Tablet PCs and the enterprise

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Where do tablets fit in?

Tablets, argue their manufacturers, provide full-strength computing in a form factor ideal for working on-the-go.

Healthcare and education are typical tablet applications. With ink and handwriting-recognition capabilities, notes captured in the field or forms filled out at a patient's bedside are converted to text and saved to the tablet PC.

"Pen and paper are OK, but quite expensive to process and use over a period," says Toal. "Changing to tablets can often save money. Insurance companies, local government offices, anywhere where pen and paper still rule could use tablets."

To identify who in your organisation could benefit most from a tablet, you need to consider which of your employees regularly interacts out of the office with customers using a computing device, giving one-on-one presentations perhaps or filling out forms. Many people in these roles favour tablet PCs on the basis that they create less of a barrier between salesperson and customer, as laptops and desktops can do.

"I ran a market research company in Queensland, Australia for a number of years," says research professional Nick Parfitt.

"I got an NEC tablet three years ago rather than a laptop mainly because you are able to talk to people in in-depth interviews without the size of the device intruding between you and the respondent, and also because in Queensland's sometimes harsh climate with dust, high humidity and so on, it was easier to protect the device."

Choosing the right product

As with any computing device, it is important to determine what level of processing power and memory will be appropriate for your workforce. Tablet PCs are full-strength computing devices, and have processing capabilities and memory levels to run multiple applications simultaneously, and store programs and documents the mobile professional needs on a daily basis.

Tablet PCs are made in a range of sizes with a variety of features that enhance mobility, including Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as IrDA ports, and up to eight hours of battery life. In addition, for mobile workers who spend much of their time outdoors, it is important to find a screen that can be seen clearly in direct sunlight.

"Tablet PCs are compatible with many major operating systems and applications," says Toal. "However, businesses using custom applications may have to update them to take full advantage of tablet PC features."

But you needn't associate tablets with expensive bespoke software. Microsoft says that Vista will be geared to run 'out of the box' with tablet PCs, even ones with moderate specifications like a 1Ghz CPU and as little as 512Mb of RAM.

Tougher than laptops?

Durability is often but not always crucial when dealing with a mobile workforce. It's therefore important to consider the field environment the tablet will be exposed to. Do employees need a rugged tablet that can withstand work environments such as construction sites, or do they simply need a tablet with a high level of durability to withstand everyday use and the occasional bump or drop?

"Is the average tablet a cannonball breaker?" says Toal. "No, but it should cope well with a bit more attrition that a standard laptop. It's built to be grabbed."

Although primarily associated with outdoor use, the tablet is also the preferred format for many indoor mobile tasks where a mobile device will not spend all its time on a flat surface. This includes classrooms where the user needs to be able to hold the device with one hand only for long periods.

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