It's been a few years now since Steve Jobs (News - Alert) declared that the world has entered the "post-PC era," but just making that claim does not make it so — even if that claim is backed up by selling millions upon millions of iPads. Obviously, Jobs was just throwing out a bit of the hyperbolic technology rhetoric he was known for, but the allure of more mobile, more flexible and more comfortable computing is obviously strong.

However, while consumer adoption of tablets is high, the enterprise has been slow to adapt. The flexibility of tablets and smartphones is also sought after in this context, but the challenges presented for an organization must first be overcome before tablets start being considered equal to or greater than desktops for work use.

For one thing, tablets are vulnerable simply because there is a more relaxed attitude toward these devices, whether business-provided or employee-owned. Fortunately, some simple guiding principles can help overcome this. First of all, assume all tablets are vulnerable. Next, establish a ranked information security architecture as acknowledging that some devices pose a greater risk than others can lead to greater security with more time saved.

Tablet image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Another extra cost associated with the adoption of mobile devices over desktops is the need for strong Wi-Fi coverage in all areas of a building. While this may not seem like that big of a deal, positioning wireless access points in meeting rooms and office spaces will not be sufficient for mobile use. Since the point of tablet and smartphone use is its mobility, connectivity must also be offered in more unusual areas of a business' premises. Obviously, building and maintaining such a network could end up being quite costly.

Fortunately, though, Wi-Fi suppliers such as Ruckus, Extricom (News - Alert) and Aruba which aim to deliver wide blanket coverage exist to aid in this.

In the end, whether you agree or disagree with mobile devices in the enterprise, it's not something that can be completely ignored, especially since Microsoft's (News - Alert) Surface and Windows 8 tablets will soon be on their way to bring work-oriented mobility to consumers and the enterprise.

Want to learn more about today’s powerful mobile Internet ecosystem? Don't miss the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo, collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5 2012, in Austin, TX.  Stay in touch with everything happening at Mobility Tech Conference & Expo. Follow us on Twitter.