The Future of the iPad: Business Use Will Overtake Personal Use

On the most recent Apple (AAPL) earnings call, a lot of the focus on iPad sales was through channel partners, including shoutouts to stellar channel performers including IBM, Box, DocuSign, MicroStrategy and the company I now work for, Revel Systems.

The iPad is 5 years old and is still the number one tablet on the market, however a shift is happening that is turning the iPad into a more business-centric tool (Enterprise, SMB, Healthcare, Education, etc.) from a consumer-using device. Just take a look at Apple’s new iPad webpage and you can see that a lot of focus is on apps “that transform the way we get work done.”

77% of Enterprise corporate buyers planning to buy tablets in next 6 months, plan to purchase iPads.” ChangeWave Survey, 2015

The New Personal Technology Stack

As with the BYOD (bring your own device) movement over a half-decade ago (spurred by the iPhone’s entrance into the smartphone market), Apple again is changing our personal technology stack with the following recent changes to their lineup:

1. A bigger smartphone
2. A wearable on your wrist
3. A thinner, more portable and futuristic laptop

When Apple finally conceded in giving customers a larger iPhone in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, we got the first glimpse into Apple consciously cannibalizing consumer sales of the iPad. I personally pick up my iPad Air a lot less since carrying around an iPhone 6 Plus and don’t plan on replacing my iPad any time soon.

The next combo came when Apple introduced both the Apple Watch and the new sleek MacBook earlier this year. First, wearables, at least with Apple’s view on it, will be a companion to the smartphone and a much more personalized device that offers both convenience and insightful data tracking to help us make better decisions throughout the day. It will eventually replace the iPad as the personal partner to the iPhone because of it's reliance on it. The iPad acts too independent of the iPhone at the consumer level.

With the new MacBook, the future of the personal computer will be toting around a super-thin, very lightweight and (almost) completely wireless laptop that provides the full functionality we seek in a computer, but portability of a tablet. 

In both cases, it’s still very early days before we realize the full potential of both devices. However, Apple is betting heavily that, at least for the next few years, these 3 devices will be at the heart of our personal consumer tech lives.

The Shift to a More Business-Functional iPad

Last year, Tim Cook made the move to partner with IBM, whereby IBM’s sales force could begin selling iPad hardware and the company could start creating custom enterprise apps for their clients. This was a definitive move to put more iPads in the hands of enterprise customers and start showcasing the power that the iPad has in a business environment. Even Apple’s television spots have become more business-centric over the past couple of years.

In addition to the formal announcements, there have been many informal hints at a larger iPad "Pro" in the works.

iPads are Improving Businesses Already

One of the fastest growing sectors in the iPad for business adoption race is in the restaurant/retail space. From small coffee shops to large multi-unit retailers, iPads are being deployed with dramatic and positive effect.

We’re bringing an enhanced experience and a sense of choice to the consumer while offering unparalleled hospitality — and iPad is central in accomplishing that."  Nancy Schneid, Cofounder, Carmel Café & Wine Bar

At Revel Systems, we are leading the way with implementing iPad hardware and award-winning apps as a replacement to the restaurant or retailer's point-of-sale, display and back end systems. Many forward-leaning CIOs and IT Directors are heralding this transition as “the future of POS.”

The iPad as the New Cash Register

There are several reasons why restaurant chains and retailers want to replace their dated, legacy point of sale systems.

For one, less hardware is needed. Executives recognize both the cost and space savings of not having to install bulky terminals and additional servers. Other business owners simply adore the sleeker, more futuristic design aspect of having iPads on their counters. 

Secondly, the move away from legacy POS systems is more secure. Going away from a Windows based system that is prone to malicious malware to the iPad POS solution was a large reason why Smoothie King chose Revel Systems to install Revel’s iPad based POS at all 700 of their locations. In a time of increased data breaches and the impending EMV transition, the iPad as a point-of-sale solution makes more sense today than ever.

A gating factor for the choice [to use Revel] was the iPad’s overall security” John Lapeyrouse, VP of IT for Smoothie King

A third reason is the ease of adoption and shorter learning curve by employees. iOS software (even if you’re an Android user) is intuitive and simple to use. This has a meaningful impact to training new employees, especially as more millennials enter the restaurant and retail workplace. For instance, on average, new employees can learn how to use Revel’s iPad based POS in less than 20 minutes. The positive impact this could have on ramping up new employees and limiting the resources needed for NSOs (new store openings) is significant.

Finally, the iPad (and its software) is more scalable as your brand grows. One of the most costly and limiting factors with legacy POS systems is that they are not “future-proof.” In other words, as more technologies, particularly SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) products (think loyalty, online ordering, mobile payments, beacons and more), are rolled out, the antiquation of a legacy system becomes quickly apparent. This is because as a company, you need to pay for expensive integrations or you have to replace your hardware and software. These costs add up quickly, and at some point, become untenable as more new best-of-breed services become available (and necessary).

You may also enjoy reading: Top 5 Tips to Grow Your Restaurant Business with an iPad POS

 I am on the Enterprise team with award-winning San Francisco based Revel Systems iPad POS, a select Apple channel partner. I advise clients to implement a best-of-breed technology stack that will make a positive impact to their enterprise. Follow me on Twitter @BrandonTechExec and read more about Revel news here. #RevelUp