manage other assets in their tech stack, such as phone numbers, software subscriptions, and desk phones.
Meta believes the solution will help companies more effectively align teams in the metaverse while ensuring they can preserve compliance and security standards. The offering could be crucial in an environment where companies are keen to leverage the benefits of extended reality but concerned about the impact shared virtual spaces will have on their data management efforts.
Studies show that around 68% of organizations are ready to plunge their company into the metaverse soon, but few feel they have the right security strategies.
Is Meta Quest for Business the Same as Oculus for Business?
Though the Meta Quest for Business subscription is new to Meta’s solution portfolio, it’s not the first time the company has focused on the enterprise landscape.
Back in 2017, Meta introduced “Oculus for Business”. The bundle included Oculus hardware, touch controllers, sensors, and facial interfaces intended for business use. In 2019, this bundle was upgraded to include new devices, extended hardware warranties, cloud software, security and privacy protocols, and collaboration via Meta Workplace.
After the major rebrand from Facebook to Meta, the company announced it was retiring Oculus for Business in favor of “Quest for Business.” Once again, this update introduced new functionality to the business bundle, such as work accounts and mobile device management.
Meta also introduced a comprehensive “Device Manager” to give companies complete control over Quest devices and third-party MDM hooks. The latest version of “Meta Quest for Business” builds on the solution introduced in 2021, evolving based on feedback from Meta customers.
The Features of Meta Quest for Business
While former iterations of Meta’s “Business-focused” bundles focused primarily on hardware, the latest Meta Quest for Business is more software-centric. The subscription service comes packed with essential features intended to enhance the manageability and functionality of Meta devices.
Primarily, the solution breaks down into three core areas:
1. User Management
With Meta Quest for Business, leaders can manage user access to Quest headsets through a unified admin center. Users can also manage and provision accounts using automation and integrate tools with solutions from major identity providers.
The solution also comes with a “Shared Mode,” which allows devices to be shared securely by multiple people. Admins can decide which apps users can access, and each team member can access dedicated settings using a simple PIN.
2. Device Management
The Meta Quest device manager gives business leaders comprehensive control of all Quest headsets with a built-in MDM solution. You can integrate third-party MDM solutions such as Ivanti, Microsoft Intune, and VMWare Workspace One.
The admin center allows users to bulk provision devices, set profiles, and review device statuses in real time. Plus, you can configure certificate-based Wi-Fi support, reset PINs, and remotely wipe devices of data.
3. App Management
For companies leveraging the ever-evolving library of apps on the Quest store, Meta Quest for Business enables control over the applications team members can use. Admins can manage and deploy private apps to Quest headsets through an APK link or dedicated business channel.
Admins also have the option to control which applications users see and which they can download from the Quest App Store in the device configuration settings. Meta Quest for Business will be compatible with various enterprise apps, including Microsoft 365 productivity tools.
Specialist XR Support from the Meta Team
Alongside all the software businesses need to manage their XR ecosystem, Meta Quest for Business also includes access to priority support for enterprises. Two “support options” are available, depending on the subscription businesses choose.
Standard support, offered with every subscription, ensures you can easily access guidance and submit ticket requests through your Quest admin center. Support “Plus,” on the other hand, offers access to 24/7 technical assistance and customer service from the Meta team.
The “Plus” upgrade reduces the average response time of Meeta’s support staff from 24 hours to 5 hours and enables access to live chat.
The Hardware Options with Meta Quest for Business
Although the Business subscription is mostly software-focused, Meta offers options for hardware too. Meta Quest for Business is compatible with Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, and Meta Quest 2. You can also “bulk order” headsets through the sales team to deck out multiple staff members at once.
Meta also says employees who already own a compatible Meta Quest device can add that product to the “Business” subscription program. However, they must sign into their device using an account you create in the Business admin center.
The tech giant also offers the option to upgrade to a “warranty Plus” service, which includes protection against accidental damage and manufacturing defects for two years.
Meta Quest for Business: Availability and Pricing
Meta started rolling out the updated version of its Business subscription in October 2023. In 2024, the previous “Oculus for Business” offering will disappear entirely, giving companies plenty of time to transition to the new service.
Currently, the solution is available to organizations located in specific supported countries. You can find a complete list of the locations supported on Meta’s website here. Companies also have the freedom to purchase a subscription before or after buying a headset and add new headsets to their subscription as their business scales.
However, it’s worth noting Meta work accounts are also necessary for all employees who want to access additional features, such as single sign-on and device management.
Though you’ll need to contact the sales team for a quote for your specific solution, pricing for the standard subscription starts at $15 per user per device. The “Shared mode” feature mentioned above is an extra $9 per user per device.
The Future of Meta in Business Environments
Meta’s XR solutions might be better known in the consumer landscape, but they’re also gaining popularity in the enterprise landscape. This is particularly true now that the new Meta Quest 3 headset promises business users more intuitive mixed reality experiences.
While Meta has demonstrated its commitment to supporting enterprise customers in the past with software like Horizon Worlds and dedicated headsets like the Quest Pro, the evolving Business subscription service could give the tech giant a crucial edge.
Offering companies a comprehensive way to manage users, devices, and services in the business landscape will hopefully pave the way for broader adoption of XR solutions in the enterprise. If Meta wants to make the “metaverse” accessible to everyone, including modern workers, this could be a crucial step in the right direction.
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