Tablet PC sales continue to grow and it’s not just consumers that are buying. Businesses are increasingly recognising tablet PCs as a platform for innovation.
New specification tablet PCs – which now combine portability with the power of a laptop and experience of a desktop, complete with enterprise-level security – are becoming important components in mobility strategies.
In South Africa, where businesses have been slow to adopt mobility strategies, the tablet PC offers more than a few answers. Global sales of tablet PCs, which will overtake sales of desktop PCs in 2015, support the notion that these devices are becoming much more than mere personal productivity tools.
Says Llewellyn Chame, Mobility Specialist at Dell: “Disruptive business models that enable companies to do things faster, better and with less effort are appearing everywhere and they are being powered by smart mobile devices.
“These business models discard traditional business and operations models, which are largely paper-based, in favour of digital processes. These digital processes lower the cost and risk of doing business, increases the pace of business and, perhaps most importantly, improves customer satisfaction. Tablet PCs, because they are now more powerful, feature rich and secure, are becoming an important part of these strategies.”
Notes George Lodewick, Dell commercial product specialist at DCC: “Tablet PCs are incredibly versatile. They remain portable with form factors of between 7 and 11 inches, however, they now also have all the power of a midrange notebook, a Windows Operating System (OS) that adds the tight security integration that enterprises demand, and full Microsoft Office productivity suite capability.
“The touchscreen and icon-based menu makes them familiar, comfortable devices to all levels of staff – from power users like executives, managers and sales teams that want to access back-end systems whenever and wherever, to staff with low tech literacy that organisations must now integrate into new, more efficient and effective digitally-enabled processes.”
Explains Chame: “For mobile users, who have different requirements, the high-end tablet PC offers convergence of two devices – the notebook and the tablet. Today’s tablet line-up, however, offers a range of processing options – from quad-core Atom processors to third-generation Intel Core i5 processors.
“2-in1 devices offer additional features with a flip-and-fold keyboard that also acts as a case. Tablet PCs offer a host of features that will benefit the user including up to 8 Gigabytes (GB) of Random Access Memory (RAM) coupled with Intel i5 processors, Windows 8 and Microsoft Office Pro and up to 256GB of internal storage. They literally turn a tablet into a notebook as and when needed, while retaining the light tablet PC form factor convenience. The speed and power of these devices easily equate to last year’s top end notebooks.”
At the other end of the spectrum, for staff that may not be comfortable with high-end technology – e.g., operational staff that interface with customers and suppliers, and work in the field – the tablet PC offers an easy entry to the world of technology-driven processes. The benefits are significant.
Explains Chame: “Given current advances in technology and the consequent repositioning and even repurposing of mobile devices, now is the ideal time for organisations to take stock of their mobility strategies, understand the new capabilities of mobile devices and how they could optimise business operations and processes. There are successful examples everywhere.
“Take for instance, a company that delivers consumables. Instead of a manual paper system, the driver could make use of a tablet PC to log deliveries; receive digital signatures on receipt; note returns either wrong stock or spoiled goods; and take new or replacement orders. With a single touch, via Wi-Fi or 3G, the driver’s actions and interactions could be registered at the office and orders acted on within minutes or hours rather than days. In addition, a tablet PC could provide GPS navigation, route planning, and assist with logistics, ensuring the delivery vehicle capacity is maximised. With email and other communication capabilities, the tablet PC also provides always-on connectivity with the office.
“Another company, whose business it is to poll shoppers in malls, has evolved its business model and its value proposition to its clients through the implementation of a mobility strategy. By switching from a paper-based to a digital system, clients now have real-time insight into the success of their promotions or products as interviewers record shopper ratings and results in real time.”
Fit for function
Says Lodewick: “Many organisations have stalled at the gates in terms of adopting new technology or implementing mobile strategies because the devices and solutions were either too expensive or complex, or exposed the company to security threats. Many of these issues are being addressed as manufacturers improve security and functionality, and platforms mature.
In terms of devices, things are changing quickly and users need to review the landscape. The lines are blurring between devices as smartphones, tablet PCs and notebooks advance and evolve, and are joined by hybrid devices such as phablets (tablets with phone capabilities) and 2-in-1’s (tablets with an optional fold-away keyboard). Among these, the tablet PC has a lot to offer.
“It offers flexibility in terms of power and features, as well as formats, making it an attractive enterprise workhorse and personal productivity device. It also has all the security features organisations look for. With Windows 8.1, it can be integrated fully into enterprise security policies, with additional features such as Selective Wipe to enable full security of enterprise data.”
Concludes Chame: “Tablet PCs have the potential to effect change – to re-engineer process and drive value and revenues. The opportunities are tremendous but there is also a hidden threat in adopting a strategy that is not well thought out – organisations need to assess their positions and identify how they will gear themselves to remain relevant and competitive in a digital realm.