PREVIOUS ARTICLENEXT ARTICLE
NEWS
By 22 September 2011 | Categories: news

0

Global networking leader Cisco has launched its enterprise focused tablet, the Cisco Cius, in South Africa. The Cius is a business tablet that is intended to deliver virtual desktop integration as well as the means for seamless collaboration to businesses.  

Craig Zeeman, the director for Cisco Service Provider, Cisco Systems, explained that the rapid rise of mobile working has created increased demand for flexible, alternative workspaces that meet the needs of both company and worker. “As South African businesses rapidly transition to this new way of working, the Cius will provide the flexibility demanded by today’s workforce,” he asserted.

Feature set

The 7” tablet includes an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor and runs off Android 2.2 (Froyo), boasting 32 GB of flash memory as well as a miniSD port that supports up to 32 GB additional storage. Its functionality can further be extended by pairing it with a optional high definition (HD) audio station, that is equipped with a telephone handset speakerphone, HD DisplayPort and USB ports.

The device itself, which weighs half a kilogram, features a 720p HD camera that offers up to 30 frames per second as well as a five megapixel rear camera. In keeping with its collaborative focus, the tablet also features dual noise-cancelling microphones for audio conferencing, and single-button TelePresence interoperability that can be engaged either when the tablet is docked, or being used remotely via 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi  or 3G cellular services. 4G services will be available at a later date.

The company explained that it had chosen the 7” form factor – rather than the 9.7” or 10.1” that many other tablets seem to be favouring – for its portability. The device further offers a unified inbox, where all recent calls, emails, video chats and appointments logged in the calendar can be viewed per contact. As seen on the Toshiba AT100, the Cisco Cius has a detachable battery, with which to further extend its eight hour battery life.


The Cisco Cius in its docking station
 
Business applications

While the Cisco Cius supports the Android marketplace, it also has a dedicated market of its own called APP HQ, which hosts apps designed specifically for the device. While there are only 80 of these currently available, Cisco reported that more are being added on a daily basis.

Additionally, the Cius enables businesses to control how and what apps users can download and install on the device. Some users can be granted open access, whereas others could be restricted to apps only available on Cisco’s APP HQ. Enterprises can further remotely ‘push’ apps to all their devices simultaneously. The company elaborated that the tablet “offers businesses the ability to take advantage of the ever-expanding ecosystem of cost-effective, third-party applications, supported by the Android operating system, while controlling user access policy”.

The Cisco Cius also supports Cisco’s comprehensive suite of collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, Cisco WebEx Connect, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco Presence, and interoperability with Cisco TelePresence.

The company was eager to show media the tablet’s main purpose in action, namely that of  desktop virtualisation and HD video streaming with real-time video and multi-party conferencing, as well as the ability to produce, edit and share content stored locally or centrally in the cloud. Unfortunately the venue did not support a live demonstration of these features (which could be forthcoming in the near future).

Cisco pointed out that research firm, International Data Corporation (IDC), had estimated that the mobile workforce will exceed one billion people in 2011. “This growing number of mobile workers has made mobility business-critical and the Cisco Cius tablet is well-positioned to provide secure computing, communications, and collaboration experience,” concluded Cisco.

USER COMMENTS

Read
Magazine Online
TechSmart.co.za is South Africa's leading magazine for tech product reviews, tech news, videos, tech specs and gadgets.
Start reading now >
Download latest issue

Have Your Say


What new tech or developments are you most anticipating this year?
New smartphone announcements (43 votes)
Technological breakthroughs (27 votes)
Launch of new consoles, or notebooks (14 votes)
Innovative Artificial Intelligence solutions (27 votes)
Biotechnology or medical advancements (21 votes)
Better business applications (132 votes)