Can you run a small business from a tablet?

Is it really possible to run a business from a tablet? Here, we investigate.

While it is tempting to buy into the notion that we are consumed by technology as a society, many of us struggle with the level of dependence that we have on mobile and desktop devices. After all, all of us at some point have questioned the amount of time that we spend on our phone or tablet, while I for one have often considered deleting my Facebook account for a multitude of reasons.

Although it is only right that we adopt a reflective approach when considering our relationship with technology, there is no doubt that in general terms it has delivered huge benefits in our personal and professional lives. There are even some individuals who run and manage their entire business operation through a tablet device, although others who will question how exactly this is possible.

Tablets are arguably the most underrated of all technological devices, combining the ultimate portability of smartphones with the processing power and high-resolution displays of laptops. These devices are also the fastest growing in terms of popularity and the revenues that they are able to generate, particularly within the online gaming sector. While tablets generated 3.51 billion Euros in gaming revenue during 2014, for example, this is expected to increase to 8.18 billion Euros by the end of 2018.

Of course, this figure has been helped by the rise of dedicated and streamlined gaming tablets such as the Nvidia Shield. When it comes to multi-purpose tablets, however, these devices also offer an incredible diversity of use and have become particularly commonplace among professional users.

While this may be all well and good, is it really possible to run a business from a tablet? The simple answer is yes, although this obviously depends on the scope and magnitude of the business in question and its nature. There is no doubt that a small business-owner can manage the majority of his workload from a tablet interface, so long as they augment their internal RAM with remote storage available through Cloud-based options such as DropBox. By also integrating communication apps such as Skype, as this creates wireless connectivity that can help you to host everything from video conferences to virtual meetings.

To many, tablets are something to be used when enjoying casual gaming or like to opt free bingo. They also have immense professional capabilities, however, while their blend or portability and purpose makes them unique even in a rich and diverse technological world.

Large businesses and corporations must proceed with caution, however, as the sheer level of data and sensitive consumer (not to mention employee) data that they deal with may require more robust technology and storage solutions. Running a large business from a tablet would also consumer a great deal of data and memory, so this may not be entirely suitable. While this does not mean that more ambitious entrepreneurs cannot use tablets, they may need to utilise additional hardware if they are to be successful.

Ben Lobel

Ben Lobel

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

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