FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Aug 23, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

While it's no surprise that employees admit to logging in after hours and on vacation, new data reveals they're increasingly using their personal tablets to maintain a work/life balance. According to survey results from Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., more than 60 percent of tablet owners even admit to powering on their tablet during vacation to check in with the office or do work.

Tablets represent the latest device to bridge the worlds of both home and office, in part because of their convenience, ease of use and portability. About 80 percent of tablet owners say they enjoy an improved work/life balance because of the technology and cite the following business benefits:

• Increased productivity - Almost 60 percent of survey respondents say they get more work done using a tablet.
• Communication central - More than 40 percent said staying connected with colleagues and clients was the primary motivator for buying a tablet.
• Easy to work - About 75 percent of tablet users check email. One-third review and edit documents on their device.

Mobility Wins Over Functionality

What's the number one motivator for owning a tablet? The winner (at more than 90 percent) is the convenience of portability. Being able to tuck a tablet into a portfolio or small bag was more important than the ability to video conference, the device's operating system or easy access to office email and VPN. Convenience was so important to survey respondents that they also admitted using a tablet in bed (78 percent), in the bathroom (35 percent), and at a restaurant (30 percent).

With the rise of tablets being used as a business device, there is concern about security. As with any device, Staples recommends good security and data protection practices to guard against data loss or malware. Currently, two-thirds of tablet owners do not regularly back up data on their devices. With the advent of hosted cloud services, data can be stored on a remote server rather than on the tablet. This way, if the device is lost or stolen, work documents and other data are not at risk. Tablet users should also install and update security software. Less than 15 percent of those surveyed have installed encryption or anti-virus software on their tablets.

Tablet Excitement Continues to Grow

This year, a multitude of tablet models have been introduced into the market, 95 percent of which are being used as a supplemental device to a laptop/PC, according to the Staples survey. However, more than 60 percent of current tablet owners think tablets will someday serve as their primary computing device.

"Tablets offer fantastic convenience and a better work/life balance, making it easy for employees to keep information with them and utilize business apps, no matter where they go. For employers, the benefit is having a more productive workforce that's always connected to what's happening at the office," said Ed Ludwigson, vice president and general manager for Staples Technology Solutions, the technology products and services division of Staples Advantage.

For more information about tablet solutions for businesses, please visit www.staplesadvantage.com/tablets. Small businesses and consumers can also learn more about tablets in Staples retail stores or online at www.staples.com/tablets.

About the Survey

Staples Advantage conducted an online survey, with responses from more than 200 tablet users at companies of various sizes and across industries. The survey was conducted in June 2011 and asked participants questions about their perceptions of tablets, business uses and impact on productivity.

About Staples Advantage

Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), serves organizations of 20 or more employees up to the Fortune 1000, including global businesses, local, state and federal government, healthcare organizations and educational institutions. The Staples Advantage one source solution includes comprehensive products and services from office supplies, technology and printing to promotional products, furniture and facility supplies. Dedicated to providing organizations with greater cost savings and improved ordering efficiencies, Staples Advantage provides a customized level of account support and best-in-class customer service. More information is available at www.staplesadvantage.com.

About Staples

Staples is the world's largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staplestweets and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.

SOURCE: Staples, Inc.

Staples, Inc.
Nina Akerley, 508-253-1078
nina.akerley@staples.com
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Joanne Stanway, 781-418-2421
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