iPad, Mac getting deep footprint at work

Nearly a quarter of IT managers are already using iPads, ITIC found in a study of the segment. As many as 23 percent already own Apple's tablet, and 18 percent plan to buy one within the year. While it didn't equate to handing iPads to employees, the news suggested the device would have a "spillover effect" with business as those controlling deployment for it and other Apple hardware knew what it could do for personal use.

About 82 percent of companies were going to "increase integration" with iOS devices like the iPad and iPhone to make sure they could get corporate e-mail and apps. About 24 percent, who didn't have an iPhone, were either switching or planned to switch; another 35 percent planned to switch when their contracts expired.

Mac use was also slated to be up significantly. Of the managers, 79 percent were more likely to allow Macs for enterprise-level desktops versus 68 percent for last year's study. The existing footprint was also already getting larger: just two percent had said there were more than 250 Macs in their companies in 2008, but that number has more than tripled to seven percent in 2010.

The effect may not have a severe impact on the enterprise so far, where Microsoft Windows PCs and RIM's BlackBerries are still the predominant solutions in the US, but may curb BlackBerry sales and slow Microsoft's hopes for moving more businesses to Windows 7. The company acknowledged itself that 74 percent of firms still use Windows XP and that many companies are reluctant to jump to the new OS as it would already break compatibility.

By Electronista Staff