Is Africa embracing the iPad as a true work device?

Keri Allan

28 days ago 0 Comments

A recent article on IT News Africa told an interesting story – that almost half of the iPads bought in Africa were purchased by employers for their workers to use.

There’s been a lot of talk about consumerisation of IT and how IT departments are learning how to manage the issue of staff bringing in and using their own equipment for work purposes, so I found it very interesting to see the idea flipped on its head and have companies buying such equipment for their workers.

This information comes from a recent IDG Connect survey, which shows that the iPad is being recognised as a useful work device in the region, with most iPad users turning to their iPad more for work purposes and communication rather than personal entertainment. It seems, in Africa at least, the iPad is replacing many laptops and almost half of the iPad users say it has replaced their mobile phone as they use mobile networks to connect to the Internet rather than Wi-Fi.

This can only be good news for the region, as according to IDC research, increased adoption and personal use of advanced technology is paying dividends for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) around the world as the consumerisation of IT continues to expand, especially in developing countries.

IDC found that SMBs in developing countries are much more likely to encourage the use of worker-owned technology, allowing employee smartphones, netbooks, and tablets to be connected to company networks to run a host of different business applications.

What are your thoughts on the idea of your employer providing you with a tablet for you to use at work? Do you think it will help your productivity and in what ways? Perhaps you are an employee within a company which has already done this? We’d love to hear what your thoughts are on consumerisation of IT and the idea of embracing the iPad as a true work device…

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