Tablet computer adoption amongst small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) has been skyrocketing in recent months as devices become more affordable and accessible, and smaller businesses have realised they can use them to work remotely with the help of hosted services and remote applications.

Apple's iPad gave the tablet industry a serious kick start upon its release and has more or less cornered the tablet computer market thus far. Software providers have acknowledged this, with virtualisation providers developing clients for the iPad in order for businesses to access data and applications remotely through their tablets.

"Mobile workers are relying on multiple devices to get business done, from their traditional computer to their smart phone and, increasingly, their tablet," Intermedia chief marketing officer Manlio Carrelli said.

"These workers expect their business email, contacts, calendars and files to be available and synced up across all their devices - and to be able to use whichever brand and type of device they prefer," he said. "This can be a resource challenge for small and mid-sized businesses to set up, secure and manage on their own."

The company used its data on hosted exchange email subscribers to identify the uptake of devices as well, confirming that California-based Apple Inc currently has the market for portable devices cornered.

The firm found that over three quarters of those activating synced email accounts were doing so for Apple iOS devices, with 57 per cent choosing the iPhone and 21 per cent the iPad.

The next runners up for mobile devices were Motorola and HTC, with 9 and 8 per cent respectively.

Written by Jason Morton

SMBs snap up tablets for hosted services