Explore use of Tablets in business: Gartner

MUMBAI, INDIA: Media tablets are presenting a variety of new opportunities for businesses, but they are also requiring a new set of policies, technologies and skills for enterprises, says a recent report from Gartner Inc, a provider of IT research and advisory services.

The research report provides advice on best practices for business uses of iPad and other media tablets.

It suggested that CIOs explore the use of media tablets in business, as they present a variety of new opportunities for business.

“CIOs are determined not to make the same mistakes they made with smartphones, which were often written off early as expensive and frivolous toys, or executive status symbols, which then left room for more inventive leaders who saw the competitive advantage that mobile applications would bring," said David Willis, research vice president at Gartner.

He added that they are also more willing to see that they don't need to supply and manage every device that employees use at work.

Tablets shipments to touch 69 mn in 2011

The impact of the media tablet in the eyes of the public is much greater than that would be believed from the number of units shipped.

Gartner expects media tablet shipments to be approximately 69 million in 2011, which is only a small fraction of the total number of application-capable mobile devices, such as smartphones. 

Media tablets present a variety of new opportunities for business, while supplementing traditional uses of notebooks and smartphones.

"The iPad, and the larger wave of media tablets, has captured the imagination of business leaders. Some companies have issued them to business and IT leaders in the spirit of exploration. Others see areas in which they can use media tablets to bring computing into settings that were not practical or were too cumbersome to use traditional approaches," said Willis.

Tablet a new experience

"For the consumer, the iPad brought a casual but rich experience into the living room, or the train, or while waiting in line at the bank. In turn, IT organizations are finding new places where tablets can deliver information and media in new ways," Willis added.

He pointed out that companies that had already recognized the flood of consumer devices coming into business, and had figured out a way to leverage it rather than fight it, have been more-prepared to support media tablets.

According to Gartner, Media Tablets are neither better laptops nor better smart phones, but complement both. When compared with laptops, media tablets activate instantly, allowing a user to get right to what he or she needs, immediately, without long and frustrating startup times. They have exceptional battery life and are responsive, tactile and inviting.

"Sales leaders are clamoring to adopt media tablets with their sales teams, as more engaging way to share sales collateral and promotional materials. And it won't stop there: Next will come customer relationship management systems, and order entry and sales configuration applications. For sales managers, media tablets will be a natural platform for business analytics and performance dashboards," said Willis.

Tablet has enormous potential in workplace

However, just as media tablets won't replace PCs, Gartner does not believe that they will replace mobile phones as voice devices, even in the smaller form factors, such as those with 7-inch displays. Nevertheless media tablets still have enormous potential in the workplace, although who stands to benefit most from the phenomenon remains to be seen.

"Fundamentally, the market battle will not hinge on features and specifications; on the fit and finish of a given device; or even on a device at all. The platform that will prevail will have a strong supporting ecosystem of developers producing a wide range of applications. And in this area, Apple is far ahead of any competition," Willis said.