Everyday more and more iPads show up in boardrooms across the globe. While many classify the iPad as a consumer device, corporate IT departments are going have to support them. Below I have created a list of iPad applications that can be leveraged by business users.
Pages is Apple’s answer to Microsoft Word and extends its word processing capabilities to the iPad. Pages includes many of the rich features users have come to expect out of a word processing application. Pages allows users to edit documents created in Word and then save them as Word, PDF, or it’s native Pages format. The files can be sent via a host of different methods including email, iWork, MobileMe, iDisk, WebDAV, Mac or PC. Pages is $9.99, available in the iTunes store.
Numbers is a spreadsheet application developed by Apple and is similar to Microsoft Excel. Numbers allows iPad users to create and edit spreadsheets on the go and save them in Numbers, Excel, or PDF format to a host of different locations. These are the same locations available to Pages listed above. Numbers is $9.99, available in the iTunes store
Keynote is the mobile version of Apple’s world-class presentation software. The mobile version brings editing and presenting to the iPad. Coupled with the iPad’s adapter to connect to a projector, Keynote allows a presenter to deliver an entire presentation from their iPad. Like the other applications in the iWork suite, Keynote is compatible with Microsoft technologies, i.e. Powerpoint, and allows users to share files across the methods listed above for Pages. Keynote is $9.99, available in the iTunes store
Dropbox (http://www.dropbox.com) is a cloud solution for syncing files between multiple computers. Its multi-platform support including iOS devices like the iPhone and the iPad. Leveraging Dropbox allows iPad users to have their files wherever they are. The files modified on the users desktop or home computer will be synced and available on their iPad. Dropbox is free, available in the iTunes store
Desktop Connect delivers terminal server access to the iPad, allowing users to connect computers around the world. Desktop Connect is a cross platform viewer that works with Windows, Mac OSX and Linux computers. This allows users to leverage the power of their desktop PC from a mobile device. Desktop Connect is $14.99, available in the iTunes store
Roambi is a data visualization application that allows users to have powerful business intelligence tools in the palm of their hand. Roambi creates dynamic dashboards that allow users to analyze data and provide the insight to make critical business decisions. Roambi is free, available in the iTunes store
OmniGraffle is a diagraming tool similar to Microsoft Visio product. With OmniGraffle users can create diagrams, process charts, page layouts, graphic designs, and more. OmniGraffle does not limit users to a standard shape library but allow freehand sketching for greater design control of documents. OmniGraffle is $49.99, available through the iTunes store.
Evernote is a note taking application that records text, photo, and audio notes. Evernote is a cloud based service that will sync these notes with other computers and devices. Evernote include Optical Character Recognition or OCR that will allow text in images to be searchable. Evernote is free, available in the iTunes store
Fuze Messenger brings Office Communicator to the iPhone. Fuze Messenger extends beyond Office Communicator to allow instant message capability with services like AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, and Facebook. Fuze Messenger is free, available in the iTunes store.
Dragon Dictation is a voice recognition application that allows users to take notes without having to type anything. Dragon Dictation allows users to dictate long emails and messages without spending lots of time typing them out. Dragon Dictation is free, available in the iTunes store
Documents To Go – Office Suite allows users to create, edit and view Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, iWork, and other files. Documents To Go allows direct access to files stored on cloud based services like Google Docs, Dropbox, Box.net, iDisk, and SugarSync. Documents To Go is $9.99, available in the iTunes store.
Writepad is a note taking and text editing application powered by handwriting on the iPad’s screen. Writepad allows users to use the iPad as they would a standard notebook and includes the ability to sync these documents to a PC or MAC. Writepad is $3.99, available in the iTunes store
USA Today on the iPad delivers a full version of the current news in the USA Today. The application includes the ability to download stories and save them for offline reading or share them with others via email, Facebook, or Twitter. USA Today is free, available in the iTunes store.
Instapaper allows users to save any webpage for later reading. This allows users to take any webpage with them when they disconnect form the web. Instapaper allows users to share the Tumblr, Twitter, or email. Instapaper is $4.99, available in the iTunes store.
Google Mobile App brings Google’s services to one location. The app allows users to search by voice in multiple languages. The app includes a launcher for many of its popular web applications. For uses who take advantage of GMail or Google Calendar, Push notifications are available for reminders or new messages. The Google Mobile App is free, available in the iTunes store.
Citrix provides a connection solution that provides secure access to virtual desktops, applications and data. This app allows Citrix users the ability to access their desktop wherever they are. If your business is leveraging Citrix technologies, this app is a must. The Citrix app is free, available in the iTunes store.
Kindle is Amazon.com’s eReader platform that is available on PC, Mac, Mobile Devices, and the Web. Kindle will sync books, bookmarks, and notes across all of these platforms. Books can be purchased from the Amazon.com Kindle store. The Kindle app is free, available in the iTunes store.
1Password for iPad is an application designed to store a users passwords for various websites and applications. 1Password can securely store and sync these passwords to a PC or Mac with its Dropbox integration. 1Password is $9.99 available in the iTunes store.
Twitter has developed a native application that delivers a rich social media experience to iPad users. The Twitter app is free, available in the iTunes store.
