Companies looking to tablets for greater productivity

While tablet computers continue to be all the rage for consumers, large companies are deploying the devices for greater productivity for their employees. Cisco, the world's largest maker of infrastructure equipment, recently announced a new product to allow corporate IT managers to develop customized applications designed specifically for their own companies.

The new AppHQ is designed for the Android-powered Cius tablet, which is scheduled to be released in July. According to Cisco's senior director of product management for the Cius, the tablet will also offer desktop computer capabilities and videoconferencing.

"I can't argue with the success of the iPad," Puorro said. "It's a great consumer product, but most people who bring tablets to work use them for email and watching movies. We thought a device should do more."

Earlier this year, research firm Gartner projected worldwide IT spending will increase by 5.6 percent and reach $3.6 trillion in 2011, due to the adoption of tablets. The firm recently announced it was increasing its expectations to 7.1 percent, as a result of increased computer hardware, software and telecommunications spending.