How Effective is the iPad as a Business Tool?

How Effective is the iPad as a Business Tool?
Right from the start the iPad was marketed as one of the best unique devices to be launched on the market. It’s screen size and ability to render amazing images as well as it’s great video playback lives up to this claim. However, there is more to the iPad than just this because the device offers business-savvy users some very interesting apps they can really benefit from. Although Apple is pretty independent, it does however, have in-built support for Microsoft [...]

Right from the start the iPad was marketed as one of the best unique devices to be launched on the market. It’s screen size and ability to render amazing images as well as it’s great video playback lives up to this claim. However, there is more to the iPad than just this because the device offers business-savvy users some very interesting apps they can really benefit from.

Although Apple is pretty independent, it does however, have in-built support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. Microsoft’s Business Email service cannot be ignored and as such Apple would not let their users get left behind should they choose to buy an iPad.

This enhanced software feature allows iPad users to manage specific calendar details as well as search global address lists and inbox messages that are stored in their Microsoft profile.

Apple is known for it’s high level of security and this is just as important on the iPad. Data exchanged over the Internet or over-the-air can be encrypted. Corporate communication over-the-air is also very well protected using a certificate-based authentication process via VPN and Exchange. If users lose their iPads or they are stolen, people are able to delete any vulnerable data that’s stored on the device by way of a remote command app.

There are loads of specialized apps which include business metrics tracker, proposal reviewer and many more that have be specifically developed with business users in mind. Apple hosts the iPhone Developer Enterprise Program which is much the same as the enterprise edition of the BlackBerry RIM. The real difference between the two is that iPad users can create their own apps and they can share these with colleagues as well as employees when deemed necessary.

Companies are able to set up on their own profiles on their iPads and this includes their details like VPN, email, password as well as wireless networks which they can then share with their colleague through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the Internet.

For business users, the iWork app allows them to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. These applications have been specifically designed to be accessed by the iPad’s multi-touch screen system. They can create and present keynote slides throught the touchscreen device and manage Numbers and Pages by simply tapping the element on it.

Users can share these documents in different ways including via a VGA adapter that connects the iPad to a projector which allows the device to display a much larger image, this is particularly useful when a presentation needs to be given to a roomful of people. One good thing about the iPad is that users can import Microsoft documents onto their device. Users can share their presentations, spreadsheets and text document on a much wider scale if they upload to iWork.com as this allows a much larger audience to view the files when they need to.

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Jordana Brewster
Jennifer Love Hewitt