Date: 10/06/2010

ABI Research: Ultra mobile devices adoption rate of 55% per year

ABI Research forecasts worldwide UMD adoption averaging 55% per year as businesses find many uses for ultra-mobile devices (UMD), a category which includes netbooks, smartbooks and mobile Internet devices (MIDs).

Enterprise practice director Dan Shey comments: "Differing from smartphones and laptops, ultra-mobile devices offer a few highly desired feature and application capabilities in tablet and clamshell form factors. Businesses will be attracted to these devices for the same reasons as consumers - their larger screens, LAN and WWAN connectivity, and most importantly, low cost."

Many enterprise suppliers are preparing to make business out of UMD products like iPad. ABI says that the UMDs are not necessarily "business ready." The smartbook device concept does not offer x86 processor architectures and is almost entirely without the Windows OS. UMDs add even more support and control complexity for IT managers currently trying to manage an expanding base of smartphone platforms. Currently, little attention has been given to ruggedization, which will limit their usefulness in more austere environments. And in many emerging markets, 3G connectivity is not prevalent.

Shey adds, "'Business-ready' is a relative term. The web browser will be sufficient for some business use cases. Encapsulating, protective shells may provide sufficient ruggedization for tablet form factors. Some businesses will value low price and limited functionality more than highly functional 'heavy OS' devices. Ultimately, UMD adoption will be driven by a greater availability of business applications, and platforms and services that ease device management and support and enhance data security."

The ABI Research report "Enterprise Netbooks, Smartbooks and MIDs" defines the characteristics of UMDs and how they differ from laptops, UMPCs and smartphones. Based on their inherent features it examines the drivers and inhibitors for enterprise adoption. These include their relevance, and use-cases in particular occupations and verticals, as well as their interactions with handsets and laptops. Forecasts include shipments and installed base by region for each device platform by size of business, and selected vertical segments.

For more information visit: www.abiresearch.com