Businesses will purchase more than 25 percent of all tablet computers in 2011, a figure that is likely to increase in 2012 and beyond, according to recent analyses.

Approximately 17 million tablet computers were sold in 2010, according to Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates. In its semi-annual industry forecast, the CEA forecasts tablet computer sales will double in 2011 to around 30 million units. Technology research firm Gartner is more optimistic, projecting worldwide media tablet sales to increase 181 percent to 54.8 million units in 2011, and to surpass 208 million units in 2014.

It’s no wonder, then, that tablets dominated headlines at the Consumer Electronics Show at the start of the year, with manufacturers unveiling an array of tablet offerings.

“The big story in [consumer electronics] in 2010 was the sudden infiltration of tablets into the mainstream, which will continue well into the New Year,” Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis, said in a statement. “In 2011, the industry foresees additional sales growth allowing CE revenues to achieve a new sales summit.”

According to a recent report from Deloitte, more than 25 percent of all tablet computers will be bought by enterprises in 2011, and the portion is likely to increase in 2012 and beyond.

“Although some commentators view tablets as underpowered media-consumption toys suitable only for consumers, more than 10 million of these devices will likely be purchased by enterprises in 2011,” Deloitte said in its Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions 2011 report. “Consumer demand for tablets is expected to remain strong; however, enterprise demand is likely to grow even faster, although from a lower base.”

As Deloitte sees it, four key factors are driving tablet adoption in the enterprise market:

1. Employees are asking their employers to support tablets for various tasks, including accessing the enterprise network. Some workers who use their tablets predominantly for their job are also asking their employers to cover the cost of their data plans or even the cost of the device itself. By the end of 2011, it appears a significant number of firms may be willing to pay for their employees’ tablets and data plans. By some estimates, up to 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies will support at least one tablet variant for some portion of their workforce.
2. Certain industry verticals seem poised to begin using tablets in large numbers over the course of the year. In fact, trials are already underway. The retail, manufacturing and health care industries are considered the most likely early adopters, primarily due to “the tablet’s ease of use, long battery life, lack of moving parts, minimal need for training and rapid app development environment.” Deloitte estimates that up to 5 million tablets could be deployed in retail and health care fields this year.
3. Enterprise software providers are quickly responding to Fortune 500 customer requests for tablet-specific software. Large players in ERP, CRM and other enterprise applications are combining with desktop virtualization providers to create secure enterprise-grade apps that can seamlessly and rapidly be deployed into even the largest company’s existing IT environment. Enterprise software providers are also embracing the new technology themselves, with one company rolling out tablets to 35 percent of its employees in 2011.
4. The tablet’s form itself is also driving adoption in the boardroom. Unlike laptops and smart phones, both of which create an obvious physical barrier between the user and others in the room, a tablet can be placed flat on a conference table and accessed unobtrusively. “As it is much less intrusive in face-to-face environments than conventional notebooks, it is well-suited to a sales or information-sharing environment,” Gartner says. “It also makes electronic media consumption effortless and casual, thereby increasing consumption.”

“For an enterprise, a key challenge will be deciding whether to support multiple types of tablets or standardize on a single type,” Deloitte notes. “Employees often prefer to choose their own devices; however, IT support costs rise with device diversity. Balancing the IT department’s desire for a single, cost-effective solution against employees’ desire for freedom of choice will likely be just as challenging with tablets as it is with smart phones.”

Another major issue for enterprises is cost, especially in the slowly recovering economy. Enterprises, as well as tablet manufacturers, will need to weigh the various trade-offs carefully: “Do they need to have the largest possible screen?” Deloitte asks. “Is Wi-Fi good enough, or do they need a more expensive 3G radio — and the data plan that goes with it?”

Tell us what you think. Do you believe tablets will continue to make their way into the workplace? If so, will their proliferation affect how you do your job?

Resources

Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions 2011
by Paul Lee and Duncan Stewart
Deloitte LLP, January 2011

Deloitte Analysis of Top Technology Trends for 2011
Deloitte LLP, Jan. 20 2011

Consumer Tech Revenues Will Reach Record High in 2011…
Consumer Electronics Association, Jan. 6, 2011

…Worldwide Media Tablet Sales on Pace to Reach 19.5 Million Units in 2010
Gartner, Oct. 15, 2010

Are New Tablets Joining a Can’t-Win Game of Catch-Up?
by Dan Gallagher
MarketWatch, Jan. 7, 2011

2011 International CES Wows World With Innovation and Optimism
Consumer Electronics Association, Jan. 9, 2011

T-Mobile and LG Unveil Android Tablet
by Shayndi Rice
Digits (The Wall Street Journal), Jan. 5, 2011

Sprint Says 4G Tablet Coming In 2011, 80% of CIOs Want To Buy Tablets
by Elizabeth Woyke
Mobilized (Forbes), Dec. 9, 2010

IPad Poised to Revolutionize Retail Industry
by Natalie Zmuda
Ad Age, April 21, 2010

Best Business Apps for iPad
by Frank Völkel
SAP.info, May 7, 2010

SAP to Deploy Up to 17,000 iPads in 12 Months
by Eric Lai
ZDNet, Sept. 7, 2010

Gartner to CEOs: Seize the iPad Opportunity Now
Gartner, Nov. 4, 2010