Designed to support customers “in an increasingly virtual real world”, the collaboration will see HP’s xRServices technology and Microsoft HoloLens 2 create a virtual-real world combination that will enable HP engineers to advise users on any issue, at any point of their print production.

Wearing the HoloLens 2 headset and supported by HP xRServices, HP said users will get the feeling of being physically present with a virtual coach on hand to guide them through the process, meaning no time wasted on long service calls, swift resolutions, and minimal press downtime.

Compatible with all HP Industrial Printers, users will be able to be trained and adapt quickly to doing tasks, guided step-by-step by their virtual HP engineer and with the instructions moving with the employees to easily direct them to the parts or problems they need to solve.

Additionally, with HP’s Print OSx production operating system users will be able to use data generated during these sessions with transactional data to drive optimisation and smoother productivity for the future.

Currently in HP’s beta launch of the programme, the new service also offers users the need for less travel and fewer face-to-face meetings and enables faster onboarding for new employees.

Haim Levit, general manager for HP Indigo and WW Industrial Go to Market, said: “With the exponential rise in digital printing fuelling the industry, customers have less time for service calls and higher production runs to meet.

“The way we deliver services in this ever-evolving business and work environment is changing fast, and working with Microsoft on this project was a common-sense solution."