CMYK
Cover Story
Enterprise Embrace Tablets 4
Mobility July 2013
Y
es it is a fact, we are living in a tablet friendly world now and Tablets are everywhere, they are in the enterprise segment as well, in a very big way though, whether put there by management or brought in by employees, and they’re becoming as indispensable to workers as smartphones. The Web is becoming the winning platform. BYOD will become the norm, versus enterprise control. In a world where people are working anywhere and any time, a multi-screen world will be the norm. Owing to the above factors, Tablets are becoming the new craze in the enterprise arena. The devices have been rapidly catching on in the corporate world since 2010 when Apple launched the iPad. The momentum that tablet adoption has continues as the corporate world has warmed to the idea of deploying slates to employees. Tablets were mainly used in niche applications such as data collection out in the field by utility workers. Even by the time nearly every employee www.mobilityindia.com
CMYK
CMYK
Cover Story had a smartphone, the number of people using tablets was still low. Now, though, enterprises are deploying one tablet for every five smartphones in the corporate world, according to research firm IDC. That might still seem like a wide span, but it says something about the corporate tablet use and where it’s headed. In essence, it means that tablets are working well for enterprise customers and they are going to deploy more of them.
the go. These tablets can significantly improve productivity by allowing users to securely access enterprise data from anywhere, anytime. Mobility is one of the key focus areas for most of the organizations, and this will drive higher adoption of enterprise tablets, as they include key mobility features like video sharing and VPN access, amongst others,” he adds on. Talking about the Indian perspective, Saji Kumar, Director – Product Management, Acer India, says that riding on diverse form factors, innovative user interface and app-enablement, the adoption of tablet PCs in the enterprise space have begun to pick up momentum. “With gaining traction amongst enterprisers across the globe we expect tablet PCs to be the next device for companies to move to. Several corporate companies have begun to accept the concept of BYOD, we believe one of the most important parameter for organizations to switch to enterprise applications on mobile devices is the connectivity feature it offers enabling consumers to access and share whatever they want” he explains. Speaking on the tablet market scenario, Sandeep Arya, Managing Director, Amtrak Info Systems, shares his views on the role of tablets in the Enterprise Sector. “Truly, with the advancement of technology in every sphere of life and profession, the enterprise segment is also looking at having solutions in the form of applications onto devices like tablets. We are getting enquiries and requirements from various enterprises based on their respective requirements of using the device,” he adds on.
Today’s Scenario Shishir Singh, Director, Product Marketing, Dell India shares his views on Enterprise Tablets. “Tablets provide the benefit of mobility and having all-round accessibility that enterprises are today searching for. While the tablet market is vast with devices for almost everyone, today organizations are looking for devices which are mobile and versatile in nature and support the correct software and services to address the security and manageability issues that companies face. For enterprises, the option of mobility without any compromise on safety, provides many benefits for their employees, especially the mobile workforce. Tablets such as the Dell Latitude 10, which is the first business-class tablet that can seamlessly and easily integrate into secure and manageable IT environments, can help boost employee productivity by providing a one-stop solution for mobile professionals. As an OS, Windows 8 has also opened up many opportunities in the tablet market and there is a proliferation of devices with different screen sizes and form factors to meet different needs of Enterprise Verticals users such as accessibility of information-on-the-go, mobility, etc. Saji Kumar from Acer India says that the rising popularity of These new devices are power-packed in slim and sleek designs which enterprise mobility in India has resulted in a steady increase in the are committed to perform with great efficiency help in seamless adoption of tablets, especially businesses that require on-the-go technology convergence. Due to this, trends like BYOD can take productivity. “Enterprise verticals including automobiles, retail, BFSI, actual shape now and organizations can reap the benefits from healthcare, education and telecom are the key adopters of tablet them,’’ he adds on. devices in India. With the percentage of mobile workforce expected Leo Joseph, Director, Enterprise Sales, PPS (Printing and Personal to soar in the coming years, tablets will become an indispensible Systems) Group, HP India says that Mobility is transforming the way tool for remote employees. The escalating broadband penetration is how enterprises run their business operations and tablets are fast further poised to drive the adoption of tablets in businesses. becoming the device of choice as it is one such device that supports We are seeing massive demand coming in from the enterprise mobility. segment for our Windows 8 tablets. A number of our enterprise “According to a report from Gartner, enterprise sales of tablets customers have already enquired about the latest Iconia W3. Since will account for about 35% of total tablet sales sold in 2015. In the it’s on a Windows 8, we expect this model to sync well with the years to come enterprises will be happy to allow tablets as part of enterprise customers,” he adds on. bring your own device (BYOD) program. More of these tablets “Tablets provide the benefit of will be owned by consumers who m o b i l i ty a n d h a v i n g a l l - ro u n d use them at work,” he adds on. accessibility that enterprises are Speaking about the enterprise today searching for. While the tablet intake on tablets, Rahul Agarwal, market is vast with devices for Executive Director, Commercial almost everyone, today organizations Business Segment, Lenovo India are looking for devices which are says that tablets are finding its mobile and versatile in nature and place in almost all the verticals of support the correct software and enterprise segment today. services to address the security and “In the enterprise segment, manageability issues that companies we are witnessing an increasing face. For enterprises, the option of demand for tablets and they mobility without any compromise have become the most preferred on safety, provides many benefits computing devices after PC, for for their employees, especially the many users. Enterprise tablets mobile workforce.” are very convenient for viewing documents and accessing Shishir Singh, business applications; they also Director, Product Marketing, include advanced performance Dell India fe a t u r e s , s u p e r i o r s e c u r i t y measures and can be used on www.mobilityindia.com
Mobility July 2013
5
CMYK
CMYK
Cover Story “According to a report from Gartner, enterprise sales of tablets will account for about 35% of total tablet sales sold in 2015. In the years to come enterprises will be happy to allow tablets as part of bring your own device (BYOD) program. More of these tablets will be owned by consumers who use them at work,”
infrastructure, saving time and money by allowing them to easily connect to store systems,” he adds on.
The Tablet Advantage As being put by Leo Joseph from HP India, Portability, productivity and diver se utility of tablets make it the perfect tool for enterprises, Leo Joseph, especially for businesses Director, Enterprise Sales, PPS that are on-the-go. “Some of the key (Printing and Personal Systems) Group, dif ferentiator s that give HP India the tablets an additional advantage are: Mobility: As Shishir Singh from Dell India puts it, some of the key segments that are moving towards integrating tablets are Tablets offer great mobility and hence are great devices for the segments like Insurance and Pharma that are implementing mobile workforce. According to a Salesforce Springboard research and adopting trends like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), for their India’s mobile workforce will reach 205 million by 2015. Tablets are mobile workforce. For them, the ease of device mobility and increasingly finding their way in the work environment. Companies the ability to stay always connected with enhanced enterprise recognize the importance of mobility afforded by tablets to features to ensure data security, help them to work from anywhere executives and key employees. Creation and consumption device: Tablets are no longer meant only for consumption of content. HP’s and at anytime resulting in increased productivity. ‘’With regard to organizations where employees are allowed Elitepad 900, an enterprise based tablet, can be used as a primary to carry their own devices, they are automatically enticed towards device for business users as it can be used for both- creation and tablets for their small form factor that provides ease of portability. consumption of content. It balances smart design with enterprise Moreover, with technological innovation, tablets have become grade features, functionality, serviceability and support. The do-it-all devices that allow the consumer to easily switch between ElitePad’s thoughtfully designed accessories ecosystem allows their professional and personal lives while remaining mobile and the tablet to work as a primary notebook.” He explains. According to Shishir Singh from Dell India, there are many connected.’ he adds on. According to Leo Joseph from HP India, “We have seen positive advantages that tablets bring in. “With a change in lifestyle and traction from enterprises in verticals like retail, BFSI, healthcare, professional demands of prosumers, portable, do-it-all devices, education, hospitality and telecom with regards to adoption such as tablets, provide a one-stop solution. Tablets are compact and implementation of tablets. For instance, the HP ElitePad and light weight, allow all time connectivity enabling people to Mobile Point of Sale (POS) Solution helps retail and hospitality access their digital lives on the go and offer the ability to consolidate businesses enhance the customer experience and maximize staff all their entertainment, communication, and work needs in a productivity. With the rise of sophisticated ecommerce and mobile single device. Ease of mobility is one of the biggest factors that are technologies, today’s tech-savvy consumers expect instant, drawing people towards tablets. Unlike a PC or laptop, tablets are customized access to a brand’s offerings. However, delivering light-weight and with advancements in technology, can tackle most this type of personalized experience can be challenging for brick business needs an employee may have. All these factors together, and mortar businesses. The HP ElitePad Mobile POS solution, improve employee productivity and therefore are an advantage to which is composed of the HP ElitePad plus the Retail Jacket for organizations at large. Another factor that is leading to a growth ElitePad allows businesses to meet customer needs anywhere of tablets is the rise in acceptability of BYOD. This has triggered in the store with mobile POS and assisted selling capabilities. a demand for devices such as the tablets that provide portability The new mobile solution integrates into a retailer’s existing IT and are connected at all times. At the same time, their enterprise friendly features make it easier “In the past we have worked with for IT departments to integrate an Indian automotive major and into the IT environment from a supported them in implementing security and manageability point of view,” he adds on. sales force automation, taking the As being put by Sandeep sales process to the next level. Arya from Amtrack. “Indeed an We employed around 850 tablets ease in access is offered by to d eliver co n s istent pro d u ct devices such as tablets. In the messaging, through this initiative enterprise segment, if we look the sales executives were able at, few of the big advantages can to demonstrate features of the be a solution to many large level vehicles and capture customer requirements –digitized content, better connectivity, flexibility enquiry and test drive feedback.” in creating/using various applications/solutions, ability to Saji Kumar, operate and function remotely, Acer India and since tablet PC being light 6
Mobility July 2013
www.mobilityindia.com
CMYK
CMYK
Cover Story devise it has eliminated trouble carrying several devices while functioning away from the office,” he adds on.
“In the enterprise segment, we are witnessing an increasing demand for tablets and they have become the most preferred computing devices after PC, for many users. Enterprise tablets are very convenient for viewing documents and accessing business applications; they also include advanced performance features, superior security measures and can be used on the go. These tablets can significantly improve productivity by allowing users to securely access enterprise data from anywhere, anytime.”
What Future Holds? More and more organizations that are looking forward to implement BYOD with lots mobile employees, should be looking towards enterprisefriendly tablets for the immense benefits they provide. Sectors l i ke B F S I , M a n u fa c t u r i n g , Automobile, Insurance and Pharma are showing interest in implementing BYOD. “With advancements in technology, a tablet today can Rahul Agarwal, provide all-round connectivity, Executive Director, while being extremely Commercial Business manageable, and therefore Segment, allow the employee to carry Lenovo India work with them wherever they need. Also, enterprise tablets such as the Dell Latitude 10 feature business-class security and easy IT integration to make it convenient for the user as well as more mobile solutions. Since workforce mobility is rising, the device the IT department of any organization to integrate it into their life needs to adapt to provide for their work needs. According to the 2013 and system. Informs, Shishir Singh from Dell India. CIO Enterprise Tablet Survey, 80% of organizations are considering According to the 2013 CIO Enterprise Tablet Survey commissioned a BYOD implementation in the next one year. With a majority of by Dell, 50% of the organizations are considering BYOD implementation organizations considering BYOD, the go-to device will become the in their organizations within the next 6 months. With CIOs seeing the tablet, with its ease of mobility and thus boost in productivity. The benefits of BYOD implementation, the go-to device will become the survey also indicates that 27% of the mobile workforce and 26% of tablet as it provides the employee with the ease of mobility and all- the senior executives have shown interest in using tablets to provide round connectedness. additional value in the organization. These are the people that are “These features provided by a tablet will further boost employee clearly the driving force behind organizations considering a BYOD productivity. With tablets like the Latitude 10 that are targeted towards implementation and tablet integration,” Shishir Singh adds on. enterprises there is also an ease of device management by the IT Speaking about his experience on enterprise tablets, Saji Kumar department as well as protection of data. Taking all these factors from Acer India says, “In the past we have worked with an Indian into consideration places the tablet as the solution for enterprises automotive major and supported them in implementing sales force with mobile professionals, as well as those implementing BYOD. The automation, taking the sales process to the next level. We employed average prosumer lifestyle is undergoing a change that is looking for around 850 tablets to deliver consistent product messaging, through this initiative the sales executives were able to demonstrate features of the vehicles and capture customer enquiry and test drive “Truly, with the advancement of feedback. We are confident in a few quarters technology in every sphere of life tablet PCs with more advanced enterprise and profession, the enterprise friendly features and functionalities will se g m e nt i s a l so l o o k i n g a t hit the market that will boost its adoption having solutions in the form of across business verticals. Enterprises have applications onto devices like begun to understand the benefits of the tablets. We are getting enquiries functionalities and are willing to explore and requirements from various the opportunity,” he adds on. As explained by Sandeep Arya from ente r p r i ses ba se d o n t h e i r Amtrack, in an enterprise driven world, the respective requirements of future belongs to tablets. “A combination of using the device,” tablet and enterprise needs often brings out something unique and different. The future Sandeep Arya, looks really promising and exciting while we Managing Director, see this combination generating results. Amtrak Info Systems Future will offer many new innovations and solutions to meet the changing needs of the enterprises.” He added. www.mobilityindia.com
Mobility July 2013
7
CMYK