Networking solution provider Cisco has joined the tablet bandwagon by launching Cius in India and is targeting the enterprises for the product.
Priced at about Rs 35,000 ($700), the tablet device (devices with PC-like functionalities) aims to provide productivity solutions like e-mails and business applications on the go to executives.
"Cius is not just another tablet. It has more to do with providing applications helping productivity in a secure environment," Cisco India and SAARC National Sales Manager (Unified Communications) Minhaj Zia said.
The device would be available at about Rs 35,000 in India and with the docking station, the price would be about Rs 50,000 ($1,000), he added.
The company will target its existing clients and users of its IP telephony services, the base of which is about 7,00,000 users in India.
"While there are new tabs being launched almost each day, we found that CIOs have expressed concerns about the security of corporate data on such devices when they are outside of the company. Cius, along with our Cisco AppHQ [app store] is designed to help companies work on the go, without worrying about the security aspect," he said.
The seven-inch touchscreen tablet works on Intel Atom Processor and comes with 1GB RAM (expandable memory up to 32GB), dual cameras (front and back) and 3G/4G and WiFi support.
Minhaj said Cisco is in discussions with various telecom operators for packages.
"The device comes integrated with collaborative applications like web conferencing, Cisco Jabber Instant Messaging, telepresence, email and calendar, which can help colleagues stay in touch with each other," Zia said.
Also, access to Cisco AppHQ and Android Marketplace will help companies choose secure mobile business-differentiated applications, controlling costs, he added.
Asked about the potential size of the enterprise tablet market in India, he said though no studies have been conducted so far, companies are looking at tablets and smart phones as an important connectivity tool for their workforce.
Its only competitor in the segment, at present, may be Avaya's Flare, which is a 11.6-inch tablet.
The Indian market is flooded with tablets from companies like Apple, Samsung, HTC, Research In Motion and many others. The prices vary between Rs 5,000 and Rs 32,000.
According to analysts, sales in the tablet PC segment in India are expected to touch 1 million units over the next 12 months.
