Thomson Reuters Survey on Tablet Device Adoption and Usage by Professionals

Baby boomers are leading the race to acquire tablet devices in NZ

• Professionals aged 50+ are four times more likely to own a tablet than those aged between 20-29
• Only 20% of Firms have a tablet strategy in place
• 48% of those who do not own a tablet plan to purchase one within the next 12 months

Thursday 10 May 2012, Wellington, New Zealand 
A new study by Thomson Reuters has revealed how professionals in New Zealand are adopting and using tablet devices. However, as there is little or no IT strategy in place to cope with the technology, there could be a raft of problems on the horizon.

Background

More than 540* professionals from a range of industries and positions were surveyed in April 2012. The purpose was to give Thomson Reuters an insight into adoption and usage of tablet devices as it begins to venture into the market with Proview^TM, a new eBook platform for professionals.

Key findings

1. Over 27% of those surveyed already owned a tablet device. 
2. Out of those currently without one, almost half intend to purchase one within the next year.
3. Early adopters of tablets are surprisingly Baby Boomers, making up 45% of tablet owners.
4.  In contrast, the tech savvy Generation Y trails with only 10% of respondents owning a tablet.

These results make more sense when you compare them to the job titles of respondents. Senior Management, Business Owners and Partners make up 38%. These people, most of whom fit the Baby Boomer demographic, have the authority to introduce tablets into the workplace as well as the disposable income to purchase them.

These results show a significant generational shift.

 Haydn Davies, Country Manager, Thomson Reuters New Zealand comments:

“In our experience it has been younger professionals who have been early adopter’s of new technology. We saw this in our move to providing online services. It is an interesting development to see our leading professionals embracing the use of tablets.”   

Gaps in IT strategy

Of those firms where tablets are currently used, 20% have an IT strategy in place covering their use. Only 22% of professionals recognise a compelling need to implement one within their firm. This leaves almost 60% of firms currently using tablets with no clear plan or strategy to address potential issues. This could leave them open and exposed to all sorts of risk.

Keeping up with the Jones or really useful?

When asked about the reasons for using a Tablet, 8% admitted it was a status symbol. However the majority (79%) say they use Tablets to work on the move, and 17% used them for reading eBooks.

Behind the times

Firms are lagging behind; not with the usage of mobile devices by their employees but in their understanding or engagement with it as a means to meet their customers.  44% have made no attempt to use it while 16% say they have no intention to. This is particularly interesting, considering this survey has established over 60% of professionals will own a tablet device in 12 months time.

“This survey reinforces the direction our company is heading in.” states Haydn Davies, “It is essential that we maintain pace with evolving technologies and how our customers are engaging with and using them.”

Download the PDF of full results shown as an Infographic to find out:

Where your industry sector is in the tablet adoption data.
Who is most likely to have a tablet?  What type of position do they hold?

Click the link to Download the PDF of Survey Results

To comment

To comment or give feedback on this article please use the reply form below.

To discuss the survey findings and their implications please contact:

Greg Currier,  Marketing Manager,  Thomson Reuters, Wellington  through our Customer Service number:  0800 10 60 60  

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

*Based on an online survey of 543 business professionals in New Zealand