Where tablet PCs are being used

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: KEITH SHAW ON WIRELESS COMPUTING
DEVICES
08/04/05
Today's focus: Where tablet PCs are being used

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Highlighting tablet usage in healthcare
* Links related to Wireless Computing Devices
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Where tablet PCs are being used

By Keith Shaw

A recent report by In-Stat suggests mixed blessings for the
Microsoft Tablet PC market, which is near its third anniversary.
Shipments have increased, the research firm says, yet the
numbers don't reach the "lofty heights that some backers
predicted upon launch."

(Deep within the bowels of the Network World Web site, I dug up
a review of some of the tablets I tried in early 2004:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4405>. While I didn't
comment about the Microsoft Tablet PC launch, I have felt the
types of applications available for tablets - rather than
hardware - will make or break the platform.)

In-Stat says the market for tablets will rise from $1.2 billion
in 2004 to $5.4 billion by 2009. The firm argues that horizontal
corporate markets will impact this as average selling prices
fall below the $2,000 mark. Of course, to hedge its bet In-Stat
says that vertical markets (healthcare, real estate, insurance,
sales force automation) continue to be the driving factor in
tablet shipments. In addition, the research firm says the
availability of an integrated Tablet PC operating system in the
new Microsoft Windows Vista (formerly known as Longhorn), as
well as the Microsoft Ultra Mobile 2007 portable PC form factor,
could have a major impact on future Tablet PC shipments.

The In-Stat report is all wrapped up in a $2,500 package at its
Web site
<http://www.in-stat.com/press.asp?ID=1413&sku=IN0501830ID>.

All this talk about tablets reminded me that in a newsletter
several weeks ago <http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4406> I
had asked readers to send in tales of how they were using
tablets in their workplace. I got several responses from the
highly intelligent readers of this newsletter, but I wanted to
specifically highlight this note from reader Chris K., about
tablets and other mobile devices within the healthcare vertical
market:

"I work for a healthcare IT consulting firm and lead their
healthcare provider organization... As in any organization, the
workflow of the unit or specific user greatly dictates the
appropriate type of device, and when it comes to healthcare, the
tablet PC has been slow to catch on. You pointed out in your
article that the vertical application - note taking or in
healthcare, bedside charting - has garnered the most momentum.
This is certainly accurate with our experience, but the more
common device is usually a computer on wheels when it comes to
the nursing staff, and for the physicians a PDA or mini-computer
(Fujitsu LifeBook, OQO device, etc).

"There are a number or other clinicians within the typical
healthcare organization, such as the phlebotomists who go around
to patient rooms to take blood samples for the lab... In these
cases, we have seen the Tablet PC in use because [the
clinicians] are often traversing the stairwells and they can't
roll the computer cart down the stairs and a PDA will not meet
their form factor requirements.

"The end result is that there are some ancillary services within
the healthcare industry where the Tablet PC has a great fit, but
the majority of the end-users (nursing and doctors) have not
adopted the technology because it doesn't fit within their
workflow. Vendors are becoming more aware of the end-user
ergonomic requirements by developing proper cases, hand straps,
lighter weight and hard drive protection in the event of the
Tablet being dropped.

"In my opinion, Fujitsu and Motion Computing are doing a
tremendous job with their vertical healthcare focus and will
soon (within the next 12 to 18 months) have the device, medical
library apps, handwriting recognition, and ergonomics to
increase the tablet adoption within healthcare."

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Leaked Cisco slides pulled after legal threats
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4407>

2. Gartner: Bank card fraud too easy for phishers
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4408>

3. BellSouth cuts DSL pricing
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4409>

4. Cisco vulnerability posted to Internet
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4410>

5. Google now a hacker's tool
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile4411>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Keith Shaw

Keith Shaw is Senior Editor, Product Testing, at Network World.
In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html> "
column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile
computing devices.

You can reach Keith at <mailto:kshaw@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Ciena
NetworkWorld Special Report - The Adaptive WAN: The factors
driving WAN evolution

A combination of business and technology trends are changing the
demands on the enterprise WAN. This NetworkWorld Special Report
explores some of the key business and technology trends that are
driving and enabling the evolution of the enterprise WAN and how
the enterprise WAN can become adaptive to support these trends.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109235
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Wireless Computing Devices newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/mobile/index.html

Keith Shaw's Cool Tools:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html
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