Smartphones and tablets 'to surpass PCs'

Companies may wish to invest in VoIP solutions for smartphones and tablet computers going forward, as these will usurp PCs in the near future, an industry figure has claimed.

Nicholas McQuire, research director at the International Data Corporation, told the Financial Times Connected Business podcast that global shipments of the two devices have already surpassed those of PCs and it is only a matter of time before they become the most dominant technology in the office.

The expert noted that there are at present approximately 75,000 apps available for PCs compared with more than 1.3 million for mobile devices.

"We've also seen smartphones and tablets combined grow and usurp PCs as the predominant device in terms of shipments worldwide as well. We're going to see more and more of it, I think IT departments are really having to develop proactive strategies in this environment," Mr McQuire added.

Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, said recently that viruses and other threats are something smartphone users are going to have to take seriously going forward.