Tablets for Enterprise

Mobility is transforming how enterprises do business—it is a key channel for interacting with customers, employees and suppliers. Now tablets are fast becoming an unstoppable trend within mobility. But developments in mobility are so frequent and rapid that keeping up to speed can be challenging. In just 12 months, the iPad has redefined expectations of what a mobile computer should be: instant-on, highly portable, all-day batteries, always-connected and app-driven.

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To take full advantage of what tablets can offer in competitive advantage and delivering the highest possible returns on investment (ROI), it is vital that enterprises act now to address the opportunities and challenges ahead. Another trend presenting new challenges and affecting enterprises is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Many of the mobile devices we see coming into the enterprise today were initially aimed at consumers. As the workforce has become more familiar with smartphones, and now increasingly tablets, employees expect to be able to use their mobile devices in the same way at work as they do at home.

However, the key to success depends on how enterprises respond and adapt to these and other transformative challenges posed by the new wave of mobility, with added ROI pressures and associated organisational challenges, such as multiple device management, support, application development, security and data management.

Rapid adoption on a large scale suggests a key role for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), wireless operators, services and system integration firms, software vendors, cloud and content providers help organizations to understand how best to integrate their effectiveness and drive maximum returns on the investments they make in mobility. So what steps do they and enterprises need to take to meet the challenge?

The implications for the players in the enterprise mobility value-chain are far-reaching. New technology provides opportunities to achieve increased sales. But it also brings increased competition, overcoming the advantages gained by early adopters and price erosion. Different players in the enterprise mobile market will need to develop their strategies accordingly.

The complexities and challenges of a rapidly developing market for tablets in the enterprise are just starting to play out. The rules of the game are changing fast. And they have implications for all players. We are seeing a new mobile ecosystem emerge that will drive new business models, new channels to market and new forms of collaboration.

OEMs, wireless operators, software vendors and cloud providers each have a key role to play in helping enterprises understand and benefit from this new technology. The competition is going to be intense. Who will win? Those that can show a clear path to cost reduction or revenue growth through the game-changing efficiency and effectiveness that tablets promise.