One tablet not worth a thousand job operations

Over the last few years, tablet computers have moved from novelty item to corporate luxury to go-to computing device for both individual users and business professionals. Now it is not uncommon to see nurses taking notes, merchants making sales and employees checking email on an iPad or Surface RT tablet.

The benefits of using a mobile computing device like a tablet in the workplace are numerous. However, for companies to get the most out the solution, it depends on the strength of the initial rollout plan and following strategy.

In a recent CIO article, Simon Yates and Ted Schadler covered several of the steps that need to be taken along the way. While just giving an iPad to every member of a company may seem like the best way to start, using a one-size-fits-all approach can actually do more harm than good.

"Tablets are the darlings of hypermobile employes and business leaders looking to improve their processes," wrote Yates and Schadler. "Because each tablet-enabled business scenario is different, only business people – those meeting with customers, inspecting stores or sitting in decision meetings, for example – know what they really need from their tablets."

It is important for departments that will be using the device to be part of the decision-making process. Needs of the sales team, for example, can be completely different from the needs of the inventory control specialists. If only remote workers are issued tablets, than upgrading the in-house wireless network and cabling may not be as high a priority than for businesses that only have on premise employees.

Mobile devices are increasing in importance for today's businesses. Companies that have partnered with an IT consultant like CTI Technology will have a better chance of successfully incorporating the tablets into daily business.