As metaverse-related B2B use cases start emerging, companies such as Meta and Microsoft are trending across signals, including news, job postings, filing mentions, patents, and influencer discussions.

In it’s latest research GlobalData cites Mercedes-Benz and BAE Systems recently collaborating with Microsoft for virtual manufacturing and simulation. Both companies aim to drive supply chain efficiencies and generate virtual twins for their manufacturing processes.

Rinaldo Pereira, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, said: “An analysis of GlobalData’s Company Analytics database reveals that companies are actively exploring practical applications for the metaverse within a B2B context, beyond its current conceptualization. The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize industrial manufacturing, and virtual prototyping can help save time and resources, and reduce the need for expensive physical prototypes.”

The metaverse can be used to create virtual showrooms like FIAT’s metaverse store allowing customers to interact with vehicles in a realistic, immersive environment. This use case helps improve customer experience.

Pereira added: “An example of virtual showrooms was FIAT teaming up with Microsoft and Touchcast for the FIAT metaverse store at CES 2023. The metaverse dominated conversations around #CES2023 on social media, stealing the spotlight and generating buzz.”

GlobalData expects a metaverse’ winter in 2023, however its potential will likely not dampen. Metaverse and virtual reality were the key topics and witnessed a staggering 800% month-on-month growth during 05 December 2022 – 04 January 2023 over the previous month among the Twitter influencer conversations about “#CES2023”.

Meta is also forging ahead with strategic partnerships. For example, the collaboration between Intel and Meta is set to bring low-latency wireless VR gaming. Meta had also announced partnerships with Accenture and Microsoft earlier in 2022.

Pereira concluded: “While still at conceptual stage, the metaverse can allow companies to create immersive, interactive training simulations to improve employee productivity. Virtual factories or digital twins can also help in remote team collaborations across different geographies. As Twitter was abuzz with #CES2023, it is evident that the Metaverse continues to capture the attention of influencers.”