Tag: visual

Best Teaching Resources for Irish Primary Schools in 2026

Finding the best teaching resources for Irish primary schools means balancing curriculum alignment, practical classroom application, and genuine engagement. Irish teachers need materials that work with the Primary School Curriculum’s spiral approach, support differentiated learning across mixed-ability classrooms, and save precious preparation time. This guide examines the most effective teaching resources available to Irish educators, from digital platforms to traditional materials, with a focus on what actually works in Irish classrooms.

The Irish education system serves over 570,000 primary students across diverse settings—from large urban schools in Dublin and Cork to small rural schools in Donegal and Kerry. Each setting demands teaching resources that adapt to different class sizes, technological infrastructure, and community contexts. Ireland’s digital education transformation has accelerated demand for high-quality digital materials, yet teachers consistently report that finding curriculum-appropriate resources remains their biggest challenge.

What Makes Teaching Resources Effective for Irish Classrooms

Effective teaching resources for Irish primary schools share several characteristics that distinguish them from generic international materials. The Irish curriculum emphasises integration across subject areas, child-led inquiry, and development through play in early years—requiring resources designed with these principles in mind.

Resources must align with the Primary School Curriculum framework and its staged approach to learning. Materials that work for Year 3 students in England may not suit Third Class pupils in Ireland, where curriculum expectations and terminology differ. Irish teachers need resources that use familiar language: “sums” rather than “math problems,” references to euro rather than pounds, and examples drawn from Irish life and culture.

The best teaching resources also account for the Irish school calendar, with its specific term dates, mid-term breaks, and preparation periods for standardised tests. Resources that align with these rhythms help teachers plan more effectively and reduce last-minute scrambling for appropriate materials.

Digital Teaching Resource Platforms

Digital platforms offer Irish teachers immediate access to thousands of curriculum-aligned materials. The best platforms combine comprehensive coverage with practical organisation, making it easy to find exactly what you need for tomorrow’s lesson.

LearningMole stands out as a leading teaching resource platform for primary educators. The platform offers over 3,300 free educational resources alongside premium video content covering maths, English, science, geography, history, and special educational needs. For Irish teachers, the curriculum-aligned approach means materials transfer readily to Irish classroom contexts, with video content particularly effective for visual learners and mixed-ability groups.

“Quality teaching resources should reduce teacher workload while improving student outcomes,” notes Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole and former teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience. “Teachers shouldn’t spend hours adapting materials—resources should work straight away in real classrooms.”

Scoilnet, operated by the Department of Education, provides Irish-specific resources created by and for Irish teachers. The platform excels for Irish language materials and resources specifically mapped to the Irish curriculum. While coverage varies by subject area, Scoilnet remains an essential first stop for Irish educators seeking locally-relevant content.

Twinkl offers extensive differentiated resources with Irish curriculum-specific materials. The platform’s strength lies in its printable worksheets and display materials, with resources available at multiple ability levels. Irish teachers appreciate the growing collection of materials using Irish terminology and contexts.

Video-Based Learning Resources

Video resources have become increasingly central to Irish primary education. Visual content supports diverse learning styles, provides consistent explanations for difficult concepts, and allows teachers to focus on facilitation rather than direct instruction for certain topics.

Educational video platforms work particularly well for Irish schools because they address a persistent challenge: ensuring consistent quality instruction across all subjects, even when teachers are working outside their specialisation. A teacher confident in literacy instruction but less certain about teaching fractions can use high-quality video explanations to supplement their direct teaching.

The most effective video resources share certain qualities: clear explanations pitched at the right level, engaging presentation that maintains attention, and content structured to support rather than replace teacher instruction. Videos work best when integrated into lessons rather than used as standalone entertainment.

For Irish schools with limited broadband—still a reality in some rural areas—downloadable video content offers flexibility. Teachers can prepare materials at home or during planning time, ensuring lessons proceed smoothly regardless of connectivity issues on the day.

Maths Teaching Resources for Irish Primary Schools

Maths resources form the backbone of most teachers’ resource collections. Irish primary maths teaching follows a concrete-pictorial-abstract progression, meaning effective resources support hands-on manipulation before moving to visual representations and finally abstract notation.

The best maths teaching resources for Irish classrooms include manipulative-based activities that translate well across ability levels. Base-ten blocks, fraction tiles, and number lines remain classroom staples, but digital equivalents allow whole-class demonstration and individual practice without physical resource limitations.

Place value resources deserve particular attention in Irish primary maths teaching. Students frequently struggle with the transition from two-digit to three-digit numbers, and later with decimal place value. Resources that explicitly address these transition points, with plenty of practice opportunities, support smoother progression through the maths curriculum.

Problem-solving resources have gained prominence as the Irish curriculum emphasises mathematical reasoning alongside computational fluency. Word problems set in Irish contexts—involving euro amounts, Irish place names, and familiar scenarios—help students connect mathematical thinking to real-world applications.

Times tables resources remain perpetually popular, with Irish teachers seeking materials that balance memorisation with understanding. The most effective approaches combine regular practice with pattern recognition, helping students develop both recall speed and mathematical insight.

English and Literacy Teaching Resources

English teaching resources for Irish primary schools must balance the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The best resources integrate these strands rather than treating them in isolation.

Phonics resources aligned with systematic synthetic phonics approaches support early reading instruction. Irish teachers increasingly adopt structured phonics programmes, requiring resources that progress logically through phoneme-grapheme correspondences. Materials should include both decodable readers and engaging texts that reward growing reading skills.

Reading comprehension resources work best when they offer texts at multiple reading levels, allowing teachers to differentiate within mixed-ability classes. Irish teachers value resources that include both fiction and non-fiction texts, preparing students for the range of reading they’ll encounter in standardised assessments and daily life.

Writing resources that provide scaffolding without constraining creativity help students develop their voices while mastering technical skills. Graphic organisers, success criteria, and model texts support structured approaches to teaching different text types.

Spelling resources benefit from a combination of pattern-based instruction and regular practice. Irish English spelling follows British conventions, so teachers need resources that reflect these standards rather than American alternatives.

Science Teaching Resources

Science teaching resources for Irish primary schools support inquiry-based learning while ensuring curriculum coverage. The best resources combine hands-on investigation with clear explanations of underlying concepts.

Practical science resources—experiment guides, observation worksheets, and investigation planners—help teachers structure hands-on learning. Resources should specify commonly-available materials, avoiding experiments that require specialist equipment most Irish schools don’t possess.

Video demonstrations prove particularly valuable for science teaching, allowing students to observe processes that are too dangerous, too slow, or too expensive for classroom replication. Time-lapse videos of plant growth, animations of the water cycle, and demonstrations of chemical reactions extend what’s possible in primary science.

Living things resources connect well with the Irish primary science curriculum’s emphasis on environmental awareness. Materials that encourage outdoor learning and local habitat exploration resonate with Irish teachers’ commitment to connecting students with their natural environment.

History and Geography Resources

History and geography resources for Irish primary schools require careful attention to local context. Irish history teaching must address complex topics sensitively while building genuine historical understanding.

Irish history resources work best when they present multiple perspectives and encourage critical thinking about sources. Primary source materials—photographs, documents, and artefacts—help students engage directly with historical evidence rather than simply absorbing narratives.

Local history resources enable teachers to connect broader historical themes to students’ own communities. Materials that support local study projects, including guidance on conducting oral history interviews and interpreting local landmarks, extend learning beyond the classroom.

Geography resources for Irish schools should include materials about Ireland alongside global perspectives. Students benefit from understanding their own country’s physical and human geography before exploring worldwide patterns.

Map skills resources support progressive development from simple picture maps to Ordnance Survey Ireland maps. Irish teachers need resources that use OSI conventions and include practice with Irish grid references and place names.

Irish Language Teaching Resources

Irish language resources present unique challenges and opportunities. The best resources support both Gaeltacht schools, where Irish is the medium of instruction, and English-medium schools teaching Irish as a subject.

Oral language resources form the foundation of effective Irish teaching. Materials that emphasise speaking and listening before reading and writing align with how children naturally acquire language. Games, songs, and conversation activities build confidence and fluency.

Reading resources in Irish range from early readers using controlled vocabulary to authentic texts for more advanced learners. The best resources include audio support, helping students connect written Irish with correct pronunciation.

Grammar resources work most effectively when embedded in meaningful contexts rather than presented as isolated rules. Irish grammar differs significantly from English, and resources that explicitly address common difficulties help students build accurate language skills.

Special Educational Needs Resources

Teaching resources for students with special educational needs must offer flexibility and multiple access points. Irish primary schools include students with a wide range of learning needs, and effective resources support inclusive classroom practice.

Differentiated resources that offer the same content at multiple complexity levels allow teachers to include all students in shared learning experiences. The best SEN resources maintain high expectations while providing appropriate scaffolding.

Visual support resources—including visual timetables, social stories, and communication aids—help students with autism and communication difficulties access the curriculum. Irish teachers increasingly seek resources that integrate visual supports into mainstream materials.

Multi-sensory resources support students who learn best through combination of visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic input. Materials that offer multiple pathways to the same learning objectives benefit diverse learners.

Dyslexia-friendly resources use appropriate fonts, spacing, and colour combinations to support reading access. Irish teachers value resources that apply these principles consistently across subject areas.

Assessment and Planning Resources

Assessment resources help Irish teachers track student progress and plan appropriate next steps. The best assessment materials align with curriculum expectations while remaining manageable within busy classroom schedules.

Formative assessment resources—including questioning techniques, exit tickets, and self-assessment tools—support responsive teaching. Materials that help teachers gather evidence of learning during lessons enable timely intervention and adjustment.

Standardised test preparation resources help students approach assessments confidently. While teaching to the test is inappropriate, familiarising students with test formats and question types reduces anxiety and enables accurate demonstration of their knowledge.

Planning templates and schemes of work save teachers time while ensuring curriculum coverage. Irish teachers value planning resources that account for the specific structure of the Irish school year.

Choosing the Right Teaching Resources

Selecting teaching resources requires balancing multiple factors: curriculum alignment, practical usability, cost, and accessibility. Irish teachers benefit from systematic approaches to resource evaluation.

Trial periods and free samples allow teachers to assess resources before committing. Most digital platforms offer some free content, enabling teachers to evaluate quality and suitability before purchasing subscriptions.

Colleague recommendations provide valuable insight into how resources perform in real Irish classrooms. Staffroom conversations and online teacher communities share experiences with different platforms and materials.

Cost-effectiveness calculations should account for time savings alongside direct prices. Resources that reduce planning time or enable more effective teaching may justify higher costs through improved efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free teaching resources for Irish primary schools? Scoilnet offers extensive free resources specifically designed for the Irish curriculum. LearningMole provides over 3,300 free educational resources alongside premium content. Many publishers also offer free sample materials that supplement purchased resources.

How can I find teaching resources aligned with the Irish primary curriculum? Start with Irish-specific platforms like Scoilnet, which maps resources directly to curriculum objectives. When using international resources, check terminology matches Irish conventions and content aligns with Irish curriculum expectations for each class level.

What teaching resources work best for mixed-ability primary classrooms? Resources offering differentiated versions of the same content enable inclusive teaching. Digital platforms with multiple difficulty levels, and printable materials available at different reading ages, support mixed-ability classroom management.

Are video-based teaching resources effective for primary-aged children? Video resources prove highly effective when integrated thoughtfully into lessons. They work best for introducing new concepts, demonstrating processes, and providing consistent explanations. Video should supplement rather than replace direct teacher instruction and hands-on learning.

How do I evaluate whether teaching resources are worth the cost? Consider time savings alongside direct educational value. Calculate how many hours of planning time resources save, and assess whether they enable teaching approaches that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Free trials help determine practical value before purchasing.

What resources help with teaching Irish as a subject in English-medium schools? Oral language resources emphasising speaking and listening build foundation skills. Audio-supported reading materials help students connect written Irish with pronunciation. Games and songs increase engagement and support natural language acquisition.

Making the Most of Teaching Resources

The best teaching resources for Irish primary schools combine curriculum alignment, practical usability, and genuine educational value. Digital platforms offer unprecedented access to quality materials, while traditional resources retain their place for hands-on learning.

Success with teaching resources depends not just on the materials themselves but on how teachers integrate them into coherent learning experiences. Resources work best when selected purposefully, adapted thoughtfully, and combined to create engaging sequences of lessons that move students toward clear learning objectives.

Irish primary teachers face significant demands on their time and energy. Quality teaching resources reduce the burden of material preparation, enabling teachers to focus on what matters most: understanding their students, responding to learning needs, and creating classroom environments where children thrive.

VR Headsets May Make Dry Eye Less Likely

Virtual reality (VR) use is often linked to reduced blinking, raising concerns about dry eye. This study examined the ocular surface during a 30-minute VR gaming session using a compact imaging system to observe the tear film in real time. Over the session, the tear film’s lipid-layer interference grade increased, indicating thickening of the lipid layer. Under these experimental conditions, this change may be associated with a lower likelihood of dry eye during VR use.

Virtual reality (VR) gaming has gained significant attention in recent years, with an increasing number of users integrating VR and immersive headsets into their daily lives. These devices provide highly immersive visuals, creating a strong sense of presence and disconnection from the real world even playing games like 2up.io crypto casino, However, concerns have been raised about the effects of prolonged VR use—especially at short viewing distances—on eye health and its potential link to dry eye disease, an ocular condition characterized by tear film instability.

The tear film is a dynamic, multilayered system composed of lipid and aqueous layers that work together to protect and lubricate the eye. Excessive exposure to visual display systems can disrupt this balance, causing tear film instability, leading to discomfort in the eye. While previous studies have examined tear film stability before and after VR headset use, real-time changes in tear film behavior during VR headset use have remained unexplored.

To address this issue, Associate Professor Yoshiro Okazaki from Waseda University, Japan, and Visiting Professor Dr. Norihiko Yokoi from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan, designed a novel method using VR headsets with an ultra-compact camera for real-time observation of tear film dynamics. Their article, published in Volume 15 of Scientific Reports on September 26, 2025, offers the first real-time data on how tear film dynamics change over the duration of a VR session. “In a digital world where many people worry about eye comfort, we were motivated by the lack of real-time data on what happens to the tear film during VR use,” says Okazaki.

The researchers designed a VR headset with an integrated ultra-compact camera system that allowed noninvasive observation of the tear film during a VR session. 14 healthy participants played a VR game for 30 minutes while the built-in camera monitored changes in their tear film lipid layer interference pattern at baseline and every five minutes during brief pauses.

As the gameplay progressed, researchers noted a significant increase in the interference grade of the tear film lipid layer, consistent with its thickening. Additionally, the corneal and upper eyelid temperatures increased significantly after the VR session. These findings suggest that the periocular warming inside the headset may have led to the thickening of the tear film lipid layer. A previous study has demonstrated that an increase in lipid-layer thickness, induced by elevated temperature, is associated with enhanced tear film stability. Therefore, it is essential that the present study elucidates whether similar stabilization of the tear film occurs under the experimental conditions employed.

According to Okazaki, “While not intended as a health claim, our findings provide insights into how the thermal environment inside VR headsets may influence tear film behavior.” He further notes, “This is useful not just for the users but also for the headset designers who are involved in developing future VR systems.”

However, the study’s observations were limited to healthy participants, leaving open questions about whether similar results would be seen in individuals with dry eye disease or meibomian gland dysfunction. The study also did not include a non-headset control group. Okazaki notes that they plan to expand the research to include clinical populations and appropriate controls.

For now, these findings provide valuable early insights for both VR users and developers. While the study does not address treatment or preventive strategies, the results may inform future headset design and usage considerations related to eye comfort and health.

How Top Agencies Use Visual Annotation to Cut Delivery Times by 40%

Feedback can make or break a project timeline. It’s often not the creative work that slows things down—it’s the endless cycle of revisions, miscommunications, and the frustrating hunt for clarity. Agencies trying to deliver high-quality websites or digital experiences often find themselves bogged down not by the work itself, but by how feedback is managed.

And that’s where visual annotation tools are changing the game.

What Slows Agencies Down? It’s Not Just the Workload

A lot of agencies have tight internal systems. They use project management tools, they run stand-ups, they track deadlines with discipline. But when it comes to collecting and actioning client feedback, even the most organized teams hit a wall.

Think of it this way: your client sends an email that says, “Can you fix the spacing on that thing under the testimonial?” Suddenly, a developer is opening three different browsers, resizing their screen, and still isn’t sure what that thing actually is. Multiply that by a dozen pieces of vague feedback and now your team is spending more time decoding than developing.

Why Visual Feedback Changes Everything

Visual annotation tools let clients drop comments directly onto a live site, wireframe, or image—pinpointing exactly what they mean. It’s like placing a digital sticky note on a specific button, section, or layout element. But it’s not just about convenience. These tools typically capture screenshots, browser data, screen resolution, and even the device used—all automatically.

So, instead of asking “Which version of Chrome are you using?” or “What did it look like on your end?”, your team has everything they need from the get-go.

Less guessing. Less back-and-forth. Way faster fixes.

How Agencies Are Actually Using These Tools

For a growing number of web and creative agencies, visual annotation tools aren’t just nice-to-have—they’re core to their workflow.

During the QA phase, project managers use them to review builds internally before involving clients. Designers gather precise change requests during the approval process. Developers get all the context they need to resolve bugs quickly. And clients? They finally feel like their feedback is being heard and acted on—without having to send long-winded emails.

Many agencies also loop stakeholders in without forcing them to create an account or learn a new system. A simple shared link is often all it takes to bring someone into the review process. It’s feedback made easy—for everyone involved.

From Two Weeks of Back-and-Forth to Two Days of Clarity

One agency we spoke to used to spend about 10–14 days just gathering and clarifying feedback for a mid-sized web project. After adopting a visual annotation system, they saw that drop to less than three days.

They didn’t rush the creative. They just cut out the lag time between misaligned feedback, miscommunication, and confusion. Multiply that time savings across several projects and it’s easy to see how 40% faster delivery isn’t just possible—it’s practical.

Yes, There Are Tools. But Not All Are Equal

If you’ve searched for markup alternatives, you’ve probably come across a few popular platforms offering visual collaboration features. Some are geared toward developers, some toward designers, and some offer feedback on a range of media—from PDFs to video.

But here’s what top agencies really look for:

  • A way to drop comments in context—on the actual site or design
  • Automatic capture of screenshots and technical specs
  • A smooth way to turn comments into tasks
  • No need for client logins or complicated onboarding
  • Integration with tools they already use, like Trello, Asana, or Jira

The best visual annotation tools don’t just help you collect feedback—they plug into your process like they were always meant to be there.

Why It’s Not Just About Speed

Faster delivery is a big win, no question. But agencies are also seeing softer benefits. Clients feel more involved and confident throughout the build. Team members feel less frustrated chasing down unclear comments. And projects, overall, just feel smoother.

That kind of workflow creates happier clients and happier teams. And, let’s be honest—when your team isn’t spending hours rewriting feedback as tasks or jumping between email threads, they have more creative energy to put into what really matters.

Cutting Through the Noise

Agencies aren’t strangers to project chaos. But the smartest ones are finding ways to cut through the noise—to align their teams, clients, and tools in a way that brings clarity and flow.

Visual annotation is more than a helpful add-on. For many, it’s become the cornerstone of a modern feedback process. It brings everyone onto the same page—literally—and gives teams the confidence to move fast without sacrificing quality.

Because when feedback stops being a bottleneck, delivery becomes a whole lot easier.

 

How New AI Advances Are Revolutionizing and Simplifying Marketing

Marketing has always been an evolving field, but in recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has brought an entirely new level of transformation. Once dominated by intuition, manual strategy, and countless hours of work, marketing is now powered by AI technologies that increase capabilities and simplify operations for businesses of all sizes.

Today’s AI advancements aren’t just about doing more — they’re about doing better. Smarter content creation, predictive analytics, hyper-personalized customer journeys, and intelligent engagement strategies are enabling marketers to connect with audiences faster, more meaningfully, and with greater efficiency.

Let’s dive into how the latest AI technologies are reshaping marketing, making it more strategic, personalized, and accessible than ever before.

Smarter Content Generation Through Generative AI

One of the most impactful changes AI has introduced is the rapid development of generative AI — systems that can create human-like content in seconds.

Instead of spending hours drafting blog posts, social media captions, product descriptions, or marketing emails, marketers can now rely on AI to produce high-quality first drafts almost instantly. Even more impressively, modern AI content tools can learn a brand’s tone, style, and customer persona, ensuring that the content they generate feels authentic and aligned with brand messaging.

This shift allows businesses — even small teams and solo entrepreneurs — to maintain a consistent, high-output content strategy without overwhelming internal resources.

AI-Powered Visual Design and Editing

Advances in AI-driven visual design tools have made it possible to create professional-grade images, graphics, and video assets without needing formal graphic design skills.

Today’s platforms can:

Act as a tone of voice generator to help build the brand voice and branding guidelines

Recommend layouts based on branding guidelines

Automatically adjust visuals for different social media formats

Generate graphics from simple text prompts

Adapt designs to seasonal trends and emerging aesthetics

These tools empower marketers to produce visually compelling campaigns faster and more affordably, leveling the playing field between large enterprises and smaller businesses.

Predictive Analytics for Proactive Marketing

Where marketers once relied solely on historical data to guide decisions, AI-driven predictive analytics now enables proactive strategies.

Modern analytics tools can forecast:

  • Which leads are most likely to convert
  • Which content topics will generate the most engagement
  • When customers are most at risk of churning
  • How to allocate budget across different channels for maximum ROI

With AI’s predictive capabilities, marketers can plan campaigns based on forward-looking insights, optimizing both performance and resource allocation with greater precision.

Hyper-Personalization at Scale

Today’s consumers expect brands to deliver personalized experiences. AI technology now makes it possible to create hyper-targeted campaigns based on real-time behavioral and emotional data — and to do it at scale.

AI-driven personalization engines can:

  • Customize website content dynamically for individual visitors
  • Tailor email sequences based on user behavior and preferences
  • Adjust advertising messages in real time to align with customer interests

Rather than relying on traditional broad audience segments, marketers can now engage each customer as an individual, boosting engagement, loyalty, and conversions — all while saving time through automation.

AI-Enhanced Conversational Marketing

Another major advancement is the rise of AI-driven chatbots and conversational systems that can engage customers 24/7.

These intelligent bots can:

  • Qualify and nurture leads automatically
  • Provide personalized product recommendations
  • Answer common customer questions
  • Schedule appointments or sales consultations

Importantly, new natural language processing (NLP) models enable bots to hold genuine, human-like conversations, making automated engagement feel less mechanical and more relationship-driven.

This allows marketing teams to stay connected with their audience, deliver value instantly, and move leads through the funnel — without needing constant manual effort.

Automated Social Listening and Emotional Insights

AI’s ability to monitor public conversations has revolutionized how brands approach social listening and sentiment analysis.

Rather than manually tracking brand mentions, marketers can now use AI to:

  • Monitor real-time conversations across social media, forums, and blogs
  • Detect emotional shifts in public perception
  • Identify emerging trends and customer pain points
  • Predict potential PR risks before they escalate

These insights allow brands to remain responsive and empathetic, adapting their messaging and strategies based on real-time audience emotions.

Smarter Marketing Automation

Marketing automation has existed for years, but AI takes it to the next level by making automation adaptive and intelligent.

Modern platforms can:

  • Send emails at the optimal time for each recipient
  • Adjust marketing sequences based on how users interact with content
  • Dynamically segment audiences without manual input
  • Optimize campaign performance on the fly

This new breed of automation minimizes guesswork, allowing marketers to create dynamic, evolving campaigns that automatically improve over time — freeing up creative teams to focus on strategy and innovation.

A New Era of Smarter, Simpler Marketing

The latest advances in AI aren’t just tools — they represent a fundamental shift in how marketing is done. AI is removing traditional barriers like time, cost, and capacity, allowing businesses of any size to market with the sophistication of global enterprises.

With AI, marketers can create more personalized campaigns, make smarter decisions faster, engage audiences on a deeper level, and optimize strategies continuously — all while simplifying their day-to-day workflows.

The future of marketing isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter. Brands that embrace AI’s new capabilities will not only stay ahead of the competition but will also build stronger, more genuine connections with their customers.

As AI technology continues to advance, those who adapt early will lead the way into a new era of strategic, simplified, and deeply impactful marketing.

Rain Technology Embeds Visual Security and Delivers Display Innovation From Enterprise to Healthcare

CEO Robert Ramsey, Ph.D. and Chief Scientist Michael Robinson, Ph.D. of Rain Technology, creator of the world’s most advanced directional display technologies, today shared expert commentary and select video explainers about:

  • The market outlook for emerging display technologies.
  • The big leap in visual privacy to combat shoulder surfers.
  • Key advances and early adoption across enterprise and personal computing, smartphones, automotive, hospitality, healthcare, banking and retail.
  • Opportunities to capitalize on display innovations today.

The Market Outlook for Emerging Display Technologies

Whether for business or personal use, displays of all types are central to our everyday experience. However, the amount and type of information displayed, the types of devices themselves, the hardware technologies used to provide higher quality and more efficient images, and the situations in which these devices are used all continue to expand at an incredible rate. As such, significant market opportunity exists for companies developing innovative solutions.

Experts in optics and photonics with a legacy in 3D cinema, Rain Technology scientists are radically changing the playing field for visual privacy and superior optical performance in emerging display technologies, which will transform the market by enabling the type of experiences that drive mass adoption through quality and comfort.

One of Rain Technology’s innovations that has been broadly adopted is Switchable Privacy™, a thin liquid crystal layer in the display that switches privacy on and off, preventing peripheral viewers from seeing sensitive content. See the details of how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/y05VX8Pundg. This has applicability across fraud prevention, securing confidential information, and ensuring personal privacy.

It has already shipped millions of units through industry-leading partners. In addition, the company’s innovations in privacy have been successfully leveraged and deployed in the automotive sector. Specifically, No-Driver-Distraction™ helps create safer driving experiences by preventing driver distraction caused by light emitted from passenger screens, and Display Screen Branding™ provides off-axis brand promotion by manufacturers and retailers.

Rain Technology will subsequently be adapted to further define the future of AR and VR in gaming, business, medical, and military defense. Its patented approach, Anamorphic-XR™, which relies on common, easy to manufacture materials, delivers fundamentally superior capabilities to existing AR and VR optics to improve user experience, performance and comfort. It has the potential to significantly increase consumer adoption as well as time spent engaged with devices, opening new opportunities for consumer, enterprise, military and industrial uses.

A Big Leap in Visual Privacy for Every Device

Identity theft and data breaches are on the rise, compounded by mobile work, whether remote or simply in transit. Shoulder surfers, visual hackers, and snoopers are omnipresent. Although the market for adhesive-based privacy screens for smartphones, laptops and monitors is valued at over a billion dollars and set to double in five years, it is a stopgap, lacking the ability to be controlled by enterprise IT and security policy and compromising device performance and usability.

Consumers will begin to see device and display manufacturers as well as enterprise IT departments and application developers placing a higher priority on integrating software solutions with new embedded display technologies to deliver increased privacy and control at the source. This newfound level of security will put mobile privacy in everyone’s pocket and across laptops, point of sale, automotive, tablets, and other devices.

Rain Technology is powering this change. Its patented Switchable Privacy controls the viewing angle to protect enterprises and individuals from visual hacking, data fraud, and identity theft. Switchable Privacy is applicable across the displays for smartphones, laptops, POS and ATM terminals, automotive dashboards and in-cabin displays, and medical kiosks. See more about Switchable Privacy here: https://youtu.be/4IzHUionehY.

Key Advances in AR and VR Performance to Spur Mass Adoption

AR and VR devices have been hyped for decades but have yet to realize their potential. To achieve mass adoption, the device hardware must significantly improve in weight, power efficiency, brightness, image quality, and eye comfort. Rain Technology’s Anamorphic-XR represents a crucial advancement in the evolution of AR and VR features, functionality and performance.

Rising consumer interest and commercial long-term strategies from the major players in AR and VR will be complemented by substantial government investment in these innovations, particularly in headsets and navigation and targeting systems. This dual trajectory of technological enhancement, spurred by Anamorphic-XR, and strategic funding will propel the industry forward.

This will effectively pave the way for broader integration by the leading AR and VR manufacturers into various sectors, ultimately transforming how people interact with their digital and physical environments. As these improvements are integrated, a surge in user engagement can be expected in terms of session time and application diversity, from entertainment to surgery to day-to-day interaction with the environment.

Opportunities to Capitalize on Display Innovations Today

  • Smartphones – Rain Technology is working with smartphone manufacturers to integrate its embedded Switchable Privacy display technology, ensuring peak performance in optical clarity, color and luminance, while providing Privacy Mode for optimal protection and Share Mode for collaboration. Available now for smartphone brands, display manufacturers, and component suppliers from Rain Technology.
  • Laptops, Tablets and Monitors – Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables viewing in Share Mode and Privacy Mode as well as delivering best-in-class performance for image clarity, color and luminance. Available now to laptop brands and manufacturers from Rain Technology.
  • Retail POS – Customer and staff-operated POS terminal numbers are expanding rapidly, and customers are increasingly sensitive to their data being “visually hacked” or even their privacy compromised during cart review, transaction or tipping at point of sale. Optimizing POS devices for both retailers and consumers, Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables manufacturers to deliver a Privacy Mode for consumer transaction security as well as a Share Mode for brand promotion. Now available to retailers from POS manufacturer Datecs and direct from Rain Technology.
  • Bank ATMs – With more than 3 million ATMs around the world, shopping, dining and withdrawing cash puts consumers as well as merchants, retailers and bankers at risk. Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables ATM manufacturers to ensure financial service providers can mitigate the risk of data breaches, meet regulatory compliance, and foster consumer loyalty and trust. Available today to ATM manufacturers and supply chain providers direct from Rain Technology.
  • Medical Kiosks – Private patient information, governed by HIPAA regulations, is often displayed on screens across the medical environment, from check-in kiosks to registration desks to hospital nurses stations, pharmacies and more. Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables manufacturers of monitors and tablets to deliver a Privacy Mode for patient privacy and Share Mode for collaboration. Now available to manufacturers and display providers across the healthcare industry through Rain Technology.
  • Automotive Displays – Bridging the gap between passenger infotainment and safe driving while meeting evolving legislative safety standards, Rain Technology’s No-Driver-Distraction controls the viewing angle and luminous levels so the display screens within the cabin can only be viewed by the intended audience (driver or passenger). Rain Technology’s Display Screen Branding delivers a unique in-cabin design and branding opportunity for marketers. Available today to automotive suppliers, tier one integrators, and brands both directly from Rain Technology and via display manufacturer Tianma.
  • AR and VR – The future of AR and VR relies at least partly on hardware device advances. Rain Technology is the first to introduce a patented optical design approach — Anamorphic-XR — that holds significant advantages over existing systems in the areas of image quality, color, field of view, brightness (up to 10x improvement), weight, and comfort. Currently available as a proof-of-concept demonstrator, Rain Technology is actively engaging with partners to integrate this technology into future device and wearable offerings.

To learn more, please visit www.raintechnology.com.

Rain Technology Embeds Visual Security and Delivers Display Innovation From Smartphone to AR/VR

CES 2025, CEO Robert Ramsey, Ph.D. and Chief Scientist Michael Robinson, Ph.D. of Rain Technology, creator of the world’s most advanced directional display technologies, has shared expert commentary and select video explainers about:

  • The market outlook for emerging display technologies.
  • The big leap in visual privacy to combat shoulder surfers.
  • Key advances in AR and VR optical design to spur mass adoption.
  • Opportunities to capitalize on display innovations today.

The Market Outlook for Emerging Display Technologies

Whether for business or personal use, displays of all types are central to our everyday experience. However, the amount and type of information displayed, the types of devices themselves, the hardware technologies used to provide higher quality and more efficient images, and the situations in which these devices are used all continue to expand at an incredible rate. As such, significant market opportunity exists for companies developing innovative solutions. Experts in optics and photonics with a legacy in 3D cinema, Rain Technology scientists are radically changing the playing field for visual privacy and superior optical performance in emerging display technologies, which will transform the market by enabling the type of experiences that drive mass adoption through quality and comfort.

One of Rain Technology’s innovations that has been broadly adopted is Switchable Privacy™, a thin liquid crystal layer in the display that switches privacy on and off, preventing peripheral viewers from seeing sensitive content. See the details of how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/y05VX8Pundg. This has applicability across fraud prevention, securing confidential information, and ensuring personal privacy. It has already shipped millions of units through industry-leading partners. In addition, the company’s innovations in privacy have been successfully leveraged and deployed in the automotive sector. Specifically, No-Driver-Distraction™ helps create safer driving experiences by preventing driver distraction caused by light emitted from passenger screens, and Display Screen Branding™ provides off-axis brand promotion by manufacturers and retailers.

Rain Technology will subsequently be adapted to further define the future of AR and VR in gaming, business, medical, and military defense. Its patented approach, Anamorphic-XR™, which relies on common, easy to manufacture materials, delivers fundamentally superior capabilities to existing AR and VR optics to improve user experience, performance and comfort. It has the potential to significantly increase consumer adoption as well as time spent engaged with devices, opening new opportunities for consumer, enterprise, military and industrial uses.

A Big Leap in Visual Privacy for Every Device

Identity theft and data breaches are on the rise, compounded by mobile work, whether remote or simply in transit. Shoulder surfers, visual hackers, and snoopers are omnipresent. Although the market for adhesive-based privacy screens for smartphones, laptops and monitors is valued at over a billion dollars and set to double in five years, it is a stopgap, lacking the ability to be controlled by enterprise IT and security policy and compromising device performance and usability.

Consumers will begin to see device and display manufacturers as well as enterprise IT departments and application developers placing a higher priority on integrating software solutions with new embedded display technologies to deliver increased privacy and control at the source. This newfound level of security will put mobile privacy in everyone’s pocket and across laptops, point of sale, automotive, tablets, and other devices.

Rain Technology is powering this change. Its patented Switchable Privacy controls the viewing angle to protect enterprises and individuals from visual hacking, data fraud, and identity theft. Switchable Privacy is applicable across the displays for smartphones, laptops, POS and ATM terminals, automotive dashboards and in-cabin displays, and medical kiosks. See more about Switchable Privacy here: https://youtu.be/4IzHUionehY.

Key Advances in AR and VR Performance to Spur Mass Adoption

AR and VR devices have been hyped for decades but have yet to realize their potential. To achieve mass adoption, the device hardware must significantly improve in weight, power efficiency, brightness, image quality, and eye comfort. Rain Technology’s Anamorphic-XR represents a crucial advancement in the evolution of AR and VR features, functionality and performance.

Rising consumer interest and commercial long-term strategies from the major players in AR and VR will be complemented by substantial government investment in these innovations, particularly in headsets and navigation and targeting systems. This dual trajectory of technological enhancement, spurred by Anamorphic-XR, and strategic funding will propel the industry forward. This will effectively pave the way for broader integration by the leading AR and VR manufacturers into various sectors, ultimately transforming how people interact with their digital and physical environments. As these improvements are integrated, a surge in user engagement can be expected in terms of session time and application diversity, from entertainment to surgery to day-to-day interaction with the environment.

Opportunities to Capitalize on Display Innovations Today

  • Smartphones – Rain Technology is working with smartphone manufacturers to integrate its embedded Switchable Privacy display technology, ensuring peak performance in optical clarity, color and luminance, while providing Privacy Mode for optimal protection and Share Mode for collaboration. Available now for smartphone brands, display manufacturers, and component suppliers from Rain Technology.
  • Laptops, Tablets and Monitors – Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables viewing in Share Mode and Privacy Mode as well as delivering best-in-class performance for image clarity, color and luminance. Available now to laptop brands and manufacturers from Rain Technology.
  • Retail POS – Customer and staff-operated POS terminal numbers are expanding rapidly, and customers are increasingly sensitive to their data being “visually hacked” or even their privacy compromised during cart review, transaction or tipping at point of sale. Optimizing POS devices for both retailers and consumers, Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables manufacturers to deliver a Privacy Mode for consumer transaction security as well as a Share Mode for brand promotion. Now available to retailers from POS manufacturer Datecs and direct from Rain Technology.
  • Bank ATMs – With more than 3 million ATMs around the world, shopping, dining and withdrawing cash puts consumers as well as merchants, retailers and bankers at risk. Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables ATM manufacturers to ensure financial service providers can mitigate the risk of data breaches, meet regulatory compliance, and foster consumer loyalty and trust. Available today to ATM manufacturers and supply chain providers direct from Rain Technology.
  • Medical Kiosks – Private patient information, governed by HIPAA regulations, is often displayed on screens across the medical environment, from check-in kiosks to registration desks to hospital nurses stations, pharmacies and more. Rain Technology’s Switchable Privacy enables manufacturers of monitors and tablets to deliver a Privacy Mode for patient privacy and Share Mode for collaboration. Now available to manufacturers and display providers across the healthcare industry through Rain Technology.
  • Automotive Displays – Bridging the gap between passenger infotainment and safe driving while meeting evolving legislative safety standards, Rain Technology’s No-Driver-Distraction controls the viewing angle and luminous levels so the display screens within the cabin can only be viewed by the intended audience (driver or passenger). Rain Technology’s Display Screen Branding delivers a unique in-cabin design and branding opportunity for marketers. Available today to automotive suppliers, tier one integrators, and brands both directly from Rain Technology and via display manufacturer Tianma.
  • AR and VR – The future of AR and VR relies at least partly on hardware device advances. Rain Technology is the first to introduce a patented optical design approach — Anamorphic-XR — that holds significant advantages over existing systems in the areas of image quality, color, field of view, brightness (up to 10x improvement), weight, and comfort. Currently available as a proof-of-concept demonstrator, Rain Technology is actively engaging with partners to integrate this technology into future device and wearable offerings.

To learn more, visit www.raintechnology.com.

CES 2025 news

Best 7 Visual CPQ Tools for E-Commerce Sites in the UK

Nowadays, visual CPQ plays an important role in the eCommerce field. It has become a key element of the quotation and selling process,  allowing businesses to offer customized products and instant price quotes, making the shopping experience smoother and more convenient for customers.   

It’s crucial to provide buyers with accurate quotes during the sales cycle. 3D visualization technology has transformed the quoting process completely. With 3D modeling, businesses can provide better customer experience, close deals faster and, most importantly, increase their sales. That’s why so many business owners choose to integrate visual CPQ tools into their e-commerce sites.

Unlike traditional CPQ software with ticking options, visual CPQ introduces an interactive 3D configuration experience. The software creates virtual reality, where consumers can see images of a product and analyze its features carefully. 3D visualization has a positive impact on a client’s purchase decision.        

Visual CPQ software has gained popularity in the United Kingdom. UK-based businesses often choose to use Shopify, Shopwire, Woocommerce, and custom-built platforms to sell their products online. In this blog, we’ll review the 7 best visual CPQ tools for e-commerce sites in the UK, highlighting their features and benefits to help you choose the right solution for your business.

So, let’s get started.         

  1. VividWorks

VividWorks offers a fantastic visual CPQ tool that allows online buyers to configure, visualize and study their products before making a purchase. The software provides a unique and interactive shopping experience. 

 

With this rule-based visual CPQ, consumers can configure 3D products in real time. The tool provides a 3D visual presentation of a product corresponding to the consumer’s needs.

Using 3D visualization technology, consumers can assemble a product by selecting its colors, finishes, and features. Most importantly, buyers get a quote for a product. The software provides dynamic pricing and automatically generates accurate product quotes based on client selections. The sales configurator improves customer experience and allows consumers to make well-informed decisions.

VividWorks is a very powerful and feature-rich visual CPQ software. It’s an all-in-one tool that can handle complex modular configurations and provides huge variations. It can configure even the most complex products easily and quickly.   

The software can be successfully integrated with e-commerce systems such as Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopwired, and major ERP and CRM software. 

The software is built with retailers and manufacturers in mind. The sales configurator can be used for furniture, building supplies, lighting solutions, construction, etc.  The brand is trusted by 200+ global including top global brands like Sankyo Frontier,     

2. CPQing Solutions

CPQing Solutions has visual CPQ software that impresses with its visualization possibilities and flexibility. This sales configurator makes the sales process simple and helps businesses increase sales on their e-commerce sites. 

The software comes with a 3D visualization product configurator. This tool allows consumers to modify and view the desired product online. It is easy to use and doesn’t require any programming knowledge or skills.

The visual CPQ software can help sellers a lot with the process of making quotes. The software works based on 3D visualization and allows sellers to provide consumers with correct quotes quickly.   

The product configurator can be integrated into an e-commerce platform easily. The implementation process is simple and doesn’t take too much time.        

3. DriveWorks

Visual CPQ software developed by DriveWorks is widely used by manufacturing companies that specialize in configurable products. The software makes it possible for manufacturers to respond to customer inquiries quicker  and speeds up the sale process.   

The main benefit of the software is that it provides guided selling. It’s more than just a product configurator.  The tool provides online shoppers with 2D images and interactive 3D modeling. With this software, businesses will have everything they need to solve customer challenges during the sales cycle and represent their products in the best possible way.   

The software comes with the so-called dynamic pricing feature. So, consumers can configure products on e-commerce sites and get pricing updates in real time. With this tool, consumers don’t need to consult with a seller to get a quote for their product. The software creates sales documents and generates quotes automatically.

4. Kbmax

Kbmax is another good option for those looking for visual CPQ tools. The software allows UK businesses to represent their products, increase sales, and grow successfully. The tool minimizes customer support. If a product configurator is integrated into an e-commerce site, consumers don’t need a sales team to make a purchase.  

The product configurator comes with many great features such as 2D visualization, 3D visualization, AR visualization, etc. The tool gives buyers an opportunity to interact with a product and get different product previews. 

Consumers can change products by selecting different characteristics. It’s possible to change colors, materials and dimensions for a product. As a result, the tool provides customers with finished products that meet their needs and preferences.

5. Zoovu 

Zoovu is one of the suggested visual CPQ solutions for B2B e-commerce sites. The software delivers multiple significant benefits to buyers and sellers. 

Buyers can use the guided configuration to customize products for their needs and preferences in real-time. 3D modeling solutions allow consumers to make purchasing decisions and pick the right products.

The sales configurator allows B2B companies to reduce the cost of sales and grow their businesses successfully.  

Sellers can use a sales configurator to improve shopping experience and provide their customers with fast and accurate quotes. The software automatically generates quotes for configured products.  

With 3D configuration, consumers find it easy to buy products online. They can make the necessary changes to the product and preview their configurations in real-time. The quote for a product is generated instantly. As a result, the sales cycle is shortened and simplified.

6. Threekit

Threekit visual CPQ software offers an advanced visual selling tool that perfectly combines the augmentation reality, 2D and 3D visualization technology. The product configurator allows businesses to transform the sales process and provide clients with a self-service buying experience on their e-commerce sites. 

With this type of software, consumers can customize products on ecommerce sites easily and quickly. The tool creates personalized buying experience and provides consumers with visuals, documentation, pricing and quotes. So, online shoppers have everything they need to make a decision and purchase the right product.      

7. Expivi

Expivi visual CPQ software is built to help businesses simplify the sales and quoting process. This 3D configuration tool offers product visualization and automates the quoting process to help online buyers make the right purchasing decision.     

Implementing this tool into an ecommerce site makes it possible for online buyers to configure complex products via 3D visualization technology and get accurate quotes for configured products.  

The software comes with the pricing tools that take into account various factors such as costs, discounts and other important product and pricing information. After analyzing these factors, the sales configurator generates professional quotes.       

Conclusion

Picking visual CPQ software for an ecommerce site is not always easy. A lot of tools are available, so picking the best one can be challenging. We have described the best 7 visual CPQ tools for ecommerce sites in the UK. Each piece of software is different and has a unique set of features. Take your time to study the visual product configurator and its key features carefully to make the right choice.

Visual Product Configurator: Transforming Customer Experience and Business Strategy

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, customer preferences are shifting toward highly personalized products and services. Today’s consumers demand more than just a catalog of predefined options—they want to have a hand in crafting the products they buy. Enter the visual product configurator, a game-changing tool for both customers and businesses. By utilizing advanced software, these configurators allow users to view and customize products in real-time using 2D, 3D, and augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies.

This tool empowers both sales teams and end-users to visualize their products with life-like accuracy, making the process of customization more interactive and engaging. Whether it’s choosing the color of a car or personalizing a piece of furniture, a visual product configurator enables customers to tailor their products to their specific preferences. Let’s explore the various types of product visualization and see how businesses can leverage configurators to enhance customer satisfaction and drive growth.

Different Types of Product Visualization

  1. 2D Visualization: Simple Yet Effective

Though 2D visualization may seem basic in comparison to 3D or AR, its simplicity is exactly what makes it effective in many use cases. For certain industries and customer groups, particularly those that do not require complex customization options, 2D visual configurators offer an intuitive interface.

Non-technical users, such as sales representatives or customers looking for quick solutions, often appreciate the straightforwardness of a 2D model. It cuts down on confusion and makes the customization process faster. Instead of getting bogged down in manipulating complex 3D objects, users can easily select options and proceed with confidence. In scenarios where closing a sale quickly is crucial, a 2D configurator can be the ideal tool to streamline the purchasing process.

  1. 3D Visualization: Enhancing Interaction

As customization options grow more sophisticated, 3D product configurators offer a more detailed, dynamic experience. These systems allow users to view a product from multiple angles, zoom in on specific features, and interact with elements in real-time. More advanced configurators even provide the option to simulate real-world usage.

For example, a customer customizing a car might open doors, examine the interior, or add accessories like roof racks and custom wheels. In more industrial applications, users can manipulate parts of a machine, seeing how different components fit together. This level of interaction allows customers to feel more connected to their purchases and confident in their choices.

  1. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Immersive Experiences

The cutting edge of product customization lies in AR and VR technologies. These tools create fully immersive experiences, allowing customers to interact with products in a way that goes beyond the screen.

With virtual reality (VR), users can step into a simulated environment where they can explore a product from every angle as though they are physically present. Imagine being able to sit inside a car, turn on the dashboard, and “drive” through a virtual landscape before making a purchase decision. This capability isn’t just an eye-catching novelty—it offers real value by helping customers fully understand the products they are customizing.

Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, integrates digital elements into the physical world. Customers can point their smartphone camera at their living room, for instance, and see how a piece of furniture would look in real time. This blend of digital and physical realms creates a seamless shopping experience that builds buyer confidence and reduces uncertainty.

Business Benefits of Visual Product Configurator

  1. Elevating the Customization Experience

One of the core benefits of visual configurators is that they simplify the customization process, making it not only more efficient but also more enjoyable for customers. In traditional shopping experiences, customers may have to scroll through endless product catalogs, comparing features and trying to envision what their final product will look like. This process can be time-consuming and frustrating, often leading to lost sales.

Visual product configurators solve this by allowing customers to create their own product variations based on a set of options. This could include selecting colors, materials, styles, or additional features. The ability to see these changes in real-time keeps customers engaged and more likely to complete their purchase. The joy of customization becomes an integral part of the shopping experience, which leads to higher customer satisfaction.

  1. Building Brand Loyalty

Customization goes beyond mere functionality—it fosters emotional connections between the customer and the brand. When users have the power to create something unique, they feel a deeper attachment to the product and the company behind it. This sense of ownership drives loyalty, encouraging customers to return for future purchases and to recommend the brand to others.

Furthermore, when businesses offer personalized solutions, they stand out in the customer’s mind. Personalization sets a brand apart from competitors, helping it become the preferred choice for repeat purchases. As customers create products tailored to their tastes, they are more likely to associate positive emotions with that brand, leading to long-term customer retention.

  1. Reducing Return Rates

Returns are a costly problem for many businesses, especially in e-commerce. Visual product configurators help mitigate this issue by offering customers a clear and accurate preview of the product they are creating. When customers can see exactly what they’re getting—down to specific details like color, size, or texture—they are less likely to be disappointed with the final product.

Moreover, configurators often allow customers to make real-time edits to their designs before completing a purchase. This ability to refine their selections further reduces the risk of returns and refunds. In this way, businesses can cut down on the costs associated with returned merchandise and instead focus on delivering products that meet customer expectations from the start.

  1. Boosting Customer Satisfaction and Word-of-Mouth Marketing

When customers feel involved in the product creation process, their satisfaction levels rise significantly. The customization journey becomes an enjoyable and rewarding experience that turns customers into brand advocates. Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend your products to friends and family, either through word-of-mouth or social media.

This organic promotion is invaluable to businesses, as it expands brand visibility and brings in new customers. Happy customers who are proud of their personalized purchases will often showcase these items online, further enhancing your brand’s reputation.

  1. Opportunities for Custom Pricing

Product configurators offer the added benefit of enabling businesses to implement flexible pricing strategies. When customers customize their products, they understand that unique items often come at a premium. This opens the door for businesses to charge more for personalized products, driving profitability.

For example, certain customization options—such as choosing premium materials, adding additional features, or selecting complex patterns—can carry upcharges. By clearly communicating the cost associated with these choices, businesses can increase revenue while giving customers the satisfaction of designing a unique product that fits their preferences.

  1. Standing Out in a Crowded Market

The competitive landscape of e-commerce requires brands to differentiate themselves in unique ways. Offering product customization through a visual configurator is an excellent way to set your business apart from competitors. In a market saturated with cookie-cutter products, the ability to create something one-of-a-kind is a major selling point.

When customers know they can customize their purchase to fit their exact needs, they are more likely to choose your brand over others. Visual configurators offer a personalized shopping experience that gives your business a competitive edge, ensuring you stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

  1. Increasing Online Engagement

Research shows that customers who use product configurators tend to spend more time on a brand’s website, leading to increased engagement and higher conversion rates. The interactive nature of a visual configurator encourages users to explore different options, fostering a sense of curiosity and excitement.

This extended engagement translates into better brand awareness and a higher likelihood of making a purchase. The longer customers spend on your site, the more invested they become in your brand, creating opportunities for upselling, cross-selling, and repeat business.

Conclusion

Visual product configurators are a powerful tool for businesses looking to deliver personalized shopping experiences that engage customers and drive sales. By offering 2D, 3D, AR, and VR visualization options, businesses can meet the needs of a diverse customer base while standing out in a competitive market. As customization becomes increasingly important to consumers, investing in a robust visual configurator can lead to higher customer satisfaction, lower return rates, and stronger brand loyalty. This technology not only enhances the buying experience but also helps businesses increase profitability and grow in today’s digital marketplace.

 

Lucid launches advanced security features for visual collaboration platform

Lucid Software, the leader in visual collaboration software, today announced the launch of Enterprise Shield, an enhanced layer of fortified security and granular control that organizations can add to Lucid’s already highly secure platform.

“Our customers are building incredible things, with many working in highly regulated industries with very sensitive material that requires their intellectual property to be protected at the highest level,” said David Torgerson, VP of Infrastructure and IT at Lucid Software. “Safeguarding customer data is one of our biggest priorities, and we maintain high standards in securing Lucid’s systems, processes and controls. With Enterprise Shield, users can collaborate confidently, knowing their sensitive information and data remains protected through enhanced security and compliance controls.”

Enterprise Shield is available as an add-on to customers using the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite, Lucidchart and Lucidspark, and its FedRAMP® Authorized solution, Lucid GovSuite. With Enterprise Shield, users can seamlessly streamline the process of safeguarding sensitive data and elevate compliance controls with advanced admin capabilities designed to:

  • Protect sensitive data through intelligent classification and controls — Lucid continuously scans documents to identify sensitive data, like personally identifiable information (PII), enabling customers to manage their data in accordance with regulatory and internal guidelines. Robust classification controls allow admins to enforce restrictions that prevent unauthorized access to data and mishandling of sensitive information by blocking documents from being shared outside an organization via email or links.
  • Control content access to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data — Organizations can distribute security based on user needs by setting sharing permission levels by organizational groups. Unauthorized access can be limited using an IP allowlist, which specifies which IP addresses can access the account, and an idle session timeout feature that ensures inactive sessions are automatically logged out. Users can also maintain control over their encryption keys with Lucid’s key management service (KMS), adding an extra layer of security.
  • Enhance compliance through visibility and data governance — Lucid supports compliance and governance requirements by enabling admins to set document retention policies for how their organization retains and disposes of data. In the event of legal actions or audits, organizations can effectively manage and preserve documentation by quickly identifying and placing holds on specific users to prevent accidental or intentional modification, deletion or tampering of their documents.

The launch of Enterprise Shield reinforces Lucid’s commitment to delivering a secure collaboration platform that meets the stringent demands of today’s digital landscape. Lucid upholds the highest standards of data protection and security demonstrated through its many initiatives such as its global data residency program, alignment with GDPR and PCI requirements and FedRAMP authorization. Additionally, Lucid complies with the EU-US and Swiss-US Data Privacy Frameworks, holds ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications, and has successfully completed rigorous SOC 2 Type II audits. More information on Lucid’s commitment to security can be found here.

To learn more about Lucid’s Enterprise Shield offering, visit lucid.co/enterprise-shield.