European companies rapidly deploying tablets

 

The modern tablet, which first made its debut in the form of the Apple iPad in April 2010, has been a hot topic of discussion for enterprise mobility during the past several months. According to a recently released IDC report, it appears that Europe is among the regions of the globe where the devices have really taken off among companies.

The research firm's Tablets in the Enterprise study found that 12 million tablets had already been deployed for enterprise use throughout the EMEA region during the first three quarters of 2011. But that figure was expected to nearly double by the end of the year, as IDC said it expects 20 million tablets to be deployed among European companies by the start of 2012.

While the research was focused on European companies, it provides a glimpse into the profound impact that the device is having on mobile device management programs around the world.

"Tablets have undoubtedly become a credible client device option, and in some cases better fulfilling needs which are incorrectly or only partially fulfilled by other devices or platforms," the IDC report stated.

Overall, 48 percent of European companies have evaluated the use of tablets or already made a purchase with the intent to distribute the devices to employees. Furthermore, respondents in many of the verticals analyzed by IDC's researchers said a deployment of tablets should be complete by the end of 2012. Transport and storage, utilities and distribution were among the industries that demonstrated the most enthusiasm for the devices.

Much of this desire can be traced to the fact that European companies view modern tablets - defined by the iPad - as better options than what they are currently using, namely traditional slate computers and vertical application devices, IDC said. Slightly fewer than one-quarter of companies expressed such a view, according to the report.

Still, IDC acknowledged that companies won't lose sight of wireless expense management practices when deploying tablets.

"Businesses will of course be extremely vigilant in their choice, especially at a time when economic instability forces budgets to be spent very cautiously," the report stated.

Companies in the United States have also demonstrated a desire to add tablets to their already expanding mobility programs. According to a New York Times report published last month, Apple has said that 92 percent of companies that fall within the Fortune 500 are at least exploring the use of iPads.