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14 Replies Last post : May 27, 2010 12:31 PM byDwight Frindt  
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Apr 4, 2009
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Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

Creation Date : Feb 4, 2010 1:26 PM | Modification Date : Feb 4, 2010 1:26 PM

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the Keynote presentation by Steve Jobs presenting the iPad. Do you think it will be a tool that businesses can use? What features do you think it lacks? What would make it more useful?

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85 posts since
Jul 31, 2009
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Feb 11, 2010 11:07 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

I see in the creative fields, people using them for digital portfolios. That is a pretty large group.

 

  I can totally see it being used in a meeting setting.  Picture each attendee has one in front of them.  they have WIFI so each pad could  display the presentation material, say a powerpoint, or the latest project in real time.  As changes are made to the project, each person's ipad will record the changes and after the meeting breaks, everyone will have the exact same changes on their version. An app based on Bump could do that.

 

A  rumored camera built in  would work with skype and make meetings a little more mobile.

 

In commercial & corporate shoots, we can give it to the client and sit them safely ( our safety, not theirs)  away from us and they can still see the images as we capture them.

 

Schools  I think will offer them as a choice to hard cover books. Like they do already with the Kindle.

 

 

Like most apple products,  I think  the 3.0 version  will be the 'must have' item.

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1 posts since
Aug 24, 2009
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Feb 18, 2010 12:20 PM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

Expert Answer

I think it could be great if it had a stylus and coulbe be used for notes.

I would take it instead of a legal pad. YOu could have a mobile office-

all in your portfolio.

 

Lindsey Torbett, CPA, CFP

Vistage Chair

Alexandria, LA

Lindsey Torbett

Lindsey is a Chair at Vistage International, the world's leading Chief Executive Organization that has been helping CEOs become better leaders since 1957. He coaches a group of 12-16 CEOs in a dynamic, hands-on model that provides members perspective and accountability to produce exceptional results.

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27 posts since
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Mar 5, 2010 8:27 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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Hi Dustin,

 

I am quite excited about the iPad.  I think it has great implications for business.

 

Sales reps and field service reps may get the most out of the iPad.  A sales rep can use the iPad's simple touch interface to check inventory, prepare quotes, give presentations and even log their sales calls.  Sure they can do some of that on a handheld device, but the added functionality, real estate and wireless capabilities of the iPad make it so much better.

 

Tablets are used extensively in many industries, but the design and capabilities of the available devices are clunky and awkward.  I believe the iPad is that quantum step forward.  It brings the tablet out of niche uses, and into the mainstream.  This means there will be more developers and more business people trying to get the most out of this device.

 

Jeremy Miller

http://www.LEAPJob.com

Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller is a partner at LEAPJob, he also writes and speaks on how companies can build brands that sell themselves online. He is a regular contributor to a variety of publications including Selling Power, Contact Magazine and the Globe and Mail. He is frequently interviewed on television about the latest marketing and hiring trends.

You can also keep up with Jeremy from his twitter account.

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85 posts since
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Mar 9, 2010 7:28 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

It is coming out  April 3rd!

 

Just so happens to be a certain person's  Birthday  that day........ 

 

I'm just saying......

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27 posts since
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Mar 9, 2010 7:39 AM in response to: Patrick Warneka
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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As we look at tablets and the future of personal computing it is worth considering the Microsoft Courier.  It looks extremely powerful, and has very interesting applications for a business professional.  Engadget has a few videos at http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/microsofts-courier-digital-journal-exclusive-pictures-and-de/

 

Take a peak

 

Jeremy Miller

http://www.LEAPJob.com

Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller is a partner at LEAPJob, he also writes and speaks on how companies can build brands that sell themselves online. He is a regular contributor to a variety of publications including Selling Power, Contact Magazine and the Globe and Mail. He is frequently interviewed on television about the latest marketing and hiring trends.

You can also keep up with Jeremy from his twitter account.

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2 posts since
Feb 23, 2010
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Mar 10, 2010 7:10 PM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

I'll be buying one when they go on sale. I think it will be useful in a lot of situations where the power of a laptop isn't necessary. It will be much easier to carry around and the battery life should eliminate the need to keep plugging in all the time. I think that certain industries might have specific use cases where it will really shine like in sales or medicine. If developers embrace it and create business applications, it could become very useful indeed. 

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3 posts since
Sep 19, 2009
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Mar 11, 2010 7:07 PM in response to: Scott Kopelchuk
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

I for one am definitely looking at the iPad as an valuable and versatile business tool. I recently read an article by Ben Parr at Mashable (www.mashable.com) on the AMEX OPEN site on this very topic. (http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/technology/article/5-potential-business-uses-for-the-ipad-ben-parr).

 

The ability to run iWork applications that will make MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents functional was the key over the transom for me, making the iPad a workable tablet computer for most light-duty workloads. Apps like Airshare will enable files to be transferred off and on easily and other utilities will add increasing business functionality over time.

 

For my work as a Vistage Group Chair - the ability to cary and present visual aids is a huge plus in both working with my members and interviewing prospective CEOs. The device is a lot less clumsy than a laptop, has a crisp display and is easily handled.

 

Peripherals will also make a difference. There is a bluetooth external keyboard that should be released at about the same time the iPad is. I hoping for a fast external storage solution and some kind of a link to an LCD projector - which would entirely eliminate my need to travel with my MacBook for meetings or speaking assignments.

 

My guess is that there are and will perhaps be better "pure" business solutions from more traditional business computing sources - but for anyone sold on Apple - there will likely be nothing every quite like it.

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51 posts since
Nov 4, 2009
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Mar 11, 2010 10:17 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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It all depends on what business problems it solves and cost. It is too soon to say, but I am looking forward to learn how businesses will embrace it.

George Meszaros

George is the CEO of Webene, a leading web presence solutions provider and new media marketing firm. Webene specializes in web design, graphic design, e-commerce solutions, web application development, custom content management systems (CMS), Internet marketing, Pay Per Click management, Search Engine Optimization, email marketing, and web analytics. Author of Triumph On The Web ? Revolutionize Your Business With Simple Online Strategies. He earned an MBA with an emphasis on Technology Management and an M.S. in Computer Information Systems. He has been a Vistage member since 2005.

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27 posts since
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Mar 23, 2010 8:09 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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For an additional perspective on the iPad:

 

Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller is a partner at LEAPJob, he also writes and speaks on how companies can build brands that sell themselves online. He is a regular contributor to a variety of publications including Selling Power, Contact Magazine and the Globe and Mail. He is frequently interviewed on television about the latest marketing and hiring trends.

You can also keep up with Jeremy from his twitter account.

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85 posts since
Jul 31, 2009
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Mar 24, 2010 9:57 AM in response to: Jeremy Miller
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

VIV Mag Featurette: A Digital Magazine Motion Cover and Feature for the iPad from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.

 

This video shows some of the  Ipad's  potential.

 

It also blows my equipment budget out of the water 

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51 posts since
Nov 4, 2009
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Apr 8, 2010 11:12 AM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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The answer is no, at least, right now. I have tested it and it doesn't have a java enabled browser. - before you start yawning, this is important - Java enabled browsers is a must for most business users. For example, gotomypc is a very common business app that you cannot run on the ipad as it is.

 

I can live with no Flash support, but most business people need java for the many applications that depend on it.

 

At this point, I consider the ipad more of an entertainment toy than a business tool. I am sure that the ipad will evolve to be a more complete system or its competitors will.

George Meszaros

George is the CEO of Webene, a leading web presence solutions provider and new media marketing firm. Webene specializes in web design, graphic design, e-commerce solutions, web application development, custom content management systems (CMS), Internet marketing, Pay Per Click management, Search Engine Optimization, email marketing, and web analytics. Author of Triumph On The Web ? Revolutionize Your Business With Simple Online Strategies. He earned an MBA with an emphasis on Technology Management and an M.S. in Computer Information Systems. He has been a Vistage member since 2005.

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85 posts since
Jul 31, 2009
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Apr 8, 2010 1:03 PM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

George,

just give some 15 year old about a month's time to play with the Ipad and they will have an App for that Java problem!

 

If GOTO were smart they would adapt to the Iphone and Ipad.  But I bet they are working on it as we speak.

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50 posts since
Jul 9, 2009
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May 21, 2010 12:28 PM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

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I suspect so as long as someone has a want/need. I just came across a situation with a client who has a manager whose dying to use his iPad to help improve productivity. I can see his side. What most people aren't considering, however, are the security issues that go along with having sensitive business and customer data on a device that's unmanaged, owned by the employee, easily lost/stolen, and protected only by a short PIN (if that). Definitely think it through before allowing your users to bring them in.

Kevin Beaver

Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, speaker, and expert witness with Atlanta-based Principle Logic. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, he has more than 20 years' experience in the industry and specializes in performing independent information security assessments revolving around compliance and information risk management. Kevin has authored/co-authored seven books on information security, including "Hacking For Dummies" and "Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies." He's also the creator of the Security On Wheels information security audio books and blog, which provide security learning for IT professionals on the go. Check out Kevin's security blog or follow him on Twitter.

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1 posts since
Aug 4, 2009
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May 27, 2010 12:31 PM in response to: Dustin Mitchell
Re: Will the iPad be useful as a business tool?

My wife and I both have iPads and, for most of our day, the iPad is a great combination of our iPhones and Macs.  We are using them for fast speech writing and delivery, note taking in conferences, and email management as we work on our program here in China.  They are easy to carry around and unobtrusive to use in meetings.  It is easier to deliver a speech from the iPad than from the written page.

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