The Use of Computers Nowadays - Report Example

? Section/# A Review and Analysis of Business Adaptation with Regards to Tablet PCs Table of Contents Introduction Productivity Concerns Accessibility Concerns Compatibility Concerns Security Concerns Conclusion Bibliography Introduction: It is without question that the use of computers fundamentally shifted the way in which humans interact with one another and manner through which information is retrieved. Up until the past several years, the use of computers has been almost entirely concentric upon desktop and laptop PCs. Although it is true that servers and mainframe computers are able to synthesize and present cremation to localized networks and stream information by the World Wide Web, the use and application of such devices within the professional environment is limited; at least as compared to the personal computers that have already been referenced. By means of comparison, it must also be understood that even though personal computing has taken on a life all its own throughout the past several decades, the uniformity of computing has not yet existed. This is of course due to the fact that rapid shifts in technology, growth in hardware, software, and the development of faster processors and lighter weight computing devices have slowly shifted the market away from tethered desktops and PCs towards the era of mobile computing. As a direct result of this shift, tablet computers, to include a litany of different manufacturers and operating systems, have begun to define the way in which personal computing and professional applications are run. As with any trend, the rate and extent to which businesses can integrate with the recent shifts in tablet use and employees with regards to business operations will have a direct effect with regards to the growth and relevance of whatever firm or entity pursue such a path. Accordingly, the following analysis will engage the reader with an understanding of analyzing the benefits and risks of deploying tablet computers within organizations; specifically focusing upon issues related to productivity, accessibility, and compatibility. Is the further hope of this author that such a level of understanding will provide a more broad and nuanced level of appreciation for the way in which mobile computing is slowly but surely changing the face of the world with regards to the way in which business is conducted. Although no specific business will be held as a test case, the broad rationale for this is with regards to the fact that focusing upon any special business would necessarily reduce the applicability of the analysis with regards to any other firms might seek to utilize this information. Productivity Concerns: Firstly, it must be understood that the benefits of deploying tablet computers within organizations is necessarily the added benefit of providing rapidly accessible information to the stakeholders in question (Baltzer, 2013). Even though it has thus far been determined that no specific industry will be analyzed, whether or not a given organization is performing a service industry or directly integrating products with the consumer, the ability to rapidly engage with information and presented, either in a sales or service type format, has a direct level of bearing with regards to the relevance and power of engagement that a given firm could display (Lowry, 2009). Rather than necessitated placing an individual in a queue while the customer service representative more stakeholder retrieves the information, the use of tablet computing would allow more rapid integration with this individual; thereby increasing representative would be able to handle a higher volume of inquiries and information on a daily basis (Choi et al., 2013). This of course has a direct level connotation with regards the overall volume of business and can be conducted in the overall level of profitability that the firm can seek to accrue during the course of normal business day. Accessibility Concerns: Further issue with regards to the measurement that has been presented within the introduction of this brief analysis is with respect to the way in which computing integrates with accessibility (Tsai et al., 2013). No matter the complexity of the computer hardware, regardless of the level of data that it is capable of representing, a key concern that has always been relevant is with regards to the overall accessibility that such a tool is able to engender. Ultimately, even though it is without question that stakeholders within society are currently exhibiting a higher and higher level of familiarity and comfort with technology, there is still a learning curve that exists with regards to any particular operating system and/or any particular way of performing business (Shah, 2013). From a utility and efficiency standpoint, a firm is uniquely interested in minimizing the learning curve and maximizing the level of information that can be presented to the consumer. Within such a level of understanding, mobile computing, specifically tablet PCs offer a unique benefit as compared to their desktop or laptop counterparts (Paul, 2013). This is ultimately due to the fact that the ease of user interface is almost invariably simpler as compared to the interface that exists on a traditional PC (Eddy, 2013). This means of user interface once again impacts positively upon the level of efficiency and learning curve that any individual stakeholder within an organization might necessarily experience hoping to engage with such a new technology or a new means of representing key facts, statistics, or figures to an interested consumers/client. Security Concerns: Finally, even though the two aspects of measurement that is thus far been listed within this analysis are relevant and important for discussion, the ultimate compatibility of tablet PCs within the business world is an issue that is perhaps the most important of all of the ones that will be discussed (Kan, 2013). Ultimately, even though Tablet PCs have become more and more common within the current environment, they are nonetheless operating alongside and in tandem with traditional PCs. As such, one of the major drawbacks that Tablet PCs face is with regards to the fact that versions of Android, Apple, Windows, or any other variety of different operating systems often do not communicate well with the mainframe or system administration tools of a particular entity (KOTHANETH et al., 2012). Figure 1.0 below aptly illustrates the overall representation of the tablet PC market as it currently exists in terms of overall sales. Figure 1.0 Although it is true that this problem has recently been ameliorated a great deal due to the fact that support and direct communication between base and tablet PC has been affected wirelessly throughout the different native platforms, there continues to be issues with regards the way in which tablet PCs communicate with their counterpart computers within the business environment. Security Concerns: However, outside of the three main categories that is thus far been discussed, it is also relevant to analyze and discuss the manner through which data security is engendered via the use of tablet computing. A litany of different studies of the past several years have indicated that Tablet PCs are at an increased risk for heart attacks as compared to their desktop or laptop counterparts (Newman, 2013). The underlying reason for this has to do with the simplicity of the programming that is involved with regards to the operating systems that are traditionally run by Tablet PCs. The simplicity of this programming is predicated upon the fact that the system resources that a Tablet PC past role upon our ultimately far less than those system resources that a laptop or desktop computer would have to draw upon. As such, a simplicity in coding and the relevant dangers of hacking that this entails is something that severely diminishes the safety of the information that is conducted via a Tablet PC (Asay, 2011). However, it must not be understood that the vulnerability and risk of hacking with regards to a Tablet PC is predicated solely upon the software that utilizes (Obeto, 2011). Rather, an added risk with regards to viruses, an overall lack of antivirus software, and other vulnerabilities that Tablet PCs in gender is something that is thus far encouraged businesses that deal and highly sensitive war trade secret information to steer far clear of this particular resource (Dvorak, 2013). However, even with respect to the fact that a Tablet PC necessarily engenders this risk, this factor in and of itself should not be enough to encourage a particular business not to utilize the technology whatsoever. Conclusion: From the information that is thus far been engaged, a litany of pros and cons exist with regards to the scope and level to which Tablet PCs should be engaged in the business world. However, even though there is a certain level of drawbacks that had been considered thus far in the analysis, it is the overarching understanding of this particular author that tablet computing is the wave of the future. As such, merely choosing to ignore it due to the fact that it has certain shortcomings is somewhat akin to the way in which many firms chose to ignore personal computing due to the fact that it seemed at that time as an irrelevant fad. Of all the information that is been presented, it is the further belief of this particular author that the most salient information is with respect to the fact that tablet computing allows the stakeholder/employee to rapidly integrate with the needs of the consumer; having direct access to the information that a consumer/client may have ultimately has a direct correlation with regards to the profitability and efficiency of the given business entity. Bibliography Asay, M 2011, 'Is a tablet a PC?: Revolution, not evolution', Network World, 28, 19, pp. 21-22, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Baltzer, C 2013, 'Tablet PC und flexible Arbeitszeit. (German)', Versicherungswirtschaft, 16, p. 0049, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Choi, J, Shin, J, & Lee, J 2013, 'Strategic demand forecasts for the tablet PC market using the Bayesian mixed logit model and market share simulations', Behaviour & Information Technology, 32, 11, pp. 1177-1190, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. DVORAK, JC 2013, 'Life in the Post-PC Era', PC Magazine, pp. 138-139, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Eddy, N 2013, 'Tablet Shipments to Surpass Portable PC Shipments in 2013: IDC', Eweek, p. 7, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Kan, M 2013, 'Taiwan's PC makers focus on low-end tablets in search of growth', Cio (13284045), p. 33, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. KOTHANETH, S, ROBINSON, A, & AMELINK, C 2012, 'Tablet PC Support of Students' Learning Styles', Journal Of Systemics, Cybernetics & Informatics, 10, 6, pp. 60-63, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Lowry, PP 2009, 'Online Instructional Design Approaches Utilizing a Tablet PC', International Journal Of Advanced Corporate Learning, 2, 4, pp. 21-24, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. NEWMAN, J 2013, 'Design Innovation: The PC's Salvation?', PC World, 31, 7, pp. 13-14, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Obeto, J 2011, 'Is a tablet a PC?: Just a new form factor', Network World, 28, 19, pp. 21-22, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. PAUL, I 2013, 'Lenovo's surging mobile sales shouldn't freak out PC faithful', PC World, 31, 10, pp. 24-25, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Shah, A 2013, 'IDC: PC shipments to decrease in 2013', Cio (13284045), p. 30, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Tsai, B, Hsu, C, & Balachandran, B 2013, 'Modeling Competition Between Mobile and Desktop Personal Computer LCD Panels Based on Segment Reporting Sales Information', Journal Of Accounting, Auditing & Finance, 28, 3, pp. 273-291, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 December 2013. Read More