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How many of you are using iPad in business?
- Thread starter davidlw
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I use my iPad for my work. It is used as a secondary device when I'm at my desk (I usually have my to do list open on it so that I can keep an eye on that without having to switch windows on my desktop). There are very few, if any, instances where the iPad would be better than a desktop if you are at your desk.
I have started using Evernote for notetaking at meetings. Handy because it automatically syncs with your other devices.
It is when I am out and about that the iPad comes into its own. The main reason I bought it was I had been looking for a way of being able to access databases when mobile. The Filemaker Go App is excellent and I use it often when out and about. Of course, you ned to be using Filemaker for it to work.
I use GoodReader to access reference documents and grab anything I need from the Cloud.
iWork (mainly Numbers) for doing any spreadsheet/wordprocessing work when I'm mobile. It is obviously slower than using the desktop versions but at least it is always there.
And I use LogMeIn and Parallels to access our business accounts packages etc.
Basically, nothing that can't be done on a laptop/desktop, but much more mobile. The ability to be able to bring up documents on a decent sized screen or to just do some work on the move is invaluable.
I have started using Evernote for notetaking at meetings. Handy because it automatically syncs with your other devices.
It is when I am out and about that the iPad comes into its own. The main reason I bought it was I had been looking for a way of being able to access databases when mobile. The Filemaker Go App is excellent and I use it often when out and about. Of course, you ned to be using Filemaker for it to work.
I use GoodReader to access reference documents and grab anything I need from the Cloud.
iWork (mainly Numbers) for doing any spreadsheet/wordprocessing work when I'm mobile. It is obviously slower than using the desktop versions but at least it is always there.
And I use LogMeIn and Parallels to access our business accounts packages etc.
Basically, nothing that can't be done on a laptop/desktop, but much more mobile. The ability to be able to bring up documents on a decent sized screen or to just do some work on the move is invaluable.
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Freelancing, yeah .. the plan is to use it for quick prototype drawing, taking notes and having access to online data to demonstrate.
Per my signature I use it for everything. Primary apps including Goodreader (can't do without it frankly), Pages (and to a lesser extent Numbers), and iBooks for reading PDFs of scripts. Also tons of safari and mail of course...
I am definitely using my iPad for business: Pages, Keynotes, Numbers, SketchBook, and Skype round out the apps I use on a daily basis. I also demo our game and clients apps on it as well.
I use it daily for business and it has been a great tool that allows me to do everything I need. I use the basics from email to web, but the Goodreader app let's me carry blueprints and PDFs with me that I never bothered carrying before. I use RDP and VPN functions to the companies order entry system and RDP to my home computer when I need a document to be dropped into Dropbox or iDisk.
I take my iPad everywhere, it's how portable computing should be imo. I don't need a 5 lb computer with 3 hours of battery life to read documents, show plans and do what I need. Any major project or bid is created when I'm in the office and on a workstation, the iPad has sold product for me simply because it was in my hand and ready when I needed it. I carry it in a portfolio vs a laptop in a bag with a charger and all the crap I used to never bother taking out of my car. Now I always have the resource whenever an opportunity arises.
List of apps would be:
Good reader
iAnnotate
Dropbox/iDisk
Evernote
iWork suite of apps as well
The funny thing about the iPad is the conversations it leads to. I've sat with a client that usually is all business, if you schedule a 30 min meeting you better be done and and be out of his office. Sometime this past August I dropped in just to say hello, no appointment, just a quick in and out. He was on the phone and I could hear him talking about looking for some warranty info on a product my competition sold. I loaded up the info on my iPad, and when he came to say hi I showed him the PDF from the site and already emailed it to him. Clearly happy that I had done this for him he invited me to lunch, a rarity, and we proceeded to talk about anything but business for nearly two hours. I was in shock, as he was impossible to corner for meeting let alone lunch. I learned more about his personal life and his interest in gadgets that I would have not likely have learned otherwise. Talk about an icebreaker.
This is not the only time the iPad was a great icebreaker for some of my clients that were interested in it and how I used it for work. Sure it could be any tablet but right now the iPad is what I own and love for my daily needs.
I take my iPad everywhere, it's how portable computing should be imo. I don't need a 5 lb computer with 3 hours of battery life to read documents, show plans and do what I need. Any major project or bid is created when I'm in the office and on a workstation, the iPad has sold product for me simply because it was in my hand and ready when I needed it. I carry it in a portfolio vs a laptop in a bag with a charger and all the crap I used to never bother taking out of my car. Now I always have the resource whenever an opportunity arises.
List of apps would be:
Good reader
iAnnotate
Dropbox/iDisk
Evernote
iWork suite of apps as well
The funny thing about the iPad is the conversations it leads to. I've sat with a client that usually is all business, if you schedule a 30 min meeting you better be done and and be out of his office. Sometime this past August I dropped in just to say hello, no appointment, just a quick in and out. He was on the phone and I could hear him talking about looking for some warranty info on a product my competition sold. I loaded up the info on my iPad, and when he came to say hi I showed him the PDF from the site and already emailed it to him. Clearly happy that I had done this for him he invited me to lunch, a rarity, and we proceeded to talk about anything but business for nearly two hours. I was in shock, as he was impossible to corner for meeting let alone lunch. I learned more about his personal life and his interest in gadgets that I would have not likely have learned otherwise. Talk about an icebreaker.
This is not the only time the iPad was a great icebreaker for some of my clients that were interested in it and how I used it for work. Sure it could be any tablet but right now the iPad is what I own and love for my daily needs.
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I use the iPad along with my iPhone for my sales job. I handle about 1500 customers so keeping up with them is a chore. With the iPad, it is nice to sync all of the customers with my iPhone using Mobile Me. I keep up with sales, contacts, and delivery dates. I use Docs-to-Go for so much and it is a really nice program.
With the OS upgrade, now I can print to my wireless printer and don't need to use the desktop Mac nearly as much.
With the OS upgrade, now I can print to my wireless printer and don't need to use the desktop Mac nearly as much.