MicroStrategy Targets Kindle DX For a Business Environment

Business intelligence software vendor, MicroStrategy, has decided to make its reports available to the Kindle DX.  Now, any company that is a client of MicroStrategy’s services has the option to download Kindle DX friendly pdfs directly over Whispernet.

While this announcement only applies to those who already buy services from MicroStategy, I think it’s worth mentioning for a couple of reasons.  This is an example of a company targeting the Kindle specifically for use in a business environment.  This is markedly different from the current, consumer-centric marketing Amazon has done.  Thus far, eReaders have been essentially thought of as a toy (not that that is a bad thing) that people use for their own enjoyment.  Using the Kindle for work is a somewhat novel idea, if only for the moment.

But while the Kindle’s use by MicroStrategy is fairly rudimentary, it demonstrates the potential of eReaders.  They have turned the Kindle DX into an office on the go.  The wireless capabilities allow employees to download needed documents from anywhere, and the large eInk display provides and easy to view and easy to share alternative to office paper.

Right now the only downsides are lack of color and the general spottiness of the Kindle DX’s PDF support.  These are temporary issues, however, as eReaders will continue to develop.  At some point in the future, it’s likely that more and more businesses will move towards some sort of eReader standard.  The idea of a paperless office, which has long seemed unlikely, may not be too far off.