Vast Majority of Businesses Would Support Personal iPads, Survey Finds

An informal survey by server and desktop virtualization specialist Citrix Systems found an overwhelming majority of businesses would support the adoption of Apple’s iPad, which has moved 2 million units since its debut in April. The preliminary results of the survey were posted by the company’s vice president of community and solutions development Chris Fleck, found 80 percent of the 494 respondents said they would purchase and use the iPad for business.

Additional points from the findings show while 84 percent of organizations will support personal iPads, 50 percent expect their organization to purchase the device for them. The survey found respondents said the largest benefits, according to the study thus far, include the mobility to work remotely without interruption, which leads to an improvement in worker productivity. “This device will provide the leading example of how IT can keep control of the data, apps and compliance yet enable their users to maximize their choice and productivity from anywhere,” Flick wrote. 

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In a Citrix blog posting, Fleck noted respondents’ support for the use of personal iPads for work would open the door for more bring your own computer (BYOC) programs, a phenomenon Fleck said Citrix already sees growing rapidly in 2010. “The high levels of adoption of the mobile device illustrates the confidence IT has that they can provide secure, safe access to company data and virtual desktops,” he wrote. “The fact that IT can safely provide access to company apps, data and virtual desktops without managing the device will make the iPad a game changer for business beyond just the form factor and features.”

To date, the survey found 90 percent of respondents would use the iPad for business email, followed by the ability to view, edit and create presentations. Nearly 60 percent of respondents indicated that they would use iPad for online meetings and to access critical business information. Respondents said the largest benefits included increased mobility to work remotely, at home, or anywhere (90 percent), while 74 percent of current respondents indicated improved productivity and satisfaction.

Citrix currently offers two applications for the iPad: Receiver for iPad, which gives owners access to Windows Apps and Desktops to Go by providing secure access to their Windows business applications and documents, and Citrix GoToMeeting for iPad, which allows iPad owners to access Online Meetings to Go in order to collaborate from anywhere via online meetings.