At the beginning of this year, I wrote about 2012 as being the Year of Cloud and Tablet Computing. Many of you have some type of tablets already. We are seeing them in meetings, conferences, and as field data-collection devices.
Last month, Microsoft announced that its Surface tablet would start shipping along with Windows 8 later this year. This is a significant announcement for Microsoft, since it has never ventured into the computer hardware domain. Windows 8 is the biggest overhaul of the operating system since Windows was initially released; it is focused on touch screen, mobility, and ease of use. The device will run all of your Windows applications, has a slick keyboard, and can use a mouse if you like. With all the tablets competing and driving prices down, we will see this combination of hardware/software bundled into the new Surface tablet at a great price point.
The tide is turning … Microsoft predicts that tablet sales will surpass desktop PCs in 2013. Tablet computing is great for agriculture, since most are mobile and in the fields. Mobility is one key component for ag now and in the future.
The Citrus Expo is set for August 15 and 16 next month, so come on down to Fort Myers and check out our latest LandMagic software version running on some of these new devices. We will be in Booth 509.
CREDIT
column by by RICK MONTNEY
BIO: Rick Montney is the vice president of ProPak Software. His extensive experience spans more than 35 years in business information systems technologies with previous employment with Exxon Office Systems, Information & Computing Services, and IBM. For the past 20 years, his focus has been on agricultural software technologies.
