iPad Taking Hold in Corporate Settings

Macrumors.com ^ | 7 July 2010 | MacRumors

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

iPad Taking Hold in Corporate Settings

Wednesday July 07, 2010 10:55 AM EST
Written by Eric Slivka

Bloomberg Businessweek profiles the rapidly-growing impact of Apple's iPad in the business world, showing how lessons in data security and other aspects important in corporate settings learned by the company with the iPhone have allowed the iPad to quickly gain popularity with an array of companies in various industries.

Apple, known for courting consumers with sleek designs and easy-to-use software, is making inroads with corporations that say the iPad can make workers more productive without putting sensitive customer information at risk. SAP (SAP), Tellabs (TLAB), and Daimler's (DAI:GR) Mercedes-Benz are using the tablet-style computer for tasks as varied as accessing work e-mail, approving shipping orders, and calling up on-the-spot auto-finance options.Analysts note that companies have been reluctant to adopt tablet-based computers until now due to their typically underpowered nature and inability to multitask. The appeal of the iPad has, however, caused companies to rethink how tablets can be used and to experiment with the iPad in their businesses.

Reservations aside, Wells Fargo saw early on how quickly the iPad might take hold among business clients the weekend the device was released. Finance executives of large companies - those that generate more than $50 million in revenue - accessed corporate Wells Fargo accounts with iPads, says Amy Johnson, a Wells Fargo vice-president who works on the company's online portal and mobile strategy. A finance official or account representative could use a mobile device like the iPad to approve multimillion-dollar wire transfers, she explains.The report also highlights Daimler's Mercedes-Benz unit, which has rolled out iPads to 40 of its U.S. dealerships to allow sales representatives to share financing options with customers as they wander around the showroom. The company has also released an iPhone application to allow customers to manage their finance accounts and make payments on their vehicles, signaling the company's growing presence on Apple's iOS platform.

[Vendome]

I am even considering getting one.

The form and footprint are perfect for my needs and I can do my presentations from this and it has many other uses.

[stripes1776]

Most of my remote access to work is for server management, but ironically these things came along just about the time that I've started changing over from GUI to command line based management tools. Still trying to figure out how they'd work in that environment.

You can get an SSH app on the iPad to login in to a server remotely. Go to the Apple App Store and do a search. There are lost of these apps available. However, if you need to do a lot of typing, you will probably want to get a wireless keyboard as well.

[RegulatorCountry]

Haven't seen any in the engineering world at NASA.

I guess iPads don't make Muslims feel good about their contributions to science.

[tacticalogic]

You can get an SSH app on the iPad to login in to a server remotely. Go to the Apple App Store and do a search. There are lost of these apps available. However, if you need to do a lot of typing, you will probably want to get a wireless keyboard as well.

I expect I'd need to get something to hold the IPad up while I type, too, unless I hold it in one hand and hunt 'n peck (aka "search and destroy") with the other.

[PA Engineer]

When the iPad came out, I was thinking I was going to pass it up since I didn’t really need it. I kept looking at it in the stores and when the first day for the 3G came around, I stood in line to get one.

I am sooo happy I did. Originally I was wowed by iBooks which most people are but didn’t think I’d find uses for it beyond using apps and email. But I found that I never have to lug my MacBook Pro with me and I always carry the iPad. I really like web surfing on it as it easy to re-size the type.

Same here. I was lacking in imagination on the potential applications. The more I thought of it the more I realized how groundbreaking the iPad was. Many people do not need a laptop or desktop computer. They surf the net, email, watch videos, listen to music and process photos. Bingo! Very large sector of the technology market.

I began to think more about other potential corporate applications and even that universe began to expand from Drug Reps to Bankers. My wife is a Neurologist who does nonstop educational lectures and I was going to get her an Air in addition to her MacBook. Obviously the iPad would be a better choice for weight and capabilities. Why purchase a redundant computer?

Finally, when I travel I like my MacAir for weight and durability. When the iPad models upgrade with camera for video conferencing there will be less of a need for me even to lug around that "heavy" 3 pounder.

This really was a brilliant marketing move on the part of Apple. Indeed it was never meant to replace the desktop or laptop in all applications, but was to open new markets and to replace laptops were computing power is not a necessity. I think it will definitely impact the low end laptop computer market.

[dayglored]

> If you only use your iPad at home with WIFI, you don't need a plan at all.

[Raises hand.] Yep, that's me.

Well, I might end up at least looking at one in the coming weeks. My trusty old 1st-gen iPod Touch lost its mind yesterday, and it doesn't want to come back. I suspect either the battery has gone south or the charging circuit died. So being a tinkerer, I'm having the "repair vs. replace" conversation with myself, and the thought emerges, why not an iPad, since shirt-pocket portability is not an issue -- I use the thing only at home, for music, reading, and entertainment, and the iPod screen is too small for some things I'd like to do with it. So maybe an iPad makes more sense.

I'll check back in a few days and let you know what I'm thinking... too soon to tell. I'm still reading the "How to disassemble your 1st Gen iPod Touch" pages on the interwebs... doesn't look too bad. Although tonight I'm feeling lazy. Good thing the stores are closed. (No, don't tell me to order it over the net, la-la-la-la-la-la-la). I gotta think about it... ;-)

[SunkenCiv]

Aw, dammit, I was expecting a Tombstone-style shootout, and all I see is kumbaya. This is *your* fault. ;’)

[coon2000]

You are setting it up on an iPad, right? If you go into the network settings, the built in VPN can easily be configured for L2TP, PPTP or Cisco’s IPSEC. I set it up using L2TP, and after having set up a number of VPN’s, I can honestly say that this was the easiest one, no headaches or problems at all in making it connect. I then went to the App Store and bought Real VNC viewer to connect to desktops.

[AFreeBird]

Use the net Luke... Use the net.

[dayglored]

> Use the net Luke... Use the net.

I dunno, could be dangerous... or I could learn that Steve Jobs is actually my father...

[martin_fierro]

I LOL'd.

(no Flash)

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[tacticalogic]

Aw, dammit, I was expecting a Tombstone-style shootout, and all I see is kumbaya. This is *your* fault. ;’)

I've gotta cut Swordmaker some slack. He might be the only other person on the site who knows who Ron Reil is.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s an unusual hobby. :’)

[Locomotive Breath]

I guess iPads don't make Muslims feel good about their contributions to science.

You beat me to it.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Engineers at NASA will soon be replaced by interpreters who speak Arabic and Farsi. Maybe you will then be able to get out more.

:-)

[coconutt2000]

The iPad has certainly impacted the low end notebook market. People who want easy access to content (content consumers) are the primary audience for the iPad.