BB PlayBook - The Best Tablet Option For BYOD

According to a recent paper published by Context Information Security, the BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to be the best tablet option for the BYOD or Bring Your Own Device category.

This is certainly a good report from RIM’s perspective and can bring back BlackBerry in the top slot, first time after the euphoria surrounding BB devices being waned down as the higher versions of smartphones from Google and Apple captured the market.

The myriad benefits and disadvantages of three selected models - the iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab and PlayBook are published in the paper - ‘Tablets in the Enterprise’. According to the author of the report, Jonathan Roach, the Galaxy Tab device was selected for carrying out analysis as it was hugely popular amongst the consumers and also represents Android based handsets in better way.

Afterwards though, things turned sour for Galaxy Tab when the report found out that the device carried serious security drawbacks due to which it cannot be recommended for enterprise use. Since the device lacks the necessary enterprise-level tools of management, it was not possible to manage large number of handsets effectively.

According to reports, the only device that offers workable solution to overcome BYOD problem is the PlayBook. As a good architect, it easily separates work and personal data. Context has stated in its executive summary, written in accordance to the security of enterprise level, that each of the analyzed tablets had major differences in levels of security.

The report states that iPad that has been known as the predominant device of domestic consumers as it carries good security level, but the jailbreaks proliferation and the easy possibility of hacking of weak passwords put it under negative shade.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab has been given the ‘can be better’ grade in the report due to presence of unlocked boot loader and default disabled encryption of disk. The report surmised that Samsung still needs to work on its security levels if it wants to confront RIM and Apple.

Context has concluded that PlayBook is the best device in terms of offering security solutions and is the most advanced device till date that offers increased readiness level for BOYD.

Are Tablets For The Future?

The common question that is making rounds is whether tablets are the future representative of enterprising mobility. Partnerpedia’s John Hanay had stated in August that the obvious choice of future is tablet computing but this can lead to the end of BOYD. He said that since tablets offer extremely lightweight option for content creation, it is the best option for content consumption. And it is not going to be difficult for business owners to handover tablets to their employees considering the price difference between a lappy and a tablet.

This is where the elimination of BYOD is hidden. It is expected that the businesses will adopt tablets as the computing medium for their employees and the BYOD will be relegated only to the equipment issued by the company.
But is this a good news for RIM or may be time is not yet ripe to say that tablet is to become an integral part of an enterprise space.