Forrester Research is bullish on business virtual worlds, predicting a time when 3D virtual environments will become essential workplace tools. Although the analysts note that it might take some time, and cultivation of appropriate resources, the lead set by early adopters like IBM and Intel means that other organizations will be looking at ways they can follow suit.

"Information and knowledge management professionals should begin to investigate and experiment with virtual worlds," says the report. "Use them to try to replicate the experience of working physically alongside others; allow people to work with and share digital 3-D models of physical or theoretical objects; and make remote training and counseling more realistic by incorporating nonverbal communication into same-time, different-place interactions."

CIO got hold of the complete report, and gleaned a few key reasons why business virtual worlds can be expected to advance: Travel is expensive -- both for finances and the environment, and carbon footprint-conscious execs may find it easier to meet in a collaborative virtual place than to make frequent plane trips.

Another factor is the cost of equipment in real-world training environments -- if that material can be made available persistently and virtually, costs can be reduced. CIO cites Virtual Heroes' military training simulations as one example of how virtual worlds can provide an alternate way to do certain types of training and education more safely and for less cost.

The report also points out that a virtual experience of working alongside others can help colleagues brainstorm more naturally, whereas they might feel more intimidated or face other conversational challenges speaking up in person. Finally, virtual world environments help create planning exercises -- like letting participants role-play to experiment with various scenarios.

[Via CIO]