Study: Tablets most sought after device for businesses

Posted by Justin Hesser on February 24, 2012

As technology continues to change rapidly, businesses have been constantly adjusting their operations to fit in with the trends. In the past few years, mobile devices have transformed from simple phones to technological Swiss army knives, and as more individuals purchase them for personal use, businesses are catching on and integrating them into their offices. But, which of these devices has been the most sought after by companies?

According to Inc.com, a recent survey by research firm Captivate Network revealed that phones aren't at the top of the business tech wish list. Tablets turned out to be the number one most coveted item in the office, but the website indicates that this is probably because most employees have phones already.

"Managing the expectations of employees afflicted with 'gadget envy' is not always easy," Captivate Network research director Scott Marden told the source. "Technology helps employees balance their work and personal lives, keeps professionals connected to the world outside their office, and can improve employee retention and overall productivity. Small business owners must be open-minded to personal technology in the workplace."

The study showed that small businesses said that laptops were desired more than both tablets and phones. And actually, according to the results, small companies are 2.5 times more likely than large ones to pick laptops as their favorite devices. One could probably assume that's due to smaller budgets and less room to invest in providing tablets or phones for their employees.

While the initial cost of adding tablets or phones to a small business's operation may seem daunting, using them effectively can produce a speedy return on investment. It's important to make sure that the devices are running adequate and appropriate software. Before your business invests in mobile technology, talk with FileMaker consultants who can help you customize an application utilized for iPads, iPhones and iPod touches that can be used to streamline productivity.