SME tablet uptake gains momentum

ZDNet reports. What the buyers really mean by “tablets” is Apple iPads.

The results can be found in NPD Group's Q3 SMB Technology Monitor. For the survey, SMEs were defined as businesses with less than 1 000 employees, and NPD said the “average investment” would exceed $21 000.

“Businesses of all sizes appear to be determined to capitalise on the tablet phenomenon,” said Stephen Baker, VP of industry analysis at NPD.

“The iPad, just as it is in the consumer market, is synonymous for 'tablet' in the business market, leaving Apple poised to take advantage of the increased spending intentions of these SMBs. NPD's research shows that iPad purchase preference is higher among larger firms than smaller ones, which is an important indicator that Apple is gaining traction far outside its typical consumer space.”

According to the NPD Group, out of the larger firms having 501 to 999 employees, 89% are likely to buy slates and spend nearly $39 000 on average, Mobiletor.com reports.

On the other hand, the statistics recorded for smaller businesses with less than 50 employees are much lower, as only about 54% of them plan to pay an average amount of $2 000 on new tablets.

The main fact to be established out of this study could be that the tablet, especially the iPad, is emerging as a more convenient option for work as opposed to traditional stationary PCs in SMEs.