Why procedures
Traditional work instructions have two problems: they’re hard to keep current, and they live outside the worker’s hands. Altoura procedures solve both:- Authored once, updated centrally. The Procedures Portal is the single source of truth. Updates reach every device automatically.
- Delivered where the work happens. Steps, 3D models, and media appear anchored to the real equipment — not on a clipboard or a phone off to the side.
- Self-serve for the worker. Choice steps, anchor gems, and task lists let workers pick the right path and work at their own pace.
Anatomy of a procedure
Tasks
High-level groupings of related work. A procedure can have many tasks (for example, Prepare Equipment, Replace Filter, Validate).
Steps
The individual actions within a task that the worker performs in sequence. Each step can carry its own media and 3D content.
3D Models & Media
Visual aids — 3D models, images, videos, audio — anchored in the worker’s physical space to show exactly what to do.
Anchor Gems
Spatial markers placed during authoring. They lock procedure content to the correct physical location when an operator runs it.
Choice Steps
Branching logic. Let the operator pick between paths based on what they observe.
Completion Criteria
Rules for how a step or task is considered complete — explicit confirmation, a choice, or progress through a sub-list.
The two modes
Procedures have two complementary modes, each with its own landing page and UI flow on the HMD.Author Mode — build procedures in the real space
Author Mode is for content creators — subject-matter experts, training teams, supervisors — who want to author procedures where they’ll actually be used.Start in Author Mode
Launch point for creating and editing procedures directly on HoloLens 2.
QR scan flow
Anchor a procedure to real-world equipment using QR codes so content lines up every time.
Panel view
The floating Author panel with step list, media controls, and properties.
Step navigation
Move between steps, insert new ones, and reorder on the fly.
Media panel
Add images, video, and audio to a step to enrich the operator experience.
3D Model panel
Browse and attach 3D models from the asset library.
3D Model authoring
Position, scale, and rotate 3D models exactly where the operator needs them.
Gem placement
Drop anchor gems that lock procedure content to the physical environment.
Choice steps
Author branching logic so operators can pick the right path.
Task list
Organize steps into tasks and manage the overall structure.
Side menu
Save, publish, navigate, and switch modes from the contextual side menu.
Completion
Define how a procedure finishes and what the operator sees at the end.
Operator Mode — run procedures in the field
Operator Mode is for field workers executing a published procedure. Everything is optimized for hands-free use and minimum cognitive load.Operator landing page
Browse and pick the procedure you’re about to run.
Mode selection
Choose between running a procedure and other supported flows.
Panel view
The operator-facing floating panel with step text, media, and navigation.
Step navigation
Move forward, back, and between steps at your own pace.
Media panel
View images, video, and audio for the current step.
3D model panel
Examine the 3D content attached to the current step.
3D model behavior
How 3D models animate, respond, and guide the operator through an action.
Step anchor gem
How anchor gems are used at runtime to keep content in the right place.
Choice step
Pick a branch at runtime when the procedure requires a decision.
Side menu
Navigate, exit, and access runtime controls from the contextual side menu.
Task list
See the full task and step structure of the current procedure.
Completion
What the operator sees when a procedure finishes, and next steps.
Web authoring — build procedures from a browser
For authors who prefer a desktop experience (or are building content at scale without a headset in hand), procedures can also be created and edited from the web.Web authoring overview
The browser-based authoring workspace and what it can do.
Add a step
Create new steps in a task and wire them into the flow.
Choice steps in web
Author branching logic from the browser.
Enrich steps
Attach media and 3D assets to steps.
Add 3D objects
Bring 3D models into a procedure from the asset library.
Asset library
Manage the shared library of 3D models, images, and media.
The procedure lifecycle
Author
They author the procedure either on HoloLens 2 (Author Mode, in the real space) or in the Procedures Portal (browser).
Enrich
They add 3D models, media, choice logic, and anchor gems so the procedure guides the operator precisely.
Publish
The procedure is published from the Portal and becomes available to operators across the tenant.
Run
Operators launch the procedure from Altoura Frontline on HoloLens 2 and follow step-by-step AR guidance.
Procedures + Remote Expert: better together
Procedures are designed for the 90% of situations that are known and repeatable. Remote Expert covers the other 10%.- If something unexpected happens mid-procedure, the operator can switch to Remote Expert directly from the side menu.
- Once on the call, the expert sees the same AR view the operator sees.
- The expert can draw annotations, share PDFs or 3D models, and walk the operator through a fix.
- When the situation is resolved, the operator returns to the procedure and picks up where they left off.