Tablets are the craze right now in the consumer electronics circles, and not just limited to gadget geeks. A walk through any airport and I see grandma's as well as 6 year olds using them. The next big question is, are they useful for business applications? The answer is a big YES.
Now when I say tablets, I'm really only referring to the Apple iPad, lets face it, the hardware is only as good as the apps you can install on it. If we look at the first tablet integration with businesses, it was Windows laptops that flipped over into a tablet. The problem here was size and weight, these things are just not practical. And you were limited to high priced software only written for this platform. The iPad changes all that, lets look at some business uses for this fantastic devise.
- Paperless Contracts - Your sales rep or service person can go out sign a new client or complete a job and have the client sign on the dotted line, contract or service order is emailed to the office and processed while your people are still on the road.
- Email - Communication via email, with clients or the office.
- GPS - Turn by turn GPS applications make it easy for your drivers to find a location.
- Camera - Take quick and easy photos or videos of any job site, problem, or before and after for your website.
- Video Chat - This is a great tool to chat face to face with your staff while on the road.
- Two Way Radio - There are great apps like "HeyTell" that can turn your iPad into a Nextel two way radio. Quick question just tap and talk.
- Calendar and CRM - Need client info or need to schedule an appointment, just tap and write.
- Credit Card Processing - There are a bunch of credit card processing apps available and even an accessory that allows you to swipe a card and have the customer sign right there.
- Check In - Want to monitor your staff as they make it to an account, several apps allow you to keep track of where your drivers have been.
- Voice Recording - Take simple voice recordings to remind yourself about a job.
- Time Clocks - Want to measure how long a job has taken.
