Computerworld — As business use of tablet computers, smartphones and other consumer-focused devices grows, makers of enterprise applications are taking notice, analysts say.

"Enterprise vendors are recognizing that devices don't matter when you're accessing an application," said Rebecca Wettemann, an analyst at Nucleus Research Inc. "If I'm out in the field, I should be able to access information to do my job."

A ChangeWave poll of 1,600 IT buyers late last year found that 14% of companies plan to purchase tablet computers for job-related tasks. The survey also found that workers appear to be eschewing enterprise-oriented devices from Hewlett-Packard Inc. and Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) in favor of consumer devices like Apple Inc.'s iPad .