TeamViewer, the vendor of the Tensor remote connectivity platform, has acquired another augmented reality (AR) software pioneer — US-based Upskill — for an undisclosed sum.
According to the official investor announcement, the German remote connectivity and support specialist expects to build out its AR offering across multiple verticals. Upskill has already sold its smartglasses-enabled AR solutions for digital workflows into the likes of Boeing, Merck and the American Bureau of Shipping.
Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, said the market for enterprise AR is forecast to grow rapidly.
“Our joint AR teams now represent the world’s most experienced workforce in deploying wearable computing technology to the shop floor,” he said.
“The company is focusing on complementary use cases and industries such as aerospace, pharma and life sciences, insurance and claims management, and retail.”
TeamViewer began investing in the AR space in 2020 in a buyout of Ubimax, which has sold wearable logistics solutions to the likes of DHL, Siemens and the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) in Thessaloniki, Greece, is one of the largest bottlers for Cola-Cola — producing about two billion unit cases a year for the soft-drink brand.
When the manufacturer sought to optimise logistics and customer service, it selected TeamViewer’s Frontline xPick,an assisted reality smartglasses-based solution for hands-free picking and packing.
Brian Ballard, CEO of Upskill, said TeamViewer offered strong sales and marketing capabilities and integration with the AR and IoT solutions — which are marketed under the TeamViewer Tensor remote-connectivity and support umbrella.
“Our existing customers will benefit from an accelerated product development roadmap, global reach, and additional solutions and features within the TeamViewer portfolio,” he said.
TeamViewer plans to retain 10-year-old Upskill’s two US offices and build on Upskill partnerships within the US tech ecosystem.
( Photo by Quang Tri NGUYEN on Unsplash )
