Tablets proving invaluable to businesses, report says

The current generation of tablet computers has been around for less than two years, but already businesses are finding the mobile devices integral to their daily operations.

From lawyers to insurance and real estate agents, according to the Dayton Business Journal, tablets are finding a home in many industries. Primarily, businesses are using tablets to allow employees to work remotely, making operations run faster and more easily.

The news provider cites one law firm that has gone completely mobile thanks, in part, to tablet computers. By providing all lawyers with tablets, the law firm is able to operate without a central location, allowing employees to work from home or on the road.

Tablet computers are not restricted to those in office settings, however. Increasingly, service industry businesses, like restaurants and retailers, are using tablets to improve efficiency and enhance the customer experience. A restaurant, for example, may offer tablet-based menus that can send information directly to the wait or cooking staff to ensure orders are made accurately.

An April 2011 study conducted by the Business Journals finds that 9 percent of business owners use tablets. As companies become more familiar with the technology, that number could grow quickly in the near future.