Tablets still carving niche in enterprise, report says

Though tablet computers are among the fastest-growing technologies in the enterprise today, a report from news provider the Ecommerce Times asserts that the devices still have not established a firm role in the workplace.

Tablets have been adopted in some fashion in nearly every type of work environment at this point, from boardrooms to emergency rooms to construction sites. Businesses across industries are deploying the devices at an alarming rate in an effort to improve workflow and communication while cutting expenses in other areas.

Despite this trend, the tablet has not yet proven itself to be crucial to any specific job function. The news provider notes that at the moment tablets are considered more of a luxury to have in the workplace than a necessity.

This isn't to suggest that the tablet's role in the enterprise won't change. As businesses become more familiar with the technology, its applications are likely to evolve and the device will become a staple in the workplace.

A May 2011 study from Dimensional Research reveals that 72 percent of surveyed enterprises currently support tablets on some level. Though the full implications of the technology may not yet be realized, adoption of the tablet is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future.