So you have heard about the tablet revolution and you would like to get involved. you know the iPad is the premier device but you don't have $500+ dollars in your piggy bank (or you have already maxed out your credit cards).
We all know that the Apple iPad is the coolest toy around right now for reading eBooks, doing Video Chat, and Browsing the Web; but did you know that there are solid business reasons for your boss to put an iPad in your hand right now?
So put on your best clothes, get to work early, rehearse your speech, take a deep breath, and stride in to your boss's office to let him or her know why you should be using an Apple iPad.
E-mail, Contacts, and Calendars
The iPad has built in Apps for checking e-mail, managing contacts, and updating your calendars. It works with most e-mail servers. You can add multiple mail accounts to your iPad Mail App. You can check mail from Yahoo, Gmail, POP, and IMAP mail servers. Better yet, if your company uses Microsoft Exchange Server (and they probably do), Your shiny new iPad will be able to synchronize with that as well.
Secure Access to Company Resources
The iPad has the capability to access Virtual Private Networks or VPNs so you will have secure access to your company's resources. It supports L2TP, PPTP, Cisco IPSec out of the box. If you need to connect via SSL VPN, your IT guy can download an App for you from the App store. Authentication can be done by password, two-factor token, or digital certificate. This may sound complicated by just remember to pepper your speech with words like "safe" and "secure". Your boss will get the point.
Better way to share and collaborate
How many times have you had to call a colleague or your boss over to your cubicle to show them something? Have you ever carried your laptop like a waiter's tray into someone else's office to show them some figures? The iPad can change the way you share information with others. It's light, portable, and has a beautiful crisp display. How about in the field, with customers? You don't have to pull out your laptop, plug it in, and boot it up. Now you can just take your iPad out of your briefcase (or purse) and instantly share your content with your customers. It's got a 10 hour battery life so you don't have to worry about it shutting down in the middle of a presentation. And speaking of presentations; you can connect the iPad to an HD monitor or TV with a Digital AV adapter kit or the AppleTV if you want to stream your content wirelessly. Every thing on you iPad can be mirrored on "the big screen"
Touch Screen Goodness
What better way to impress your customers than with the snazzy new touch screen interface on the iPad? Nothing says "our company is on the cutting edge" better than showing your proficiency with the iPad's touch screen interface. customers will say "Wow you guys use iPads!" Or more likely they will nod approvingly and try to pretend that they all have iPads too (they wish). Nothing places your company on a pedestal more that some good old-fashioned envy.
Instant communication
Missed phone calls, garbled e-mails, unread memos, voice mail phone-tag; We've all experienced this before. With the iPad's video chat capabilities (FaceTime, Skype, Vtok, Fring etc.) you can have instant, face-to-face contact from anywhere with a WIFI connection (or anywhere with cell phone coverage if you have a 3G model) Nothing says "read my lips" better than face-to-face communication. You can also switch to the back facing camera to show others what is going on around you. What a great way to keep everyone updated!
Apps that change the way you work
The built in apps that come with the iPad are awesome. The Apple apps available from the App Store are even better. And with thousands of new 3rd party apps being released every day, who's to say what the future holds? Presentation and collaboration is only the beginning. iPads can be used for new employee orientation, training manuals, workflow optimization, GPS tracking information etc. The list goes on and on. Not bad for a "toy".
The Rest is up to You
I hope I've given you enough ammunition. The ball is in your court so to speak. There are of course many more reasons to use an iPad at your office. Maybe more reasons that fit your specific situation will come to mind. Remember to speak with confidence and poise. You're not asking for a private bathroom or a corner office. You're asking for a tool that will increase your productivity and your value to the company. Best of luck to you.
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