A new survey shows that 73 percent of SMBs are planning to buy tablets like Apple's iPad in 2012, with 89 percent of the largest businesses in the segment (those with between 501 and 999 employees) saying they expect to spend an average of $38,749 on tablets.

The NPD Group's report said the iPad is the tablet most businesses are considering.

"Businesses of all sizes appear to be determined to capitalize on the tablet phenomenon," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD. "The iPad, just as it is in the consumer market, is synonymous for ‘Tablet' in the business market, leaving Apple poised to take advantage of the increased spending intentions of these SMBs. NPD's research shows that iPad purchase preference is higher among larger firms than smaller ones, which is an important indicator that Apple is gaining traction far outside its typical consumer space."

Tablets and smartphones have been a driving factor in the increase of employee mobility, helping to expand both VoIP and videoconferencing spend.