CEOs urged to seize iPad opportunity

Chief executives (CEOs) have been told they should seriously consider the potential benefits the Apple iPad could bring to their businesses.

IT departments should at least enable iPad support for just a number of key workers, unless there is evidence to prove it would not be worthwhile, according to Gartner.

Firms should also prepare a plan for more widespread iPad implementation for a mid-2011 deployment, the analyst firm advised.

“It is not usually the role of the CEO to get directly involved in specific technology device decisions, but Apple's iPad is an exception,” said Stephen Prentice, Gartner fellow and vice president.

“It is more than just the latest consumer gadget; and CEOs and business leaders should initiate a dialogue with their CIOs about [it] if they have not already done so.”

Gartner said the iPad is currently way ahead of competitors in terms of market share and the “iconic” device has the potential to be massively disruptive to the business models and markets of numerous enterprises.

“While some IT departments will say they are a ‘Windows shop’, and Apple does not support the enterprise, organisations need to recognise that there are soft benefits in a device of this type in the quest to improve recruitment and retention,” Prentice added.

“Technology is not always about productivity.”

Gartner encouraged CEOs to determine whether iPad deployment would be of benefit sooner rather than later.

“Even if you think it is just a passing fad, the cost of early action is low, while the price of delay may well be extremely high,” Prentice said.

This article originally appeared at itpro.co.uk