Savvy green-industry businesses can jump on this tech trend for more mobility and efficiency.

Austin, Texas -- Dec. 9, 2011 -- The year 2011 will be remembered as one of tumultuous global change: From the Arab Spring abroad to the Occupy movement here in the United States, the world is changing right in front of us.

A quieter revolution has been taking place in the world of technology, as tablet computers have slowly crept into the spotlight for both consumers and businesses. eMarketer estimates 33.7 million Americans will be using some kind of tablet computer by the end of 2011 -- up almost 160 percent from last year -- and may rise to as many as 90 million users by 2014.

But businesses are only beginning to realize tablets' potential for their productivity and operations, according to Chris Heiler, a green industry social media consultant and principal of Landscape Leadership. "How -- and where -- we conduct business is changing rapidly; we're less and less dependent on a physical home base," Heiler said. "I think 2012 will be the year tablets emerge as a key tool for day-to-day business."

Though Apple continues to dominate tablet sales with 65 percent market share for its iPad, other companies are eager to get into the game: Amazon grabbed about 14 percent of the market after the introduction of its Kindle Fire, and Samsung, Barnes & Noble and HTC are also in the game.

Amazon predicts Q4 sales of the Fire will top out around 4 million units, and Barnes & Noble announced on Dec. 9 that it had recently shipped its millionth Nook Tablet. In addition to reading e-books and playing Angry Birds, there are quite a few practical applications that landscape contractors, garden center retail businesses and others in the green industry might consider. Here are just a few:

• Processing on-site payments and contract/change order signing
• On-site presentations by landscape designers or salespeople in garden centers
• Plant and other product inventory
• Maps and up-to-the-minute weather
• Sketching and designing
• Quick, simple communication: email, Facebook/Twitter updating
• Basic video shooting, editing and publishing
• Tradeshow product and service demos
• Rich retail point-of-purchase displays, such as how-to videos and inspiring ideas

"Savvy companies will begin empowering their employees with tablets and smart phones," Heiler said. "The resources salespeople, designers and crew leaders need will suddenly be at their fingertips, giving them more mobility and freedom to work faster and more efficiently."

About Chris Heiler:

Chris Heiler is a green industry social media consultant and principle of Landscape Leadership. He develops social media strategy and training programs for clients ranging from landscape design/build firms and lawn care companies to garden centers, growers and specialty manufacturers. He is also a green industry social media speaker, presenting at numerous landscape industry events across the country each year. Chris lives in Austin, Texas.