A Tale About Tablets
At the risk of dating myself, I need to disclose that I've been interested in the tablet category for close to 10 years now. I wrote extensively about it while I was reporting for this paper in Silicon Valley from 1990 to 1995. I was fascinated by the long-gone Go Corp., and I'm probably one of the only people who remembers when Compaq Computer quietly bought the failing Slate's software assets.
So, I've always been a fan of the concept, if not the actual implementations. That's about to change.
Tablet computers are finding serious traction in the medical and health-care verticals, due largely to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They've also gotten a boost from companies such as ViewSonic, which has pushed the envelope when it comes to price. While many tablets go for $3,000 and up, the ViewPad 1000 is closer to $2,000. Since many potential customers view tablets as notebook alternatives, the quicker any price delta can be narrowed, the better.
Of course, there are downsides, as with any emerging technology. For one, resellers report that many existing tablets still must be sent off to manufacturers' depots for repairs. Critics are always willing to whine about poor handwriting recognition, and support for productivity applications is limited,something that should be alleviated by Microsoft's delivery later this year of tablet extensions to Windows XP.
Indeed, Microsoft and OEMs such as Compaq are hoping that release will boost the tablet's appeal among enterprise users, those who want to be able to roam their corporate campus, take notes in conference rooms and share presentations,all the while maintaining a wireless connection to the network.
I believe they're right. I believe even more strongly that this is one of the most underexploited opportunities for SMB resellers in existence today, especially anyone in the following verticals: health care, insurance, inventory management and building management. Sound like your customers? Then you might want to give the new generation of tablets a serious workout in your lab.
How mighty do you think the pen will be? E-mail HEATHER CLANCY at [email protected].