SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pixvana, an XR platform and solutions provider specializing in corporate learning and training, and La Marzocco, a world leader in espresso machine innovation since 1927, today announced they have partnered to create an immersive learning café experience that spotlights the importance of optimizing customer and barista flow in the modern café.

“Optimizing operational flow is crucial to creating a profitable coffee shop business,” said Scott Callendar, VP of Marketing and Consumer Strategy at La Marzocco. “Using immersive experiences, café owners gain a real sense of presence within the shop so they can better understand the best ways to physically integrate the espresso machine into daily operations. This life-like experience transports them into a setting where they can see firsthand, the benefits of integrating streamlined process functions and flows into their operations.”

The custom interactive experience built with XR tools and features uses 360° footage shot at various café locations around the country and at Crush the Rush, an annual barista competition that takes place in five U.S. cities. The experience assists café owners by offering a clearer understanding of how optimal spatial flow and streamlined use of espresso machines impacts sales and customer relations. Owners use the experience to make changes to their operation that result in shorter wait times for customers and that increase the number of customers served. In addition to depicting a more efficient café space, the experience also helps baristas prepare for work in a live café setting.

“This unique project underscores the power of immersive presence that only the XR medium can create,” said Aaron Rhodes, Executive Producer at Pixvana. “Café owners and baristas can actually experience the bustle of a busy shop and be among their customers as they move throughout the space. The experience improves processes and flows, which in turn enhances efficiencies for the business and customers. It’s truly a revolutionary use of technology in the coffee industry.”

The immersive learning experience also offers café owners a nuanced look at the shifts that have occurred in the coffee business industry – from selecting and sourcing the best beans, to faster brewing techniques, to the production of a higher quality cup of coffee.

La Marzocco will use the immersive experience as a sales and customer relations tool going forward. Pixvana’s SPIN Studio, a cloud-powered XR-native platform, makes it easy for La Marzocco to scale this experience beyond the headset. With a click of a button, La Marzocco can share the experience to fleets of learners on mobile devices, laptops, or even big screen TVs.

“This immersive experience is truly unique and something every café owner should use,” said Andrew Milstead, owner of Milstead & Co. “With zero downtime I had the opportunity to see firsthand how improving workflows can create a more efficient café – and pay dividends to store profits and customer satisfaction. This life-like experience will give café owners a new perspective on store and customer dynamics that will benefit their business in many ways.”

Try SPIN Studio Lite for Free today!

About Pixvana

Pixvana, a virtual reality solutions provider, helps enterprises develop cutting-edge approaches to solve business challenges in innovative ways. Customers choose Pixvana for its powerhouse combination of breakthrough VR technology and award-winning creative team. Pixvana addresses a range of corporate VR applications - from training and tours, to marketing and healthcare - and can manage all aspects of project development, from strategy to execution. The company is venture-backed by Vulcan Capital, Madrona Venture Group, Microsoft, Cisco, Raine and Hearst Ventures. Pixvana’s founders have proven startup success in media technology, and hail from senior product and engineering leadership roles at Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, and Lucasfilm. For more information visit www.pixvana.com.

About La Marzocco

Named for the symbol of Florence, Italy – the seated lion – La Marzocco has been the leader in espresso machine innovations since 1927. For the last 90 years, each La Marzocco espresso machine has been assembled by hand in Florence, Italy, and today La Marzocco espresso machines can be found in the finest cafes and restaurants around the world. A shared passion for tradition and the search for quality and superior reliability continue to distinguish the company. The North American operation for La Marzocco is based in Seattle, offering sales, distribution, technical support, and training to the coffee community, with the goal of being instrumental to the craft and forward motion of the espresso industry. In addition to its commercial offerings, La Marzocco also extends to the home with La Marzocco Home, through which coffee enthusiasts can explore the craft and science of espresso, using the highest quality, professional-grade equipment designed for the home. In 2016, La Marzocco launched the La Marzocco Café and Showroom, a café that showcases a different coffee company from around the world every month in Seattle Center. www.lamarzoccousa.com @lamarzocco