With all the hype the past few weeks over Apple’s iPad, you might be asking yourself: Is the latest gadget from Apple something I should consider adopting in my daily business?
After all, a quick glance down the list of features for the iPad reveals myriad apps for watching movies and television, managing photos, listening to music, and even playing games. And that first impression might lead you to believe that the iPad not a serious device for business. That it’s only for consuming media. You know … that stuff to do with all the free time that you don’t have as a small business owner.
But it turns out that, even though the iPad is built upon the same operating system as the iPhone, application developers have found ways to take advantage of the iPad’s larger display to bring much more business functionality to your hands than you’ll find anywhere else short of carrying a full-sized notebook computer around.
How is it being used now?
In its short life, there have already been a number of very interesting uses developed for Apple’s new tablet in business including:
Using the iPad as a check in terminal for events or customer appointments.With database apps such as Bento or the device’s built in web browser, you can link back to your servers in the office to check reservations, confirm appointments, or even check your schedule to see if you can accept walk-ins.
Kind of like the digital equivalent of a paper napkin, apps such as Autodesk’s SketchBook Pro or Adobe Ideas let you brainstorm with your client in real-time and then take those ideas back to the office to flesh them out further.
The iPad is great for client presentations. Rather than toting a 5 lb notebook and its accessories around, you can use the iPad to demonstrate new projects to your clients instead. Flowcharts are easily created and displayed using OmniGraffle, images from a photo shoot can be shared using the built in Photos app, and the iPad can even be connected directly to a projector for showing a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation to a larger group.
Retrieve data needed from the computer at the office. Using apps like LogMeIn Ignition or Dropbox, you could access the desktops and servers at your office over WiFi or 3G connections or grab that important file you forgot to bring with you.
The iPad can be used as a portable invoicing system. With the app, Billings Touch by Marketcircle, small business owners can track time, mileage and expenses while in the field as well as use the app to invoice the client at the job site. And with apps such as Credit Card Terminal or Square, credit card and cash payments can be accepted in the field too. Some small businesses are even using Square and its optional credit card dongle, to take the place of a full sized POS register!
One of my favorite uses for the iPad that I’ve found so far, without question, is the use of its built in VoiceOver technology to allow those with disabilities such as aphonia, to replace outdated, expensive, and very awkward to carry around equipment with a device that weighs little more than 1.5 lbs, offers exponentially more functionality than their old dedicated device, and it offers it all at a mere fraction of the price.
When you throw in office productivity apps for creating and working with documents on the go, basic functionality like Calendaring, Email, and keeping client info with you, as well as the many thousands of apps already available for the iPad, how it could be used for your small business as a companion to your existing infrastructure has the potential to be limitless.
So which model should you get?
It sounds glib to say, but it really depends on how you plan to use it! If you’ll be using the iPad strictly within the walls of your storefront, at your home office, places where WiFi is readily available, or in situations where connectivity simply isn’t needed, then use the extra $130 the 3G connectivity would cost you, to purchase apps and accessories instead.
But if you’ll be running all over Northern Illinois (or all over the country!) and need connectivity where WiFi is not available so you can stay on top of e-mails and websites, download data from your home or office computer via services like Dropbox, or you plan to use the maps feature heavily and need the accuracy of Assisted GPS, then the 3G model (paired with a monthly 3G data plan) is for you.
So IS the iPad right for your Business?
Well, it’s a tough decision for a small business owner to make because uses for the iPad will vary considerably from one small business to the next and, truth be told, tablet computers like the iPad may not be something that you can use. But if the idea of adding a mobile-work flow to your daily routine is something you’d like to explore further, give us a call to set up a time when we can demo Apple’s iPad for you and discuss ways we can help you use it in your business.