US tech firm Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched a new extrended reality (XR) printing service for Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, it announced on Wednesday.

The partnership between both firms will allow further investment and development of printing services for XR devices by allowing customers to link with HP engineers for technical printer advice.

HP’s xRServicves solution will also provide HoloLens 2 headset users with a virtual coach to avoid long service calls and facilitate rapid troubleshooting processes to minimise industrial printer downtimes.

The new solution is currently in beta and compatible with all HP industrial printers for troubleshooting issues with HP engineers, where headset users can receive guided instructions and relay key information to the company using its Print OSx operating system.

The new solution aims to reduce face-to-face meetings and travel for companies, boost support for customers for troubleshooting walkthroughs at any time, and faster onboarding processes for workers.

Tracy Galloway, Corporate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft, said Microsoft’s MR solution would offer a “tangible mechanism” to drive the “changing landscape of human interaction, adding,

“HP and Microsoft working together on reinventing services was a clear winning formula. We are confident HP’s xRServices, and Microsoft’s HoloLens2 and Remote Assist applications, will bring simplicity and ease to HP’s support operations and will be a catalyst for positive change in customer support throughout the industry”

Haim Levit, General Manager for HP Indigo and WW Industrial Go to Market, added the rapid rise in digital printing caused customers to have less for service calls and incrased production runs.

He continued, stating,

“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. We are redefining services for the industry, by providing our customers with a solution which not only saves them time, but optimizes their revenue opportunities”

His company would continue building innovative industry solutions and work with customers to meet production needs in “the virtual and physical worlds.”