The survey by BoxTone, a mobile service management software vendor, found that 73% of the 1,165 IT pros in the survey expect to pilot or deploy the Apple iPad, iPhone or other iOS device within the next year; 28% plan for a pilot or deployment "immediately."

The survey involved IT pros from North America attending three Boxtone Webinars in October on the topic of securing and managing iPads, meaning the respondents were already pre-disposed to consider iPads and were certainly a more iOS-centric audience than all IT managers.

Still, the findings show a stronger interest in the iPad than previously expected, said Brian Reed, chief marketing officer at BoxTone. "There's a huge spike in iPad interest," he said.

BlackBerry devices are still central to many enterprises, but the iPhone and iPad innovations have impressed IT professionals, he said.

He said many IT managers are impressed with the , as well as the ability to write or use business applications with the . It also helps iPad adoption that both AT&T and Verizon Wireless can bulk order iPads in thousands of units at a time from Apple, giving customers easier access to the product with the potential for corporate pricing, Reed said. with a MiFi mobile hotspot on Oct. 28.