iPad penetration into the corporate market

Posted by: winkyincanada on 14 December 2010

One thing that has surprised me over the past few months is how often I see iPads used in the corporate environment. For example, our board members all now receive their board papers from "the cloud" via a secure ( Confused) app.

I don't know whether Apple saw this coming. I think they may have seen it as a consumer device.

I think part of the allure for people is that it is a status symbol. To carry an iPad at work is to say something like...

"I'm so important now that other people actually do the real work. I just need something to read documents and do e-mail. I've been promoted beyond where I have to work on spreadsheets and write long reports. Certainly beyond Autocad etc and and other technical software. I'm a big deal. A big swinging dick. Yes."

Any thoughts? (I don't have a corporate iPad btw)
Posted on: 14 December 2010 by Bananahead
At the large international bank that I work for a lot of people have a Blackberry. But then people started asking to be able to use an iPhone instead. And now they ask to be able to use iPads. But there are very real problems with security so it is taking a while.
Posted on: 14 December 2010 by Jono 13
Blackberrys are secure, iPhones and iPads much less so.

Jono
Posted on: 15 December 2010 by lutyens
We allow Blackberrys at work but have insisted that if staff want to use an iphone they buy their own! The same goes for ipads although only a few have asked. The ipad is really only a window and as I run a design studio and an ipad is better than a Blackberry as it can display drawings, I am relunctant to have everyone jumping on the trend until such things as security are sorted out.

I don't even have a Blackberry! My view/fear is that instant access means that the client expects an instant response! A few hours usually makes little difference. If it is urgent then a phone call works just as well. I also note that in meetings you can tell when its over 'cos everyone is starting to play/send emails on their balckberrys. Annoying in board meetings!

Mind you I said the same about Faxes!

atb
james
Posted on: 15 December 2010 by TomK
Every other TV presenter now has what appears to be an iPad in his or her hand.
Posted on: 15 December 2010 by Guido Fawkes
It amazes me that people still use PCs and old fashioned laptops - when they could use an Amiga like me.

Blackberries are no more secure than iPads

For example

Last year it was possible to take control of servers running BlackBerry systems by sending emails with "infected" attachments in PDF format. If the victim opens these infected attachments, the malicious code would then install a copy of it on to the servers and thereby help hackers send covert e-mails or even hack into the corporate e-mail database and steal confidential information

However, as a responsible company Research in Motion fixed this problem. They also released a decent paper on

Mobile Security

As for the iPad, Juniper has released Junos Pulse App on iPad IOS 4.2, which enables secure remote access and connectivity to an enterprise. It's free from Apple iTunes App Store. This works with Juniper's Secure Access gateways and unified access control. It is a response to demand for customers to abandon old fashioned laptop PCs and join the iPad revolution.

BTW the same app is available for Android, BlackBerry and Symbian and something called Windoze Mobile (whatever that is).

No sign of an Amiga application yet though Frown

Love or hate some of the new technology - it is here so we need to get used it or be left behind ... who knows where the time goes.
Posted on: 17 December 2010 by musfed
As a relationamanager in Holland I meet many ICT companies in Health Care. Slowly Blackberries are traded in for an iPhone. My company let their employees choose between a HTC and an iPhone. Many of my colligues choose the iPhone.
And in meetings the iPad is starting to replace laptops. Often used with that kinky bluetooth keyboard Apple sells. It's very easy to have the agenda and the notes for a meeting on the iPad. Less paper and weight (heavy laptop's people still carry arround).
Posted on: 17 December 2010 by MilesSmiles
Apple has worked from the beginning with many companies to develop business apps, I am as well surprised how quickly they got deeper into this market and just wish my company would follow suit.
Posted on: 19 December 2010 by okli
I visited a local Apple store yesterday and I was wondering - how long it will take before Steve Jobs will learn from the PowerPC era... C'mon guys what is this all about - I should buy EUR 600 unit and if I want to get my downloads I have to power up another comp. Or if I want to print something I have to buy one of the 5 HP printers (or again power up another PC), even if I have a unit almost the same size as my macbook 13".
Posted on: 19 December 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by okli:
I visited a local Apple store yesterday and I was wondering - how long it will take before Steve Jobs will learn from the PowerPC era... C'mon guys what is this all about - I should buy EUR 600 unit and if I want to get my downloads I have to power up another comp. Or if I want to print something I have to buy one of the 5 HP printers (or again power up another PC), even if I have a unit almost the same size as my macbook 13".


Who wants or needs to print anything these days?

We hardly ever connect our iPad to one of our Macs. We just get apps and other downloads straight over WiFi. We sometimes refresh our movies and TV shows on the iPad prior to travel, but the amount that the iPad holds even makes this a relatively infrequent need. The iPad doesn't pretend to be a computer. It is something else altogether.
Posted on: 19 December 2010 by Alamanka
I am a bit surprised to read that some people consider the Ipad a "business" tool. I suspect there is mostly a desire to experiment something different.

Personally I also would like to enjoy something like an Ipad, but not for business.

In past months, on three occasions I went to the store thinking I would purchase one, but every time I tried it, I was unconvinced. To me the UI is not that intuitive. I also find the device heavy and the screen is not big enough. I opened the browser and red the Naim forum, to my eyes it did not look very readable. Then I tried to type using the screen keyboard, but without a real keyboard I had to type one letter at a time, so it is not very fast. Essentially I was disappointed every time I saw the real object. I still love the concept, though.

Maybe next version...
Posted on: 21 December 2010 by Occean
We use them with great success, they are perfect for board members, who just require the ability to read and not edit, as this is done for them before hand as expected.

I think we are still in the infancy of what these devices can do.

I cannot comment on security, we leave that to IT, but they only recently allowed iphones and pads to receive emails.
Posted on: 21 December 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by Alamanka:
I am a bit surprised to read that some people consider the Ipad a "business" tool.


So was I. That was the point of the thread. Seems it is actually both useful (for some) and "different" (for now, at least).
Posted on: 21 December 2010 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by Alamanka:
I am a bit surprised to read that some people consider the Ipad a "business" tool. I suspect there is mostly a desire to experiment something different.

Personally I also would like to enjoy something like an Ipad, but not for business.

In past months, on three occasions I went to the store thinking I would purchase one, but every time I tried it, I was unconvinced. To me the UI is not that intuitive. I also find the device heavy and the screen is not big enough. I opened the browser and red the Naim forum, to my eyes it did not look very readable. Then I tried to type using the screen keyboard, but without a real keyboard I had to type one letter at a time, so it is not very fast. Essentially I was disappointed every time I saw the real object. I still love the concept, though.

Maybe next version...


I'd like to know what you're comparing it to. Our senior management are falling over themselves to get one because they seem to disagree with all of your comments, as do I. I found it light, the almost full sized keyboard was more than acceptable, and I'll be buying one as soon as I can afford it.
Posted on: 21 December 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
quote:
Originally posted by Alamanka:
I am a bit surprised to read that some people consider the Ipad a "business" tool. I suspect there is mostly a desire to experiment something different.

Personally I also would like to enjoy something like an Ipad, but not for business.

In past months, on three occasions I went to the store thinking I would purchase one, but every time I tried it, I was unconvinced. To me the UI is not that intuitive. I also find the device heavy and the screen is not big enough. I opened the browser and red the Naim forum, to my eyes it did not look very readable. Then I tried to type using the screen keyboard, but without a real keyboard I had to type one letter at a time, so it is not very fast. Essentially I was disappointed every time I saw the real object. I still love the concept, though.

Maybe next version...


I'd like to know what you're comparing it to. Our senior management are falling over themselves to get one because they seem to disagree with all of your comments, as do I. I found it light, the almost full sized keyboard was more than acceptable, and I'll be buying one as soon as I can afford it.


You won't regret it. A truly wonderful product. We just love ours. Not a PC, but it doesn't try to be, either.
Posted on: 21 December 2010 by garyi
HOw anyone can state its unintuitive is beyond me, aside from something that can read your mind I don;'t know how it can get easier.
Posted on: 22 December 2010 by MilesSmiles
quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
HOw anyone can state its unintuitive is beyond me, aside from something that can read your mind I don;'t know how it can get easier.


Agree, although at times I could swear it reads my mind too.
Posted on: 22 December 2010 by Peter Dinh
I would prefer the Macbook Air though.
Posted on: 23 December 2010 by mudwolf
Don't worry, in 3 years all will be wiped away and new technology in place.

I went to Disney Hall for a concert when iPads had just come out. two guys sat next to me and talked about a trip back east, one whipped out his iPad right then and made reservations. I said "I'm soooo envious." He laughed.

I still like my iMac on my desk and my iPhone only gets 20% of potential use but I"m learning one app at a time. I hated my old cell phone, so awful to use with my bad eyesight.

I can't stand having people interrupt a conversation to use their phone or pad. I don't think the size of your apparatus has anything to do with your importance.
Posted on: 23 December 2010 by Alamanka
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
I'd like to know what you're comparing it to. Our senior management are falling over themselves to get one because they seem to disagree with all of your comments, as do I. I found it light, the almost full sized keyboard was more than acceptable, and I'll be buying one as soon as I can afford it.


Not so long ago, the same Senior people would only accept paper documents. Interesting how people evolve.

Personally, I am used to work with an IBM Thinkpad with a 15.6 XGA screen (the old ones, not the current 16:9 format) and a full size keyboard. You can read on it, you can type, you can run powerful applications. I am used to it, so for me it is "intuitive". It is well adapted for business.

But for leisure, I would prefer a different device. Having seen the Ipad and used a Samsung phone, I think I would like something with approximately the following specifications:
- screen size: 14'
- weight: no more than 300g
- sliding keyboard
- preferably Android OS
- price: $700 at most

Hopefully, Christmas 2011.
Posted on: 26 December 2010 by musfed
quote:
I would prefer the Macbook Air though.


I just bought the Air in the "ultimate" version and I can only make am really deep bow. Still have to carry around a (13inch) heavy Dell laptop for working purposes, hate it already. The leap Apple made with this new Air is great.
Just yesterday I saw the first advert in a Dutch business magazine for Macbooks and other Apple products. They're taking the leap. And my guess is they will succeed. When my manager will make me choose between a new Macbook (or Air.....) and a Dell or HP, I'll choose a Apple product right away.
This Air is my second Apple product (first one being an iPhone).
Posted on: 13 January 2011 by living in lancs yearning for yorks
quote:
Originally posted by Alamanka:
But for leisure, I would prefer a different device. Having seen the Ipad and used a Samsung phone, I think I would like something with approximately the following specifications:
- screen size: 14'
- weight: no more than 300g
- sliding keyboard
- preferably Android OS
- price: $700 at most

Hopefully, Christmas 2011.


Wow - a 14 foot screen! Did you mean inches?

Sorry - feeling mischievous - and pedantic Big Grin
Posted on: 13 January 2011 by EJS
Posted on: 20 April 2011 by Willy

Just handed one of these a coupe of hours ago. Surprised, nay shocked that it wouldn't cooperate until I'd downloaded itunes onto my PC. WTF! Had assumed that it would be all cloud based, you know like Android:-)

 

Eventually got itunes and store on the PC to speak English but no joy with the ipad itself yet. So far not a compelling (business) user experience and going forward I can see the itunes dependancy as a real impediment. In the space of a few hours I have progressed from disliking itunes to positively hating it!

 

Also a shame that no-one thought to order a sim card as the standard sized ones we have won't fit.

 

Willy.

 

Posted on: 20 April 2011 by Willy

Found some info on the Apple support sites. It would appear that Apple base the language for itunes and app store on the ipad on the network provider you're connected to. There doesn't appear to be any override for this (unlike in itunes on the PC where I was able to change the preferences for the store to UK). I guess it'll be ok when I get an O2 micro-sim, or indeed when I get home and connect through a UK ISP. Still I feel for the guy trying to use his iPad in an Israeli airport. Suspect that my German is slightly better than his Hebrew:-)

 

Willy.

Posted on: 20 April 2011 by tonym

I've had my iPad for a week or so now and I love it to bits! Super for looking stuff up quickly but I'm not doing too well with Angry Birds.