The PC-to-iPad conversion takes careful consideration

Apple recently announced that the iPad3 will be released in March. As its moniker suggests, this is the third generation of the computer. To many this means the comfort level with the platform enables it to be used for critical business applications.

Already we’re seeing business applications developed for the iPad from some pretty venerable or, dare we say it, legacy vendors. The typical model has remote workers who need to input or retrieve data from a central database. Examples include warehouse personnel who need to check or update inventory, health care workers working with medical records, or even wait staff in a restaurant taking orders.

Many organizations use tablet computers simply for the Hollywood cachet. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, as many businesses sell their products or services primarily based on flashiness. At least for the foreseeable future, there isn’t any flashier technology product than the iPad.

For the more run-of-the-mill organization, though, the software has to make business sense. This takes us back to basic software acquisition and/or software development principles. What business requirements are being satisfied with a tablet-based software application? What business valued does the tablet-based software provide?

For example, consider the case of the warehouse worker. What benefits (and associated value) are realized by using a tablet computer to retrieve and update information? Is this measurably better than having a PC on a desk in the warehouse? At what cost?

As with every other technology solution, there are infrastructure costs as well. The newer tablets have cellphone-type connectivity built in, but exclusive use of this type of communication gets expensive. So, for the most part, organizations are going to need a wireless network to support their remote tablet computing needs.

Furthermore, one of the selling points of a tablet computer is its portability. It’s light, small and thereby easy to carry. In fact, it’s easy for someone to take it home! The cheapest iPad is $500. The theft of even one unit cannot be overlooked.

Another manner in which organizations are using tablet computers is to access a Windows desktop remotely, using virtualization technologies such as Citrix or VMware. While this can be handy in some cases, the difference in interface paradigms can be difficult to overcome. Windows has used its point-click, mouse-based interface for years. The finger-based interface of a tablet often cannot replicate mouse-based actions.

This difference in interfaces must also be considered by organizations thinking about simply replacing laptops with tablets. It’s not as simple as it sounds. However, as the technology continues to mature, and other vendors rise up to challenge Apple’s 80-plus percent market share, we will see more and more business applications on tablets.

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John Agsalud is an IT expert with more than 20 years of information technology experience. Reach him at johnagsalud@yahoo.com.