How Firewalls Prevent 3D Virtual Technology Adoption

Users of 3D platforms continue to find “access” as the single biggest problem facing the expanded use of 3D virtual technology, especially for corporate training applications. There have been connectivity issues regarding 3D applications and firewalls because they often require diverse types of internet traffic including VoIP, positional data, etc. No matter how sophisticated the platform, if your intended audience cannot participate then your initiative will fail.
1. Behind the Firewall Installations: 3D vendors tend to tackle the firewall problem in one of three ways. The first way is to require that their platform be installed behind their corporate customer’s firewall. However this approach is problematic because it creates upfront expense, risk, time and administrative complexity and only resolves the issue for employees who are behind that particular firewall.

2. Flash and Java – based 3D Applications: Another way that 3D vendors attempt to work around firewalls is by developing 3D Flash or Java-based applications. 3D applications can avoid most firewall problems using this approach. However, Flash and Java are graphically and functionally limited as well as offer poor fidelity. This proves problematic because, the virtual experience’s fidelity shapes employees’ usage and view of this technology within their organization. In the tradition of Jeff Foxworthy’s popular “You might be a redneck” monologue,

If your avatar looks like a cartoon;
If you are unable to turn your neck to look around;
If your virtual venue resembles Sponge Bob’s living room;
Then…you might be a Java or 3D Flash application!

3. Independent Firewall Friendly Solutions: The third and most difficult way 3D vendors bypass firewalls is by engineering every aspect of their platform to run seamlessly through every firewall type and proxy server configuration. Very few vendors attempt this approach though because getting it right can be as difficult and time-consuming as building the 3D platform itself. However, it is by far the best approach because the platform is then accessible from anywhere, can be used for any application or target audience and provides for a full-featured high fidelity experience.