(Microsoft/Apple)The Microsoft Surface Pro 4, left and the Apple iPad Air 2, right are the two latest tablets out today. A report by research firm Govini says that Microsoft's Surface tablets are gaining rapidly on Apple's iPad over at the government sector.

For a long time, Apple and Microsoft have a rivalry, starting with the PC and now extending to tablets. The rivalry continues as both come out with tablets that match the other in one way or the other. In at least one sector, though, Microsoft seems to have taken the upper hand over Apple.

Federal government buyers seem to have taken to the Microsoft Surface than to Apple's iPad, according to reports. Phone Arena states that Govini, a research firm, has research data that shows that Microsoft's Surface tablets are preferred by federal government employees over the Apple iPad.

As Phone Arena states, the Apple iPad has steadily lost market share to the Microsoft Surface on government sales, coming down from a high of 98 percent of sales in 2012 to only 61 percent in 2015. In that same period, government purchase for Windows tablets went up to around 25 percent. Android tablets make up 11 percent of government tab let purchases.

The Microsoft Surface seems to have sold well to employees in certain key government departments, particularly in the military and security. Sensors Tech Forum notes that the Govini report states Microsoft Surface to be preferred by those in the Army, Air Force, Navy, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

This strong competition from Microsoft might be attributed to the Surface Pro 3's performance when it came out, as The International Business Times says. This has since been followed up by the Surface Pro 4, the Surface 3 and the Surface Book.

Another reason for this might be that Microsoft Surface tablets can interact better with many PCs, which usually have Windows as its OS. Though when it comes to apps iOS might have more to choose from, Windows Mobile is more customizable, owing to Windows being just as customizable on the PC.

In the long run, this might be the strength of Windows Mobile, especially Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft has a strong platform with Windows 10 Mobile. What it needs is to be able to catch up and convince more developers to make more apps for it, which would generate more interest among consumers.

Microsoft right now is still trying to catch up to the smart phone and mobile devices industry. Android and iOS have a big head start on the industry, and Microsoft would need much to take a larger share in the market, though perhaps it would be a start for it if federal government employees see Microsoft Windows tablets to be a better alternative over Apple's iPad.