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How do you use your iPad for work?
- Thread starter Stealthipad
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Besides the obvious (calendar, contacts) I use the following apps on a regular basis:
Dropbox: I have a dropbox folder for active projects on my work desktop, so I have access to my documents from work, home or mobile devices. I also put meeting materials like handouts, agendas, prework, or notes about what I want to say in my active folder. That lets me walk into the meeting with just the iPad instead of a stack of papers.
Goodreader, Pages: I review and edit a lot of docs in the course of a week. I much prefer doing it on the iPad so I can get away from sitting in front of the work computer for hours on end. I use a variety of apps depending on the document format, but mostly these two. I sync Dropbox to Goodreader so that I always have a local copy of everything and don't need to rely on tagging favorites or use up my cellular data plan downloading work docs during a meeting.
OmniFocus: I absolutely depend on OmniFocus to plan, organize and track work projects - it's like a to do list, but on steroids. If you are into GTD this is a fantastic tool. I dump ideas, reminders, and to do items into this as soon as they come up during the day, then sort, prioritize, and schedule follow up actions as needed during my daily work review (usually in the morning with a cup of coffee).
Evernote: the digital file drawer with everything imaginable in it, with powerful search tools so I can actually find what I need when I need it. Also great in the field because it tags notes with your location and because I can embed pics in my notes.
Notability: I've tried many note taking apps and settled on Notability as the best all around app for taking notes in meetings, keeping a work log, etc. Exports directly to Evernote when the notes are done.
I use a variety of others occasionally (Numbers, OmniOutliner and iThoughts, for example) but the ones above are my go-to apps for most work processes.
Dropbox: I have a dropbox folder for active projects on my work desktop, so I have access to my documents from work, home or mobile devices. I also put meeting materials like handouts, agendas, prework, or notes about what I want to say in my active folder. That lets me walk into the meeting with just the iPad instead of a stack of papers.
Goodreader, Pages: I review and edit a lot of docs in the course of a week. I much prefer doing it on the iPad so I can get away from sitting in front of the work computer for hours on end. I use a variety of apps depending on the document format, but mostly these two. I sync Dropbox to Goodreader so that I always have a local copy of everything and don't need to rely on tagging favorites or use up my cellular data plan downloading work docs during a meeting.
OmniFocus: I absolutely depend on OmniFocus to plan, organize and track work projects - it's like a to do list, but on steroids. If you are into GTD this is a fantastic tool. I dump ideas, reminders, and to do items into this as soon as they come up during the day, then sort, prioritize, and schedule follow up actions as needed during my daily work review (usually in the morning with a cup of coffee).
Evernote: the digital file drawer with everything imaginable in it, with powerful search tools so I can actually find what I need when I need it. Also great in the field because it tags notes with your location and because I can embed pics in my notes.
Notability: I've tried many note taking apps and settled on Notability as the best all around app for taking notes in meetings, keeping a work log, etc. Exports directly to Evernote when the notes are done.
I use a variety of others occasionally (Numbers, OmniOutliner and iThoughts, for example) but the ones above are my go-to apps for most work processes.
There is an autofill setting in Safari that works great with my logins at work. It asked me the first time I logged in if I wanted Safari to remember the login information and that was it. I have about 6 different websites that I have to login at for work and it has been flawless.
Let's see.
I love the webex client for iPad. With the new display, it's incredible how good the quality is. I see more than I do through a conference room projector.
For work I use Microsoft Lync for UC and the client can be nice, although it has limitations for now.
Remote Desktop has come in handy at times, and iPad has about the best VPN support I've seen in a phone/tablet device.
I don't find it all that useful for day-to-day business tasks. In most cases, my laptop and desktop are faster, easier to use, more powerful, more flexible and simply more capable. But, on the road I definitely enjoy replying to quick emails on the tablet more than any smartphone.
I love the webex client for iPad. With the new display, it's incredible how good the quality is. I see more than I do through a conference room projector.
For work I use Microsoft Lync for UC and the client can be nice, although it has limitations for now.
Remote Desktop has come in handy at times, and iPad has about the best VPN support I've seen in a phone/tablet device.
I don't find it all that useful for day-to-day business tasks. In most cases, my laptop and desktop are faster, easier to use, more powerful, more flexible and simply more capable. But, on the road I definitely enjoy replying to quick emails on the tablet more than any smartphone.
The first week I got my first iPad (the iPad 2), ir proved its worth at work.
I was part of a vendor evaluation team, evaluating bids placed by vendors for adding a moderately large (multiple hundreds of terabytes) redundant storage array. Each vendor (5 of them) for whatever reason, decided not to submit their bids electronically and instead sent their proposals on paper, enough to fill 3 or 4 large binders, each. So I show up to my office one morning and see a stack of binders about 4 feet high waiting for me in front of my desk.
After I threw a small fit over the amount of trees killed, I got the idea to pull all the pages out of the binders, and toss them into our copier which can bulk scan documents into PDFs with OCR and searchable text.
A couple days later, the team meets, grumbling about having to lug all these binders around... one even complaining that the whole set is heavy enough to set off the seat belt sensor on his passenger seat. And pull out my sleek slim iPad with everything I need in there.
Since then, quite a few of my coworkers have gotten iPads.
Other things I use it for:
- Taking notes (iWork Pages), shooting off e-mails during lengthy meetings (Mail)
- Using the WebEx client for web conference sessions.
- Rather than lugging my laptop in to give a presentation, I use the dock connector to HDMI or VGA adapters to hook up to an LCD or video projector to show slides (Keynote), or demo websites in-browser.
- Quickly logging into our linux servers to run commands, reboot, or check on status (using either iSSH or Prompt), or log into our Windows or Mac servers using Remoter.
- Generally trying to be as paperless as possible. Any documents I need to read through, meeting agendas, or other people's notes, I try to keep on my iPad and avoid printing.
- Connecting to our Cisco IPSec VPN to lock down the connection, if I'm doing work things in the field using an open hotspot.
The key here is for lightweight tasks, that I can do one at a time. If need to hunker down and do something pretty seriously or for a long period, or if things will go faster by being able to multitask, my MacBook Pro will come out instead.
I was part of a vendor evaluation team, evaluating bids placed by vendors for adding a moderately large (multiple hundreds of terabytes) redundant storage array. Each vendor (5 of them) for whatever reason, decided not to submit their bids electronically and instead sent their proposals on paper, enough to fill 3 or 4 large binders, each. So I show up to my office one morning and see a stack of binders about 4 feet high waiting for me in front of my desk.
After I threw a small fit over the amount of trees killed, I got the idea to pull all the pages out of the binders, and toss them into our copier which can bulk scan documents into PDFs with OCR and searchable text.
A couple days later, the team meets, grumbling about having to lug all these binders around... one even complaining that the whole set is heavy enough to set off the seat belt sensor on his passenger seat. And pull out my sleek slim iPad with everything I need in there.
Since then, quite a few of my coworkers have gotten iPads.
Other things I use it for:
- Taking notes (iWork Pages), shooting off e-mails during lengthy meetings (Mail)
- Using the WebEx client for web conference sessions.
- Rather than lugging my laptop in to give a presentation, I use the dock connector to HDMI or VGA adapters to hook up to an LCD or video projector to show slides (Keynote), or demo websites in-browser.
- Quickly logging into our linux servers to run commands, reboot, or check on status (using either iSSH or Prompt), or log into our Windows or Mac servers using Remoter.
- Generally trying to be as paperless as possible. Any documents I need to read through, meeting agendas, or other people's notes, I try to keep on my iPad and avoid printing.
- Connecting to our Cisco IPSec VPN to lock down the connection, if I'm doing work things in the field using an open hotspot.
The key here is for lightweight tasks, that I can do one at a time. If need to hunker down and do something pretty seriously or for a long period, or if things will go faster by being able to multitask, my MacBook Pro will come out instead.
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Using the Jot Pro Stylus - I take notes using every day using UPAD. I used to use bamboo paper app but they still have no retina update.
I also use Paper for sketching some stuff out from time to time.
On top of that I use good reader/drop box. A handy tip that took me longer to think of than I wish but for complicated Word documents that have issues with formatting - convert them to PDF then load them up in good reader.
I have pages installed but since iCloud is still a mess when it comes to going back and forth between ios/osx I use IA Writer. It is a wonderful writing program and behaves exactly how I wish pages would.
Last. It not least I use Evernote to keep everything organized - upad let's me export all my notes to Evernote which has been super useful.
I also use Paper for sketching some stuff out from time to time.
On top of that I use good reader/drop box. A handy tip that took me longer to think of than I wish but for complicated Word documents that have issues with formatting - convert them to PDF then load them up in good reader.
I have pages installed but since iCloud is still a mess when it comes to going back and forth between ios/osx I use IA Writer. It is a wonderful writing program and behaves exactly how I wish pages would.
Last. It not least I use Evernote to keep everything organized - upad let's me export all my notes to Evernote which has been super useful.
High School Computing Science teacher
Use notes all the time for any small things that come up that need my attention
calendar for planning and tracking lesson plans, meetings etc
Codea for giving to advanced pupils as an extension task
Dropbox for sharing my files with home computer and Ipad
Draw as a whiteboard for quick demos for pupils
Socrative for setting quick quizzes and revision for pupils
Use notes all the time for any small things that come up that need my attention
calendar for planning and tracking lesson plans, meetings etc
Codea for giving to advanced pupils as an extension task
Dropbox for sharing my files with home computer and Ipad
Draw as a whiteboard for quick demos for pupils
Socrative for setting quick quizzes and revision for pupils
I find mine is great for taking notes in meetings, carrying around length documents and manuals in PDF form and for viewing and sharing presentations in Keynote.
Webex would be really handy too if my company hadn't disabled mobile device access to meetings....!
Webex would be really handy too if my company hadn't disabled mobile device access to meetings....!
Journalism
I am a writer/photographer, but so far I've only used the pad for the writing part of my work.
One of the most important tasks for the iPad is thinking. I've found that a combination of writing my ideas in longhand (Notes Plus and Bamboo stylus) and then building them into a largish mind map (iThoughtsHD) works well with my brains. MacBook Air and a fountain pen that I used to use don't have the same fluid feeling.
I use the handwriting also in meetings for notes.
On gigs I tape all interviews with AudioNote and simultaneously write pointers with my Apple BT keyboard. I used to do this with my Air, but this way I can put the microphone closer to the subject and still see the text from the screen.
It looks kind of funny, but so far all the interviewees have adapted to it instantly and some even urge me to write particular points down. The app supports a little bit better handwriting after the latest update, so I plan to try that, too.
(Btw: I have the keyboard in a Tuff-Luv cover and expect to get the new iPad cover soon. A nice small company.)
For copying paper documents I use Scanner Pro.
When writing stories I often use Digits for calculations (the app lets you check and correct your numbers on a "paper" tape) and also Convertbot for converting surprisingly many things.
I never write on the pad, but it is always next to my Air for reference and stuff. This setup is getting me closer to paperlessness that is my longtime goal. I just hate the dusty stacks of paper that come with this line of work.
I also count reading as work. After getting my pad I haven't opened my Kindle.
I am a writer/photographer, but so far I've only used the pad for the writing part of my work.
One of the most important tasks for the iPad is thinking. I've found that a combination of writing my ideas in longhand (Notes Plus and Bamboo stylus) and then building them into a largish mind map (iThoughtsHD) works well with my brains. MacBook Air and a fountain pen that I used to use don't have the same fluid feeling.
I use the handwriting also in meetings for notes.
On gigs I tape all interviews with AudioNote and simultaneously write pointers with my Apple BT keyboard. I used to do this with my Air, but this way I can put the microphone closer to the subject and still see the text from the screen.
It looks kind of funny, but so far all the interviewees have adapted to it instantly and some even urge me to write particular points down. The app supports a little bit better handwriting after the latest update, so I plan to try that, too.
(Btw: I have the keyboard in a Tuff-Luv cover and expect to get the new iPad cover soon. A nice small company.)
For copying paper documents I use Scanner Pro.
When writing stories I often use Digits for calculations (the app lets you check and correct your numbers on a "paper" tape) and also Convertbot for converting surprisingly many things.
I never write on the pad, but it is always next to my Air for reference and stuff. This setup is getting me closer to paperlessness that is my longtime goal. I just hate the dusty stacks of paper that come with this line of work.
I also count reading as work. After getting my pad I haven't opened my Kindle.
College professor
I use a lot the same apps mentioned here, but the one I've found most useful for marking up essays is a combination of Dropbox and CloudOn. Since virtually of the essays I have to read come in Word format, converting them to pages, then back to Word was really annoying. CloudOn connects to Dropbox and allows me to edit Word (or Excel, haven't tried PPT but that probably works to) and then saves the document right back into DropBox. Totally handy.
I use a lot the same apps mentioned here, but the one I've found most useful for marking up essays is a combination of Dropbox and CloudOn. Since virtually of the essays I have to read come in Word format, converting them to pages, then back to Word was really annoying. CloudOn connects to Dropbox and allows me to edit Word (or Excel, haven't tried PPT but that probably works to) and then saves the document right back into DropBox. Totally handy.
As a photographer, it's all about visuals. Potential Clients want to see images quickly and simply, so I let them play with the iPad and have a printed portfolio available to them. I do not use Capture One but I understand that they have an app that will stream images to the iPad. It sounds like something that I need to look at soon.
Do you have an iPhone as well? if you have citrix receiver on that as well and connect the two through bluetooth (might work through wifi also) then you can use the iPhone as a trackpad
I've done this to use citrix receiver to access our accounts system and also Excel and Word.
To get back on topic, other uses so far have been Exchange email, reminders for tasks for me and staff and also a second screen for my laptop
I use it as a substitute for a laptop a lot. Using VPN and iTap RDP, I can get in to a PC I use as a "landing zone" at the office, and can do virtually anything I need to do remotely.
Email is vital of course, and Drop Box.
As others have said, when you need to dig in for some heavy lifting, it is not a substitute for a desktop/laptop, but for 90%+ of my work, it is sufficient. It is much easier to tote around!
Email is vital of course, and Drop Box.
As others have said, when you need to dig in for some heavy lifting, it is not a substitute for a desktop/laptop, but for 90%+ of my work, it is sufficient. It is much easier to tote around!
Engineering student :
Notability : take notes (handwritten and text), annotate .pdf on the go. Amazing with a stylus.
Pages+Numbers : just like the desktop apps (don't use Keynotes though). Syncs with iCloud.
iaWriter : simple text editor that syncs with Dropbox, very useful when I only need plain text.
Dropbox+Evernote : the only way to have all my stuff synced with my laptop.
LogmeIn : best remote access app so far, when I need a bit more "muscle" or certain apps that I can't use on the iPad.
I forgot to say, I work with a Zagg keyboard case.
Notability : take notes (handwritten and text), annotate .pdf on the go. Amazing with a stylus.
Pages+Numbers : just like the desktop apps (don't use Keynotes though). Syncs with iCloud.
iaWriter : simple text editor that syncs with Dropbox, very useful when I only need plain text.
Dropbox+Evernote : the only way to have all my stuff synced with my laptop.
LogmeIn : best remote access app so far, when I need a bit more "muscle" or certain apps that I can't use on the iPad.
I forgot to say, I work with a Zagg keyboard case.
I use the following as a SysAdmin;
iTapRDP and iTapVNC - obviously for RDP and VNC
Dropbox - for grabbing network stored docs.
Zite - News
Tapatalk - Tech Forums
Safari - viewing web based ticketing system
Mail - Duh
Pages, Keynote, Numbers - for work ocs and presentations.
iAnnotate - notes on PDF files for meetings etc.
ADHelpDesk - managing AD accounts on the fly.
vSphere Client - managing Virtual environment.
Textastic - bare bones notes and eventual coding...
iBooks - Textbook revision etc for study.
Kindle and Zinio - for magazines and books.
Navigon - mainly on iPhone but sometimes on iPad for making sure I am going to the right place.
That is my daily work usage of the iPad, I recently did a full day of work on the iPad and found it pretty easy to get by.
iTapRDP and iTapVNC - obviously for RDP and VNC
Dropbox - for grabbing network stored docs.
Zite - News
Tapatalk - Tech Forums
Safari - viewing web based ticketing system
Mail - Duh
Pages, Keynote, Numbers - for work ocs and presentations.
iAnnotate - notes on PDF files for meetings etc.
ADHelpDesk - managing AD accounts on the fly.
vSphere Client - managing Virtual environment.
Textastic - bare bones notes and eventual coding...
iBooks - Textbook revision etc for study.
Kindle and Zinio - for magazines and books.
Navigon - mainly on iPhone but sometimes on iPad for making sure I am going to the right place.
That is my daily work usage of the iPad, I recently did a full day of work on the iPad and found it pretty easy to get by.
I'm a film/video editor. It's mostly for email and internet browsing, as far as directly work related tasks I read my scripts and upload video clips for later viewing or reference. I also use it to type out script notes and ADR (voice over and replacement) notes for actors and such.
Of course I love it for netflix and the imdb app. Other essentials are airsharing for quick uploads of said video clips from any computer on the network, and kindle for when I need a break and just want to read.
Of course I love it for netflix and the imdb app. Other essentials are airsharing for quick uploads of said video clips from any computer on the network, and kindle for when I need a break and just want to read.
I've been using eWallet for several years and swear by it. It syncs wireless among iDevices and Mac/PCs. Password protected; stored on the hard drives, not in a cloud.