The Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad may have been designed for consumers, but some very large enterprises are finding it quite useful. Mercedes-Benz, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and SAP are among the tablet computers' early corporate fans, reports Rachael King at BusinessWeek.

While Wells Fargo employees had to wait two years before the company allowed them to use the iPhone in the workplace, they had to wait only two weeks for clearance to use the iPad, King reports. More robust security safeguards are in place this time from the outset. Potential uses for the device among the bank's staff include approving wire transfers, presenting product demos, or accessing email.

Since the iPad's debut in April, numerous Apple rivals have heralded plans to sell similar devices. In June, Cisco announced that next year it will sell a tablet computer built for business use, complete with high-definition video conferencing functionality. Despite a software flaw on an AT&T (NYSE: T) website that allowed hackers to disclose thousands of iPad owners' email addresses, the device's popularity continues to soar.

For more:
- see Rachael King's article at BusinessWeek
- see how Mercedes is using the iPad (Video at BusinessWeek)

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