How Can Different Workplace Variants Be Created, Compared, and Evaluated Efficiently?
This was the question Siemens faced when several plants were planning new assembly workstations for different product variants at the same time. The goal was to create, adjust, and validate digital prototypes in the shortest time possible—without lengthy rebuilds.
With Halocline Professional, the team succeeded in developing multiple layout versions in parallel thanks to the variant function and comparing them directly in virtual reality. This made it possible to involve employees early on and base decisions on a realistic foundation.
As part of a cross-site proof of concept, Siemens deployed Halocline in four plants. The software was specifically used for the planning and optimization of workstations to efficiently implement adjustments required for new product variants. The existing planning process was time-consuming: changes had to be rebuilt or modeled multiple times in external CAD systems. With Halocline Professional, planning was intended to become more agile—through the direct copying, adjusting, and comparing of different workplace variants within the same project.
The Goals:
- Develop variants of workstations quickly and in a structured way
- Check and evaluate differences directly in VR
- Involve employees early
- Significantly reduce planning time
Approach
Step 1: Create an Initial Variant – Define the Foundation
In Halocline, an initial baseline variant of the workstation was created. The team placed the required objects from the library (e.g., workbench, material containers, tools) in the desktop view and arranged them according to the planned workflows. This variant served as the “baseline”—the core layout that would later be duplicated and adjusted.
→ More in the workflow: Build Current State
Step 2: Create New Variants – Generate Alternatives Efficiently
With the Professional license, Siemens could create new alternatives directly from the existing variant. Copies were generated via the variant menu and could be edited independently of each other. This led to variants with different tool arrangements, material paths, or working heights—without altering the original model. This used the “Create New Variant” function from the article “Variants”:
- Select existing variant
- Create “New Variant”
- Assign naming and description (e.g., Variant A – Short Material Path, Variant B – More Storage Space)
→ More in the workflow: From Rough to Fine – From Desktop to VR
Step 3: Edit Variants in 2D – Refine the Details
In the 2D view of Halocline Layout, variants could be refined precisely—for example by moving, scaling, or repositioning objects. This ensured efficient use of available space and made differences between variants clearly visible. The articles “Editing Variants in 2D” and “Test and Compare Variants” describe these steps in detail.
Key Considerations:
- Top view for precise object positioning
- Check object spacing and safety zones
- Name and document variants clearly
→ More in the workflow: From Rough to Fine – From Desktop to VR
Step 4: Review Variants in VR – Experience Differences in Real Scale
After the 2D adjustments, Siemens switched to the VR view to walk through all variants in a realistic environment. In virtual reality, employees could evaluate which arrangement offered the best reach distances, visibility, and walking paths. Switching between variants was done directly in VR via the variant menu, as described in the article “Switch Between Work Areas and Variants”.
This allowed all versions to be compared directly—without leaving the project. It significantly simplified joint decision-making in planning workshops.
Finally, Siemens used the reporting function from the article “Tabular Report” to objectively evaluate the variants. Data such as object positions, process times, or space utilization could be exported in table form. Based on this, the variants were compared and the optimal solution selected.
→ More in the workflow: Test and Compare Variants
Results & Added Value for Siemens
With Halocline Professional, Siemens was able to significantly accelerate and improve the planning process:
- Four Times Faster Planning through parallel variant development
- Direct Comparison of different workstation concepts in VR
- Higher Acceptance because employees were involved early
- Quick Adaptability to new product requirements
- Structured Documentation for future projects
The result: An efficient, interactive planning process that brings together creativity and practical knowledge—enabling decisions based on a solid visual foundation.
Conclusion
The Siemens use case shows how the variant function of Halocline Professional makes digital workplace planning significantly more agile. With just a few clicks, different layout ideas can be created, tested, and compared—directly in 3D and virtual reality. This makes planning not only faster but also more transparent and collaborative.