In partnership with Taiwan’s HTC and immersive software developer Modum Lab, Gazpromneft-Lubricants, operator of the Gazprom Neft lubricants business, is launching a pilot project to develop digital education programmes offering a fully immersive virtual experience. The programme is expected to train around 12,000 specialists at partnering companies and Gazpromneft-Lubricants product distributors in its first year of operation, with the company investing more than RUB20 million in the project.
This joint project will involve the development and introduction of 3D education programmes, allowing full immersion in the learning environment, and maximum engagement in the educational process. Accurate digital models of the company’s production facilities will be developed to ensure fully effective distance learning and the development of competencies and skills among employees of partnering companies and distributors. Using virtual reality (VR) technologies, employees will be able to work out operational algorithms in standard circumstances and situations, such as in serving client at G-Energy Service stations or in providing consultation services and technical support.
The programme will be delivered through Gazpromneft-Lubricants’ own education centre, the G-Energy Academy, which provides training for the company’s own-brand-lubricants sales specialists.
Alexander Trukhan, CEO, Gazpromneft-Lubricants, commented:
“Our business success depends on the synergies involved in producing high-quality goods and providing cutting-edge service programmes for customers and consumers. Having established high-quality production facilities, we can now set about systematically improving the skills and competencies offered through our distribution network — to which end, we are developing educational initiatives. It is very important to us that our partners — anywhere in the world — have access to the G-Energy Academy knowledge base. Virtual reality means we can significantly reduce training times and costs, while exponentially improving efficiency.”
Dmitry Morozov, co-founder, Modum Lab, commented:
“The greatest chance of long-term development and financial longevity lies with those companies striving to create and offer innovative, effective and globally competitive products. Companies like these need non-traditional solutions — such as immersive technologies — to help them model various stages in production processes and, on that basis, improve services for end-consumers, at the highest possible level. Business today depends on the latest technologies, not just in terms of immediate product development, but in improving other business processes, facilitating those economies in material resources and time that are essential for the timely development of new products and their launch on the market.”
Аndrey Kormiltsev, President, HTC Russia, CIS, Baltics and Israel, commented:
“HTC VIVE takes a highly active role in creating and developing VR ecosystems, offering the market VR technologies together with our rich and extensive experience in using these to optimise and modernise production and business processes. The HTC VIVE Pro virtual reality system was specially developed for the most demanding users and is designed to lead to a rethinking of how VR is used for commercial purposes. The standalone HTC VIVE Focus VR helmet, with embedded VR movement capability and six degrees of freedom (6DoF), offers flexibility and easy usage in major projects involving, for example, training staff or running demonstrations. We bring together venture capital investors and leading players in VR, as well as offering support to young innovative companies. Being involved in a collaborative project in digital learning is a major step forward in ensuring the long-term and sustainable growth of the VR industry.”
Gazpromneft Lubricants Ltd (“Gazpromneft Lubricants”) is a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, specialising in the production and sale of oils, lubricants and service fluids. Established in November 2007, Gazpromneft Lubricants has six production facilities throughout Russia, Italy and Serbia. Total production volumes stand at 600,000 tonnes of premium oils, lubricants and service fluids per year. The Omsk Lubricants Plant includes Russia’s most cutting-edge facility for the mixing, dispensing and packaging of motor oils, with a total annual capacity for blending and packaging of 300,000 tonnes per year. Management policies at Gazpromneft Lubricants and its production assets are fully compliant with international ISO standards, including ISO 9001, ISO / ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949 and OHSAS18001. The company supplies its products for production lines at Daimler KamAZ Rus, Rostelmash, KAMAZ, UAZ (Sollers), BelAZ, and others. The company’s clients and customers include leading industrial enterprises, with a product range including 600 branded oils and lubricants across all market sectors (more than 2,500 products in total). The company’s products have received more than 250 endorsements from major equipment manufacturers including KAMAZ, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault, General Motors, Cummins, MAN Russia, ZF, Bosch Rexroth, and others. The company is also involved in the production and sale of marine lubricants. The company currently commands a 16 - percent share of the Russian lubricants market, as well as operating in the markets of the CIS and the Baltic States, Europe, Central and South—East Asia, Africa, South America and elsewhere. The company’s products are sold in almost 72 countries worldwide.
HTC Corporation aims to bring brilliance to life. As a global innovator in smart mobile devices and technology, HTC has produced award-winning products and industry firsts since its inception in 1997. The HTC U and Desire smartphone ranges (families) have gained wide recognition among both users and industry specialists. The pursuit of brilliance is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring best-in-class design and game-changing mobile and virtual reality experiences for consumers around the world. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498).
Modum Lab develops immersive-technology analytical and educational business products for virtual- and augmented-reality (VR/AR) devices. The company’s end products include software platforms to support the development and management of computer simulations, as well as software solutions to support personnel training and assessment, and visual interpretations of virtual “Big Data” analysis. The company’s staff includes VR/AR UX (user-experience) design specialists, 3D artists and programmers, VR-interface designers, 360° video cameramen, educational methodologists, and business analysts. Research and development activities, domain analysis and post-launch empirical analysis are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure consistent improvements in product quality.
