The benefits of tablet computers in the enterprise are well-known--greater mobility, quick boot-up, touch-screen interface, cool graphics, apps galore. While the security challenges are also widely known, there are other risks that also need to be considered, reports Shane O'Neill at CIO magazine.

Budgeting for laptops can create a challenge unto itself. The refresh cycle resembles that of a smartphone rather than a desktop computer, and the expense can come as a shock. Rather than giving a tablet to every worker who wants one, it makes sense to find out who really needs one, recommends Crawford Del Prete, chief research officer and executive vice president at IDC. Those who spend most of their time at a desk and generate content probably should stick with a PC, while those who spend a lot of time on the road can probably benefit from a tablet.

The security challenge involves finding the right balance between controlling the devices and giving users the flexibility they want, says Nick McQuire, research director at IDC. Without limiting rapid boot-up and access to apps, organizations can establish regular security safeguards, such as mobile device management, encryption and password enforcement.

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche gave 8,000 iPads to sales representatives over the summer, and it plans to hand out another 4,000, O'Neill reports. So far, sales reps haven't complained about missing their old notebooks, and the tablets are making them more efficient at their jobs. "They have 15 minutes with a doctor and they have to make the most it," says Marc Wiest, project manager for  Group Informatics at Roche. "The iPad boots up instantly, the apps are immediately accessible and the graphics are outstanding."

The security risks of tablets do exacerbate compliance and governance challenges, however, particularly for regulated firms.

For more:
- see Shane O'Neill's article at CIO

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