![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/installation.jpg)
![usp](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/themes/usp/public/img/bg/bg-4.png)
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![](https://www.usp-mc.nl//images/eim-vr.png)
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
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/themes/usp/public/img/bg/house.png)
Read more about the subject
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pexels-pixabay-301703-300x200.jpg)
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pexels-pixabay-301703-300x200.jpg)
18 July 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Willingness to invest of European consumers in sustainability improvements of their houses lower in 2024 than in 2023
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4-700x350-1-300x200.jpg)
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4-700x350-1-300x200.jpg)
02 July 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
BIM adoption among European HVAC installers remains low
![European Electrical Installation Monitor: Market Research Report](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-kindel-media-9875418-300x200.jpg)
![European Electrical Installation Monitor: Market Research Report](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-kindel-media-9875418-300x200.jpg)
06 June 2024 I Maja Markovic
Sustainability in the electrical installation sector; slow but steady growth
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/scott-blake-x-ghf9LjrVg-unsplash-300x200.jpg)
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/scott-blake-x-ghf9LjrVg-unsplash-300x200.jpg)
06 June 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Trends in construction material usage
![](https://www.usp-research.com/wp-content/themes/usp/public/img/bg/house.png)
Fresh Insights Await
Our latest reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our latest 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
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
Construction
Media orientation H2 2021
2024 161 pages
Explore the media engagement patterns of contractors to optimize your marketing strategies. Dive into a pool of insights that unveils how contractors interact with different media channels.
6,300 Euro
Construction
European Green Deal Q4 2021
2024 88 pages
Explore the impact and reception of the European Green Deal among architects. Understand how the initiative is influencing architectural practices and sustainability measures.
1,850 Euro
Construction
BIM Q4 2023
2024 246 pages
Key insights regarding the BIM usage and behaviour of European architects, and our latest future building volumes prognoses
1,850 Euro
Construction
Purchase Channels H2 2023
2024 123
Explore the buying and ordering behaviour among contractors in H1 2023. Uncover the key channels used, share-of-wallet and much more.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Behavioural segmentation and media usage report 2023
2023 75 pages
This report provides a comprehensive overview of purchase behaviour, products, and media usage, specifically focusing on European handymen. It delves into how handymen use media, and for what purposes, and examines their habits and preferences in terms of purchasing behaviour.
8,400 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
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2023
2023 114 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 Euros
Home Improvement
Purchase Channels Q2 2022
2022 124 pages
Uncover the prevalent purchase channels in the home improvement sector during Q2 2022. Delve into consumer preferences and the factors influencing their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Do-it-yourself or do-it-for-me Q4 2022
2022 93 pages
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2022. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
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
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
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
Installation
Challenges toward sustainable future Q4 2021
2024 111 pages
2,650 Euro
Installation
Purchase channels Q4 2021
2024 106 pages
Delve into the training needs within the electrical installation sector. Understand the areas requiring skill development to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
3,150 Euro