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How to go Paperless with iPad

motoleo

motoleo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 27, 2012
904
1
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I'm just about ready to let go of my PC. But before I do, there are still some technicalities. Can you tell me some of the techniques you use to make the transition as smooth as possible?
 
I'm currently running completely paperless for my business but it depends on what you need. If you're in law, it will be close to impossible, if you're a doc, it's definitely possible except for any legal paperwork. It all depends on your profession.
 
A good document scanner app like JotNot Pro is a good way to start. It lets you take a photo of the document and then adjust the angles of the scan in case you scan it at an angle.

I use the Fujitsu ScanSnap and absolutely love being able to scan and OCR hundreds of pages in just a few minutes. But that requires full OSX or Windows, so you'd still need a desktop or laptop. But here's a link talking about the process of using scansnap on your computer, then transferring to the iPad

Good luck!
 
I keep all my current work projects in my Dropbox account as PDF documents, which I sync to Goodreader on my iPad. I use Goodreader to read those documents and I make annotations which I can then share with colleagues who can view them in Acrobat. I have a Wacom stylus for hand-written comments right on the screen. I use Notability for taking notes (handwritten and typed) and can export those to Word though the RTF file format.

BTW, my new iPad that I just ordered will bring the retina display into the equation which will SUBSTANTIALLY enhance my paperless life. I will now be able to view full screen PDF pages without enlarging the text to make it more readable. Can't wait!
 
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redman042 said:
I keep all my current work projects in my Dropbox account as PDF documents, which I sync to Goodreader on my iPad. I use Goodreader to read those documents and I make annotations which I can then share with colleagues who can view them in Acrobat. I have a Wacom stylus for hand-written comments right on the screen. I use Notability for taking notes (handwritten and typed) and can export those to Word though the RTF file format.

BTW, my new iPad that I just ordered will bring the retina display into the equation which will SUBSTANTIALLY enhance my paperless life. I will now be able to view full screen PDF pages without enlarging the text to make it more readable. Can't wait!
Click to expand...

I use a lot of the same apps that you do. I'm pretty much almost completely paperless. I just don't know if I can really manage to let go of my PC.
 
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There is a member here (I apologize for not remember his username) who has a blog about using an iPad without any other computer. Check it out 

http://ipadalone.com

Personally, I rarely turn on my Mac Mini or HP laptop anymore. Most tasks I need to do at home can be done on my iPad. 
 
motoleo said:
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I use a lot of the same apps that you do. I'm pretty much almost completely paperless. I just don't know if I can really manage to let go of my PC.
Click to expand...

If I were you I would wait and use the iPad 3 for a while and see if it can replace your PC. There have been a few threads on this same subject and it came down to the fact that it COULD replace some people's PC but others there is no way! I know there is no way they would replace our PC in the office but possibly could replace some laptops in the field.
 
I think maybe the iPad is best used in cases, where you just don't have a laptop. Like in the car. At work, definitely.

When I come home, I think I'd still use my laptop. You can go paperless with an iPad and a laptop and a phone.

But you can't go paperless with just a phone, or just a laptop or just an iPad.
 
It is hard. I use a combo of the iphone 4, ipad, and a Boogie Board. The scansnaps are awesome but very expensive. "High Speed" document scanners are so overpriced.

I dont think you should be paperless I think we should be about 90% paper independant.
 
I can't say I'm 100% paperless, but I've gotten fairly close using a combination of an iPad, iPhone 4, MacBook Air, Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 and Evernote. I scan receipts/paperwork and shred where appropriate (legal documents get filed away). I also use my Evernote assigned email address and webclips to minimize what I need on paper and instead store it in Evernote. I use MyFax.com to send electronic faxes (there are others out there that work for online faxing). Do thing and for other inbound bills I request paperless billing where available. For me this all works and gives me access to my "filing cabinet" even without internet access (subscribed to Premium service with Evernote). So no I couldn't do it with just an iPad but having the combo let's me get comfortably close to being paperless. Good luck with your efforts.
 
motoleo said:
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I use a lot of the same apps that you do. I'm pretty much almost completely paperless. I just don't know if I can really manage to let go of my PC.
Click to expand...

I can't let go of my PC, not for a while. The biggest reason is no compatibility with MS Word Track Changes. Plus, spreadsheets suck on the iPad.

But I can use the iPad for a lot of what I need a computer for, and it's frequently a BETTER alternative than the PC. That's pretty amazing considering this category of product is only 2 years old.
 
I'm actually completely paperless now except for official documents such as business registration, stock certificates, and anything that needs to be notarized. I don't print anything, I just e-mail, and I contain almost everything on servers so I'm disaster-proof. Great to know that even if I don't survive, my data will... :rolleyes:
 
Buildbright said:
It is hard. I use a combo of the iphone 4, ipad, and a Boogie Board. The scansnaps are awesome but very expensive. "High Speed" document scanners are so overpriced.

I dont think you should be paperless I think we should be about 90% paper independant.
Click to expand...

Can you tell me your workflow with the Boogie Board? I have been following the creation of this device forever but still haven't jumped to getting one.
 
Why the big interest in going paperless? You can go paperless and still keep your desktop. Just do not print anything.

I am running a business with employees and there is. NO way we could go paperless. We need work orders for the men, invoices, receipts, quality control sheets. . . . We kill trees like mowing the lawn!
 
I use a combination of PDF expert, perfect OCR, save2pdf, drop box, and evernote on my iPad along with Microsoft office on my laptop to be about 90% paperless. Only thing I need paper for are for documents that need notorizing and to review plans because the paper size is much larger.
 
phishindsn said:
Can you tell me your workflow with the Boogie Board? I have been following the creation of this device forever but still haven't jumped to getting one.
Click to expand...

I use it like paper. I keep it on my desk and I write down numbers, quick notes, and I take it to the warehouse to make quick inventory. It is better for writing then the iPad. I don't have to worry about dropping it or tossing on the table. Also a tip use a normal pen or marker without the tip. The stylus included is a joke.
 
I actually tossed all my school books. They are all digital. All class work is completed electronically. Dropbox is my new filing cabinet. I don't take receipts. Every purchase I've made in the last three years have been electronically recorded on my plastic card. I'm pretty much completely paperless.

When there's course material to be read, I let Siri read while I take notes. This is the best feature. I even have her read me the responses from this forum.
 
motoleo said:
I actually tossed all my school books. They are all digital. All class work is completed electronically. Dropbox is my new filing cabinet. I don't take receipts. Every purchase I've made in the last three years have been electronically recorded on my plastic card. I'm pretty much completely paperless.

When there's course material to be read, I let Siri read while I take notes. This is the best feature. I even have her read me the responses from this forum.
Click to expand...

You need to wake up now. :p
 
motoleo said:
I actually tossed all my school books. They are all digital. All class work is completed electronically. Dropbox is my new filing cabinet. I don't take receipts. Every purchase I've made in the last three years have been electronically recorded on my plastic card. I'm pretty much completely paperless.

When there's course material to be read, I let Siri read while I take notes. This is the best feature. I even have her read me the responses from this forum.
Click to expand...

Great idea.
 
Stealthipad said:
I am running a business with employees and there is. NO way we could go paperless. We need work orders for the men, invoices, receipts, quality control sheets. . . . We kill trees like mowing the lawn!
Click to expand...


Sure you could. I've taken companies paperless for the last 18 years. Just integrate a good document mgt system. Work orders, invoices, quality control sheets are ideal for going paperless. I've converted garage door installation companies to doctors/hospitals to furniture manufactures to paperless systems building in a lot of automation and cost savings. Start in one area of the business first, solve the main need and expand from there.
 
pdqgp said:
Sure you could. I've taken companies paperless for the last 18 years. Just integrate a good document mgt system. Work orders, invoices, quality control sheets are ideal for going paperless. I've converted garage door installation companies to doctors/hospitals to furniture manufactures to paperless systems building in a lot of automation and cost savings. Start in one area of the business first, solve the main need and expand from there.
Click to expand...

No, I could not.:mad:

YOU do not know and understand what it takes for us to conduct business. You do not know my employees or customers.

Not going to happen any time soon.
 
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