* Survey says iPad will be used in the enterprise
IPad fever has begun. The Apple tablets, in versions with just 802.11n connections or both 802.11n and 3G links, are hitting the store shelves as we speak. They even made an appearance on the network sitcom “Modern Family,” further fueling iPad fervor. The iPad tablet, announced in January, has been optimized as a consumer device, but, like its cousin, the Apple iPhone, could wreak havoc on enterprise mobility management and security efforts as users bring them into the enterprise.
Screenshots from the iPad
The $499-and-up iPad has been designed for browsing the Internet, playing games, reading e-books and viewing video content in a form factor that falls between the iPhone smartphone and MacBook laptop. However, we all know that with the blurring of business and personal electronic toys — er, I mean “tools” — the device will likely show up in the enterprise, invited or not.
In fact, Sybase recently released a study with some revealing results about plans and applications for devices such as the iPad. The research, compiled from an online survey of 2,443 adults who carry mobile phones, indicated that the top reason U.S. consumers would use a tablet such as the Apple iPad is for “conducting work on the device” (52%). This application edged out “watching movies, video, television programs” (48%) and “gaming and other entertainment” (35%).
Another 20% said they would use such a device to show business presentations. Think: “lighter than a laptop, bigger screen than an iPhone.”
Another interesting tidbit: When asked which functions they wished their mobile phone had, there was a virtual tie between “ability to watch streaming television and movies” and “interconnect with my work systems,” each garnering about 27% of responses.
So here comes another device that’s going to require enterprise-class management and security but doesn’t come with it baked in. Fortunately, there are a number of mobile device management (MDM) companies adding support for new mobile devices as fast as they can.
Sybase’s iAnywhere subsidiary is one. MDM vendor Zenprise announced support for the iPad just a few days ago. Others who have announced, hinted at or that are otherwise likely to support the iPad are BoxTone, Good Technology (now owned by Visto Corporation,) Mobile Iron and Trust Digital.
