Equiniti Group plc, a leading provider of technology-led solutions to financial services clients, introduces EQ Strata, an augmented reality (AR) app enabling clients to increase customer engagement through technology.

AR brings images to life by overlaying video animation, 3D models and audio to immerse customers in an interactive world. Equiniti uses the app to design client solutions that enhance engagement with customers, whether they are employees, investors or shareholders.

In recent weeks, use of this technology has taken off, with nearly 15 million downloads of the AR powered game Pokémon Go.

Phil Ainsley, MD Employee Services, is keen to tap into the potential of a medium that opens up alternative channels of communication to employees, particularly those who don’t always have access to a corporate internet. “We are already using this technology to promote activity in share plans and flexible benefits, and the app not only animates static images but can use geographic location to display information in the local language.”  

More than 864 million smartphones already have AR technologies enabled in them with forecasts showing that over 2.5 billion mobile AR apps will be downloaded yearly by 2017. 

Jade Jordan James from Equiniti Creative said: “We are excited to be delivering such an innovative product. EQ Strata is the latest example of Equiniti applying its technological expertise to provide solutions for clients that help people to understand and find out more about savings, employee benefits and investments. In 2015 the company launched the innovative and accessible RetireMe app which allow savers to plan their income in retirement through their smartphones.”