Game Changers: Tablets Takeover

Steve Knutson

Chief Information Officer

Marco

www.marconet.com

Topic: Technology

A demand for both portability and all-in-one capabilities is revolutionizing the computing market and soon will change how we do business. In the near future, desktops will become obsolete and even the traditional laptop will be taken over by tablet technology.

Apple ignited the shift with the advent of the coveted iPad. While iPads have been integrated in businesses, they still serve as complementary devices. The release of tablets designed specifically for business likely will change that.

Apple is expected to add more security features and business applications, but likely will hold tight to its consumer roots as other manufacturers launch business-focused devices. While Samsung, Motorola and others will release tablets this year, I see the new tablets from HP and Cisco as the biggest game changers for businesses – and the industry.

New Tablet Technology
The potential capabilities of the tablets will grow exponentially because most of them use open operating systems that a broad group of developers can create applications for. The HP TouchPad uses WebOS and the Cisco Cius uses Android OS. Android designed the operating system for tablets to give users several new interface features not available on smartphones.

With the look and feel of the already popular iPad, the HP TouchPad is nearly identical to the iPad in screen size, resolution and weight. The TouchPad, available this summer, boasts a variety of out-of-the-box business applications to allow professionals to collaborate with colleagues using Google™ Docs, print wirelessly and much more.

The new Cius, an all-in-one device released this spring, likely will be the biggest game changer this year. It delivers both robust tablet functionality and a mobile phone to give businesses a completely integrated technology solution. It features Cisco’s communication products and likely will make an impact with its video conferencing capabilities.
Many of the new devices, including the iPad 2, have one or two built-in cameras designed for video conferencing. Cisco’s recent acquisitions of WebEx and Tandberg equip the Cius with additional business applications.

More Capabilities
A desire to make video as accessible as voice and data is driving development of the tablets. While portable videoconferencing will not completely replace face-to-face meetings, it does deliver the convenience, cost savings and immediate collaboration demanded in the business world. Groups can convene in minutes to discuss an issue and make a decision rather than waiting the traditional days, weeks or even months to meet in a conference room.

Beyond portability, tablets give businesses increased reliability and a lower total cost of ownership. Thin clients, by design, do not have moving parts like laptops. This naturally reduces technical issues. A hard drive or fan causes the majority of issues – or computer crashes. By not having either of these or other hardware components, tablets face far fewer issues.

This year, tablet devices like the TouchPad and Cius will remain on the bleeding edge of technology with only the early adopters buying in. That will not last long. By next year, I would expect them to move to the cutting edge and quickly become the new standard business computer.