Tablets today are more than just a substitute to traditional computing devices such as desktops or laptops, according to Polycom.
APAC industry solutions and market development director, Tony Sandberg, said this is quite a change in perception from when tablets were introduced a few years ago.
“Initially tablet devices did cause challenges for some organisations, as the true value of these devices in the workplace was not universally recognised,” he said.
Sandberg said tablets are now viewed as an “integrated tool within a broader set of devices” encouraging flexibility and productivity at the workplace.
“One example includes the concept of ‘smart pairing technology’, which allows tablets to wirelessly connect to existing infrastructure such as a video enabled meeting room or immersive telepresence suite,” he said.
Users with mobile devices are able to make use of smart pairing to easily share content and control a meeting.
For example, content on a tablet device can be transferred to a video conferencing screen for all participants to view with a swipe of a finger.
“This is something that cannot be done on a laptop or computer,” Sandberg said.
Beyond tablets
The introduction of smartphones initially kick started the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement, though the influx of tablets have contributed to the momentum.
While BYOD initially posed some teething problems for businesses, Sandberg said benefits now “far outweigh” any potential challenges.
“More than ever we are starting to see the different ways businesses are capitalising on the opportunities BYOD offers,” he said.
As for what other non-smartphone products can potentially cause headaches for businesses, Sandberg points to the recent influx of wearable devices.
Read more: Tablet boom reinvented notebook PCs: Kensington
“While they are predominantly only being used by consumers at present, they are likely to enter the workplace in the not-so-distant future, becoming an extension of BYOD,” he said.
Patrick Budmar covers consumer and enterprise technology breaking news for IDG Communications. Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_budmar.
