TFI iPad Digest - Week Ending Dec 9, 2011

TFI iPad Digest - Week Ending Dec 2, 2011

Good tips in this newsletter!

New User? This e-book is for you!

I came across this e-book on Slideshare.net. It's free and provides an excellent overview of many of the considerations that are important to a new iPad user.

The PDF can be downloaded from Slideshare.net (you need an account) and put directly into your PDF reader tool (GoodReader, iBooks or PDF Expert for me) for easy referral. Enjoy - let me know if you find it useful!

Ipad basics 1.0

View more documents from Rene Torres Visso

TFI iPad Digest - Week Ending Nov 18, 2011

TFI iPad Digest - Week Ending Nov 11, 2011

TFI iPad Digest - Week Ending Nov 4, 2011

iPad Newsletter - October 28, 2011 (inspiration, iPad use tips, the "big picture" technology trends, and photo app recommendations

Mobility and Tech Trends - Get Educated!

Much of what is driving the astounding sale of the iPad is the "bigger" picture. What would that be? Movement to a mobile environment (operate anytime, anywhere is becoming expected), cloud computing, consumerization of IT, and Big Data are all playing a part - due to the iPad's ability to leverage these capabilities or improve the processes around one of these factors.

Do you find that you hear these terms - "mobility, cloud computing, Consumerization of IT, and Big Data" a lot? - and don't really grasp what all that means? Start reading this resource and it will start to make sense. Change is rapid, and it's speed will only increase!

iPad Newsletter - Week Ending October 21

Steve Jobs Biography Released October 24

This Storify compilation was prepared by CBC Books. It pulls together some initial reviews of the book. If you are thinking about buying or reading it, this is a great place to start!

iPad Newsletter - Week Ending October 14

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Thornhill's iPad Newsletter for the week ending Oct 7 contains no iPad information – it is merely a compilation of things that have crossed the internet since Steve Jobs passed away (October 5, 2011). There was some very neat things done and I thought it would be interesting to compile my favorites.

Simply the Coolest Logo Design Post-Steve Jobs

Imagine if Apple actually did something with this and used it!


Darren Rovell on WhoSay

Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011

Tributes - just pictures. This says it all!

Thornhill iPad Review Newsletter - Week Ending Sept 30

Included below is the most recent iPad newsletter. If you would like to receive directly (issued each Friday), simply subscribe (provided at the bottom of the newsletter).

Thornhill iPad Review Newsletter - Week Ending Sept 23

Included below is the latest weekly iPad newsletter. If you would like to receive directly (issued each Friday), simply subscribe (provided at the bottom of the newsletter).

Thornhill iPad Review Newsletter - Week Ending Sept 16

Included below is the latest weekly iPad newsletter. If you would like to receive directly, when it is issued each Friday, simply subscribe (provided at the bottom of the newsletter).

Thornhill iPad Review Newsletter - Week Ending Sept 9

Our first issue of the "iPad Review Newsletter" was emailed on Friday, Sept 9, 2011. The newsletter is included below. If you would like to receive a copy directly to your email inbox, simply signup at the bottom of the newsletter. We hope you find it useful!

Please provide any comments below!

Not iPad, per se

Excellent TED talk about leaders (companies, individuals) who inspire and how they do it. One of his examples is Apple. Apply this thinking to the iPad and it is pretty obvious why it is so successful!

Evernote & Instapaper; Insight and Use

Using Storify, I put together this brief reference document looking at Evernote and Instapaper, two apps that I find indispensable to operating in a mobile environment. Neither of these two apps is especially intuitive to pick up and use, ut spend a little bit of time with each and it will change your organization and reading/news gathering process dramatically!

iPadCTO Whitepaper – “Apps – The Second Wave of IT Consumerization”

I just finished reading a new whitepaper published by Bill French, at iPadCTO.com and found it full of some pretty insightful information.

To just highlight a few areas I found particularly interesting:

• A survey conducted by IDC-Unisys in June 2010 contains excellent statistics regarding the overall trend of consumer uses of technology moving into the enterprise. I think everyone is aware of this trend which is underway, but facts around it really cause you to pause and try to think about what this means. And Bill provides a link directly the report within his whitepaper – very helpful! So if you review the whitepaper on your iPad, the IDC survey is one tap away. Personally, this interactive capability has absolutely changed the way I prepare documents/presentations AND changed my expectations of what I want in documents I receive.
  
• "Enterprise App Chaos, A Simple Scenario" – It is fairly obvious that if an organization provides iPads to its executives, sales people, etc., there is a substantial "ramp up" process. In this section of his whitepaper, Bill provides an excellent example where he attempts to quantify the time and effort the iPad conversion will take. It is a reasonable scenario and a little eye-opening to say the least!
  
• Under the section "Guideposts for Enterprise Resource App Planning", Bill provides a useful framework for identifying mobile apps for work activities around six key task areas. While each person may view the groups slightly differently, it is a great starting point for anyone (or business) venturing into the iPad or mobile app environment.
  

Definitely worth a read – enjoy!

A dozen benefits of Dropbox file storage

This is a nice summary of the significant benefits of Dropbox.

A dozen benefits of Dropbox file storage – and some caveats « NspireD2: Learning Technology in Higher Ed.

Driving Log on the iPad (with Google Docs)

My son recently got his temporary driving permit, which started us down the road of accumulating driving hours. Since our family uses iPhones, iPads and Droids, we all have easy access to posting data online.

Thus, we used Google Docs to set up a driving log for him to track his time behind the wheel. Although it may not be necessary, it has become his responsibility to record all time he spends driving (which he does through a Google Doc Form through his Android phone). My wife and I can add comments, etc. as necessary for each other to see.

Although this isn't iPad specific, the seamless integration of Google Docs with the iPad makes this a very simple solution to something that every family with a new driver must address in some fashion. And we are happy it teaches my son to be responsible (just a little bit..)

The input form screenshot:

The Google Doc spreadsheet, which shows all of the input is here:

Granted, this is a small thing, but the ease of use and flexibility of the iPad made this very simple to do.

Here is a link to a generic driving log that I posted to the Google Docs Gallery that is available to anyone.  You can easily obtain the spreadsheet and customize the form to your own preferences.

New Content Sharing Tool - Yokto.tv

I recently learned of a service offered by Yotko.com that lets you collect and embed video from multiple sources and embed them all in a single player on your website (or in this case, a blog post).  I am giving it my first attempt here, where I have embedded several videos and slideshare presentations that address three of my favorite iPad applications - GoodReader, Dropbox and Box.net.  GoodReader is a content management app for the iPad; Dropbox and Box.net are file synchronization services that not only have standalone apps for the iPad, but synchronize seamlessly with the Goodreader (and many other document managers).


See the video compilation below:



I intend to update the video compilation as I become aware of more interesting stuff...

Thornhill is Sponsoring iPad Webinars

In the near future, Thornhill Financial will be offering webinars regarding the iPad.

These webinars will consist of "how-to" training, as well as providing insight we have gained from working with clients on integrating the tablet into their business processes (presenting different scenarios that may be relevant to your use). We believe these webinars will serve as a great "springboard" into either starting with the iPad, or taking it further if you are already a user.

We will only notify individuals who have specifically signed up to be notified of future events. Please click here to sign up for notification. Also, feel free to pass along to anyone else you know that may be interested.

If there are any questions or comments, please contact me. Thanks!

How Does the iPad Make Me a Better Accountant?

Recently, that very question was posed to me by Rick Telberg, the President and CEO of Bay Street Group, and the publisher of CPATrendlines (www.cpatrendlines.com). It's a very simple question, but not so simple to answer. The next day I sent an email out trying to capture what the iPad has done for me – I have included the edited response below.

"How does the iPad make me a better accountant?"

That is a great question and an interesting challenge to boil it up into something relatively concise. First, in my opinion, the question is (and a focus of our practice) "How does the iPad enable us to provide more value to our clients?"

This broader perspective drives a focus on not only how we can personally do things more efficiently, but how can our clients/executives (and potential clients) gain value from this new tool and our expertise?

We have had the opportunity over the last year to work with Bill French, the founder of iPadCTO.com and a tech visionary. His insight has proven invaluable in trying to put into words the value gained once someone starts down the road with the iPad. Two phrases which Bill uses repeatedly in our discussions are "Situational Awareness" and "Information Agility" – I am not sure if they originated from Bill, but that is where we first heard them. In our opinion, they accurately summarize the areas where the iPad has the biggest benefit, from a business perspective.

1. Situational Awareness. This simply refers to being aware of information quicker, from whatever source. We operate in an "information industry" and every professional deals with an incredible volume of information sources, both personal and professional (email, websites, blogs, RSS feeds, Google Alerts, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.). The challenge is to have a process that facilitates getting at those resources quickly, easily, and as seamlessly as possible.
   
   The iPad basically serves as "command central" for this purpose. It is simple to manage multiple (currently five in my case) email accounts, calendars, etc., seamlessly with a simple tap or two. All news, technical research, and any other information sources are available in literally a few seconds.
   
2. Information Agility. This refers to being able to access any information, anytime. In fact, the iPad simply "enables information access – anything, anytime, anywhere, with anyone". That is truly a paradigm shift in how we handle and process information. Once that simple concept is grasped, we believe the value proposition of the iPad quickly becomes obvious.
   
   So what does that mean in the daily work routine? It means accessing any information (marketing, reference materials, client materials, technical research, etc.) anytime. If it is not stored locally on the iPad – and much of it isn't – it is available from cloud services we use or by accessing our personal firm workstations remotely. Translated into real life, it means:
   
   
   1. Remote operating capabilities are exponentially improved. We have the ability to respond to client requests immediately – nothing has to wait until later.
      
   2. Questions in meetings with clients and prospects are addressed immediately. Materials are mailed right in front of the client. It makes quite a statement when a topic comes up – unplanned – and you can respond right then with information that they need, emailed immediately.
      
   3. Documents have become much more interactive. Since everything is now handled digitally, any embedded links, etc. are accessible right from the document on the iPad. This includes client documents, reports, marketing materials, etc. Additionally, the quantity of paper printed has decreased dramatically.
      

I mentioned at the outset that the iPad enables us to provide greater value to our clients. They not only value us for the compliance accounting and tax services that we provide, but we demonstrate on a regular basis that we are a business advisor looking out for the their best interests. The iPad has taken this to another level and enabled us to develop a unique consulting niche as a result.

Here are just two primary areas where we see value to clients/executives around simplifying information access, critical to their business.

• iPad customized Dashboard reporting. There are a number of apps for the iPad that are game-changing for small business. Business intelligence reporting has become simple to implement, at a very affordable price, for virtually any business. That was not the case before the iPad. I am a fan of the RoamBI app, but there are several that I am aware of that are very good.
  
• Content libraries – It is now very feasible, and easy, to house an entire library of content on the iPad. The content can be anything – video, audio, pictures, documents, etc.
  

We recently completed a project for a public company to develop an "information portal" to public filings – for the Company and its competitors. They now have access to any public filing (or major agreements – say a bank Credit Facility agreement and any amendments) immediately. As I explained to the CFO, "Imagine you are going to an analyst meeting in NY City, sitting in the back of a cab. You want to look at your competitor's recent 10-K because a question might arise. Tap, tap – you have it in front of you in 20 seconds." That is the type of access that is made possible by the iPad and it's always connected capability.

And, of course, as companies get comfortable with the technology, they will continue to find ways to leverage it into their business.

We have conducted numerous iPad training sessions and not only have our clients been very interested, it has become a great vehicle to introduce additional companies to our firm. Obviously, we see tremendous opportunity with the tablet device. The "Post-PC" era is clearly upon us. Of course, for accountants, I do not believe that it will replace a computer simply due to the more complex data creation that we do. But the reality is that much of our work, at the senior management level, is not creating, but reviewing, analyzing and communicating.

iPad Adoption and Use Survey

Thornhill is conducting a survey of iPad use. This is a brief 10 question survey that can be completed in 2-3 minutes. It is designed to give a sense of how users primarily use their iPads today, and what they would like to understand better in order to maximize their efficiency with the device.

Please help us out with the survey – it would be much appreciated and will only take a few moments of your time. Thanks in advance for your participation. If you provide an email address (this is an option in the survey), the results will be compiled and distributed once it is complete!

Click here to access the survey! Thank you!

iPad File Managers

Recently, I investigated file managers/document viewers for the iPad. This came about because I use numerous cloud based storage services (Dropbox, Google Docs, MobileMe and SugarSync). Although I primarily use Dropbox, it has become quite a headache to keep track of where I have different files stored. Due to different client responsibilities, I manage multiple Dropbox accounts, multiple Google Docs accounts, etc. Needless to say, I was motivated to find if a solution existed to solve my issues. In other words – "Is there an app for that?"

Fundamentally, my goal was to determine if I could manage all of my cloud services directly from the iPad. So the following was particularly important to me:

1. Integration of multiple cloud services and the ability to do two-way syncing between the iPad and the Cloud service.
   
2. A variety of viewing options – can I view most documents and file types within the File Manager app without having to open a separate app?
   
3. Search capabilities – I wanted to search the cloud services within the app (and across cloud services, if possible)
   
4. Ease of use and sharing/transferring among other iPad app capabilities
   

Frankly, I was overwhelmed with the options of what was available. After some research and review reading, I settled on looking at iFiles, ReaddleDocs, and iSMEStorage. Effectively, each of these apps serves as an "umbrella" over all of your cloud accounts, once you have set them up. Although I haven't eliminated the separate Dropbox app from my iPad, I see no reason to have a separate application now that I have a File Manager app.

Which one you prefer, will come down to user preference. Some brief comments (and I do mean brief), based on my order of priority (at this point) for each app is summarized below:

iFiles

For a cheap price ($3.99 on 5/22/11), this app is remarkable. The breadth of cloud services that it covers is comprehensive (including images from FaceBook, Flickr, and Picasa – which is unique in the apps I looked at). Search capabilities are available on the local files (stored on the iPad) only (this was my only disappointment). The app provides unlimited set up and syncing to cloud accounts that you have previously established.

A link to the app store description is located here.

iSMEStorage

This app is a little more expensive ($4.99 on 5/22/11), and comes with a few limitations. I didn't find it as intuitive to manage and learn as iFiles, but that process continues. Additionally, it will only allow you to sync TWO cloud services with the "minimal" version. If you pay a one-time "Lifetime Cloud" fee of $39.90 (Home) or $59.99 (Business), you can set up to a limit of 10 cloud services AND have the capability to manage all your cloud storage through a "Virtual Cloud File System" right from your desktop. That is pretty compelling if managing all your cloud services from your desktop is important to you.

HOWEVER, and this is big, iSMEStorage is the only app that provides searching capabilities across your cloud storage providers. For me, this is a game changer. The flexibility to immediately drill down to a file, across multiple cloud storage services, is almost a priceless feature to me. As more of my information moves to cloud storage, this creates tremendous capability.

A link to the app store description is located here and here for the SMEStorage website.

ReaddleDocs

This app is $4.99 (5/22/11) and is designed to be a document viewer which can access your cloud storage services. As far as look and feel, I think this app wins. But in capabilities, I much prefer the other two apps.

Click here for a review of the app and here for the iTunes app store description.

A summary of the various cloud services supported by each app is summarized below (again, as of 5/22/2011):

Cloud Service	iSMEStorage	iFiles	ReaddleDocs
Amazon S3	●	●
Box.net	●	●	●
CloudMe	●	●	●
DropBox	●	●	●
Email-as-a-Cloud	●		●
Facebook		●
filesanywhere			●
Flickr		●
FTP-as-a-Cloud	●	●	●
Gmail-as-a-Cloud	●		●
Google Storage	●
GoogleDocs	●	●	●
iCloud (CloudMe)			●
iDisk (MobileMe)		●	●
iDisk (Public)			●
Mezeo	●
Microsoft Azure	●
Microsoft Live Mesh	●
Microsoft SkyDrive	●
MyDisk.se			●
Picasa		●
RackSpace Cloud Files	●	●
SafeSync	●
SFTP-as-a-Cloud		●	●
Storegate - Internet HD			●
SugarSync		●	●
WebDav enabled Cloud.	●	●	●

Executive dashboard on the iPad - Presentation

In early April, I posted about the use of the the iPad for executive dashboard reporting.  I have included below the dashboard presentation we have posted to Slideshare.Developing an executive dashboard for the iPad

View more presentations from Thornhill Financial (iPad)

Gamechanging or Incremental Improvements? What I Have Noticed in 12 Months.

Looking back to when I purchased the iPad, it is hard to believe it has been over 12 months. The device, and the way I have become accustomed to doing things, has simply become "the way to get things done". The ability to access information, and efficiently accomplish tasks that are required in my professional environment, has risen to a level I could not have imagined was possible just a short time ago. In my mind, that is one of the truly amazing realizations of working with an iPad.

The key to successfully leverage the iPad in any routine (business or personal) is behavior change! If you use an iPad, and simply approach things the way you always have, very little will actually change. However, if you open your mind to approaching things in a different way, the iPad will fundamentally change how you perform many functions.

I thought it would be useful to explain just a few of the areas in my professional life that have been impacted by this new platform. As I state in the title, the changes have been both dramatic (gamechanging) and incremental. By incremental, I mean a process that may not have fundamentally changed how I do things, but were minor changes that have accumulated to have a dramatic impact. In this post, I will discuss the Gamechangers - any one of which I believe is reason enough for any business executive to use an iPad.


Gamechangers

When I talk to executives about the iPad, I tend to focus on the big opportunities, which all fall into the "gamechanger" category. These are, in no particular order,

1. Content Management,
2. Information Portal,
3. News Management, and
4. Business Intelligence.

Content Management. This application, or use, was the main reason I purchased an iPad. I have operated in a digital environment (i.e., PDF) since 2003. I saw a compelling need to have a device that would house and organize ALL of my PDF reference documents (books, articles, etc.). The iPad was the first device that satisfied, in a simple fashion, that need. Within one week of owning the iPad, I had created a virtual "library" of content utilizing the GoodReader app. And the library is not just PDF's, it contains any form of content that I have (consisting of documents, audio files, pictures, video files, etc.). All content can be used within the app, which is simply stunning.

Of course, since all documents are digital, content is easily searchable by name, and by a variety of other methods. Once inside a PDF, searching within a document could not be any easier. I can review and annotate (highlight, write notes, paste text boxes, etc) easily within a document. In fact, I rarely have a need to print a document. I routinely receive, review, provide comments, and route marked documents back to the original provider through a completely digital process using the iPad.

However, as I look back, I now view that capability as minor relative to the other capabilities the iPad has provided me. And, obviously, I had no idea that other additional benefits existed when I started with an iPad. Not until "dots started connecting" did I see substantially greater opportunity.


Information Portal. I use the term "information portal" to merely describe using the iPad as a means to access content stored somewhere in the "cloud". Information can be links to websites, document storage platforms (Google Docs, Dropbox, etc), or just about anywhere data is stored and can be linked to. The key link, of course, is to provide a simple user interface (or "front-end") that makes it seamless for the user to utilize. This can be done a number of ways, but I have primarily used the RoamBI app (and publishing tool) or other documents (e.g., PDF's) that are linked directly to the desired content.


News Management. This is a big one! I no longer use a PC to monitor news, whether the sources are social media, news "magazines" (which are one of the nicest features of news on an iPad), or my various RSS feeds. Zite, Flipboard, and Pulse, which fall into the news magazines category, are each customizable by the user based on the content you select to receive.

Instapaper, a "read it later" tool, has become one of my most used apps. Admittedly, it takes a little time (and behavior adjustment) to fully appreciate its functionality, but once it clicks, you will wonder how you got by without it. In addition, I use Instapaper to create customized news "repositories" and content libraries. Thornhill Financial created a custom library for use by all of the firm employees. Content is simply emailed to a common Instapaper account - a library of this content is "published" weekly to a web location that employees have a link to.


Business Intelligence. BI reporting, in my opinion, is an area of huge potential and opportunity with the iPad. Historically, true BI reporting and data visualization tools were limited to fairly large and more sophisticated companies, which had ERP systems and the resources to implement these tools. However, the tools available for the iPad have the potential to bring this reporting capability to any size organization, at a relatively minimal cost. Thornhill Financial has already completed several BI related projects and businesses are only starting to become aware of this opportunity.

As mentioned above, incremental changes along the way have accumulated to some significant wins along the way as well. I will discuss some of the most noticeable areas in an upcoming post.

Observations from the Meonske Professional Development Conference

On April 29, 2011, I co-presented with Denny Abbuhl, CFO of Howley Bread Group (a Panera franchisee that operates stores on the East Coast), at the 37th Annual Meonske Professional Development Conference. We presented our thoughts on using the iPad in a business environment. The audience consisted of over 300 accountants, which was a fantastic group for a late Friday afternoon presentation.

I explained, in pretty high level terms, the four areas where the business use opportunity exists - Content Managment/library, Information Portal (streamlining access to information in the "cloud"), News Content Management, and Business Intelligence. Any of these four are compelling enough to justify executive implementation and use of the iPad.
In addition, an overview was provided on the mobile technology shift that is underway and why this environment is so significant in considering the application or business use case for the iPad. Two documents I referred to, which are recommended reading for anyone looking to better understand the "bigger picture" of what is going on are listed below:
Kleiner Perkins - "Top Mobile Internet Trends"
http://www.slideshare.net/kleinerperkins/kpcb-top-10-mobile-trends-feb-2011

PWc Whitepaper - "Unleashing Enterprise Mobility"
http://www.pwc.com/us/en/technology-forecast/2011/issue1

Business Use Case Study
Denny wrapped up our presentation with a discussion of how his organization, Howley Bread Group, has implemented the iPad and are leveraging it to change how things are getting done. Denny touched on the following major areas around integrating the iPad:

• Executive Buy-In

• Challenges

• Progress

• Future Initiatives

Finally, our recommended steps to getting started with an iPad (or tablets, in general) in business were presented:

1. Identify and focus on “easy wins” to get momentum going
2. Don't chase perfection – just START
3. Commit to change!
4. Make it a group effort...It will be fun.

If there are any questions regarding this presentation, the presenters can be reached at:
Don Tomoff drtomoff@thornhillcpa.com
Denny Abbuhl Denny@howleybread.com

Apple's iPad Sales....Really??

On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, Apple released earnings for the 2nd Quarter of FY 2011. As of this release, the iPad has been on sale for a full year. The sales results have been stunning, to say the least. But how stunning? In a presentation I prepared for an upcoming conference (IMA Meonske Professional Development Conference), I try to put this in perspective.

The chart below shows Apple's sales by product category over the last 11 quarters. Note that iPad sales don't appear until the 3rd quarter of last year.

Taking a closer look at just iPod, iPhone, and iPad sales over the same period, it becomes even more obvious that Apple has not only reinvented markets (cellphone IS dominated by the iPhone), but created market a market where one did not exist a mere 12 months ago.

So how big is $12.4 billion? I worked at Jo-Ann Stores, a national fabric and craft retailer, for over seven years. JAS revenues ranged from $1.5 to $1.85 billion annually during those seven years. The TOTAL revenues for that period of time range were less than $12.4 billion. That is my personal frame to try and grasp the magnitude of what Apple has accomplished with the iPad.

Perform a similar exercise using data relevant in your world. That Really Is Nuts!

Managing Pictures Remotely on the iPad

Yesterday, I received an email from my nephew, Brett, while he was on his way back from a vacation in Key West, Florida. He traveled with a few college friends and decided prior to the trip that he would only take an iPad, his iPhone and a camera; the goal was to manage the entire photo taking and management process with those devices. I have provided below most of his email, which highlights just how easy certain tasks have become in the new Apple environment.

Just wanted to share my vacation photo experience with the iPad, iPhone and accessories.

For the vacation, our group had:
4 iPhones
1 iPad
1 panasonic lumix point and shoot camera

The sd card reader for iPad was awesome. At the end of every day I would transfer all of the pictures I had taken that day onto the iPad. The import could figure out which pictures had not been imported so I didn't delete any pictures off the camera card during the entire trip. It would create a separate event for each day so it was easy to keep track of what pictures were where. The only thing I wish it would add is the GPS location - similar to how the iPhone does.

The USB reader was great for collecting photos from everyone's iPhones. I'm guessing we took around 100 pictures and 10 videos with the iPhone. The videos came out really well since the iPhone records hd video. GPS info was imported with each video and picture. Thanks to HDR most of the pictures looked great, especially if taken outside.

The ability to sit in the lobby before leaving for the airport and look at every picture from the trip was awesome. It was so seamless and easy that it was something to do during free time instead of a planned event.

Depending on the volume of pictures you take, I'm not sure this would be the best option for every vacation...but it is awesome to sit around each night with the capability to review that day's pictures.

It's amazing how fast a picture becomes a memory.

It truly is amazing the opportunities that open up simply by applying a little thought to the tools at your disposal! I am hearing more and more stories similar to this. Fascinating, to say the least! Thanks for the email Brett, and for allowing me to share your thoughts.

Using Dropbox With The iPad iWorks Suite

The more I have worked with iWorks in the iPad, and in particular, KeyNote, I have wished for an easy way to transfer files from or to the application on the iPad. Apple provides a number of methods to share the content, using various formats, but I have found them cumbersome or limited in application (for instance, sending a 15 meg KeyNote file through email does not always work). There is no default "integration" with popular file synchronization services, such as Dropbox.

One option provided is to "Copy to WebDAV", which I did not understand and have only explored recently. This option allows you to enable WebDAV capability on your Dropbox account and then import/export files right to your Dropbox account. A service called "DropDAV" makes this possible. It is a free service, as long as it is synced to a free version of Dropbox (otherwise you pay a fee similar to Dropbox storage plans).

Setting this up is a simple two step process – set up a DropDAV account (https://dropdav.com) and, then, sign in to WebDAV through the iWorks application. Unfortunately, this must be completed for each of the iWork apps that you want to use with Dropbox.

Click here for a link to a techinch article explaining this entire process. If you use iWorks – especially Keynote, the file sizes can get fairly large rather quickly. It is definitely worth the effort to work through this process!

Web Browsing – Access All Your Bookmarks on the iPad

In one of my March posts, I discussed alternatives to the Safari web browser on the iPad. One additional question that I get quite often is how to access all of your desktop computer bookmarks right from the iPad. There are various ways to do this, but I will look at two – one involving a somewhat cumbersome syncing process, and the other through a simple app (although the service does have a subscription fee).

The first approach is to use a bookmark syncing service (Xmarks is my favorite and the one reviewed here) to sync your browser bookmarks (from Google Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer) to the Apple Safari browser. You then can synchronize those bookmarks with your iPad through the iTunes synchronization process. Here is a link to a blog post explaining the process.

The second approach, and my preferred method, is to simply install the Xmarks app on the iPad. You are required to have an Xmarks account, which comes in free and premium versions. To use Xmarks on the iPad, you are required to have a premium account (currently $12 annual subscription fee). The Xmarks app synchronizes your desktop browser bookmarks with your iPad, providing easy access to any bookmark you have set up previously. The app operates its own mini-browser, but in my experience, it works seamlessly with most websites. The app provides easy search capabilities and quick access to all bookmarks.

I highly recommend Xmarks as a bookmark synchronization tool, regardless of whether you use it on the iPad or not. All bookmarks are synchronized across your all your computers, which results in a similar experience regardless of which machine (or browser) that is used.

iPad versus Laptop; Flip The Perspective?

Bill Fench, founder of iPadCTO.com, posted two articles recently; "unstoppable agility at 12,000 feet" and "where laptops can't go, iPad likely can". 

Both of these posts hit home with me, especially after my recent experience of traveling for business with the ipad (see "Traveling for Business With The iPad" post). My experience was such that I preferred the tablet to a laptop. I also realized very quickly the things I was able to get done that would not have been possible with a laptop, but were not only possible, but pleasurable with the iPad. 

Bill does a very nice job of changing the perspective on the question everyone asks (prior to owning an iPad) - "Why is it any different than a laptop?". Definitely worth taking a few minutes to read!  

Here are the links:

http://ipadcto.com/2011/03/30/ipad-agility-unstoppable-effortless-design-work-at-12000ft-on-a-snowy-mountain-pass/

http://ipadcto.com/2011/04/02/where-laptops-cant-go-ipad-likely-can/

IPad - Content Library Observations

My initial impetus to get an iPad was to create a library of my PDF documents. I have operated, essentially, in a digital environment since 2003. Thus, the ability to have easy access to ALL documents, in a fashion that would be easily searchable, is very compelling to me. That simple thought pushed me down a road that has literally branched off in hundreds of directions over the last year.

However, I have found in numerous discussions with iPad owners that this concept is less understood (the perceived value is not as high).  In a presentation that I put together, I highlighted five "documents" that I have included in my iPad document library.  Those five are reference books that I want to have immediate access to.

Here they are:

1.    Technical accounting research document regarding accounting for derivative financial instruments (620 pages).

2.    Excel 2007 Bible – reference (914 pages)

3.    Access 2007 Inside and Out – reference (1,464 pages)

4.    Apple “Final Cut Pro” User Manual (2,033 pages)

5.    Adobe Acrobat 9 Bible – reference (1,298 pages)

In total, these "documents" account for 6,329 pages of material, which consume a total storage space of 180 megabytes.  180 mg is 18% of 1 gig, and 1 gig is 1.6% of 64 gig (the largest iPad currently available).  Thus, five rather large books take up only 0.28% of the total capacity.  Assuming you had 25 times this amount of material, you would still only use up approximately 7% of the total iPad storage.

What’s the point?  You can include far more content on an iPad than you probably imagine!

Move Business Reporting to the iPad – Dashboard Development

Now that the iPad has been out for a little while (just over a year), I have recently seen a noticeable shift in the nature of discussions. The discussion is less about "why do I need this?" and more about "I have this, how can I leverage it in my business?" The iPad is an extremely simple device, friendly to use and work with, and executives are quickly realizing the advantages of accessing Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, from or with Anyone. We recently developed a dashboard reporting development process, and while it is not a perfect solution, it can move any iPad user substantially down the road.

Dashboards are an extremely useful way to highlight key data for executives so that they can easily and quickly digest important information about their business. Consider that:

1. Dashboards can eliminate the "clutter" from typical financial reports. By supplementing (or replacing) financial tables with relevant charts/graphs, it becomes simple to see critical information and trends quickly.
   
2. Dashboards enable easy report review and standardization of management information.
   
3. Dashboards can be easy to distribute across multiple platforms – the iPad is an ideal interface with which to view reporting.
   

We have posted a presentation to Slideshare.net that provides an overview of considerations, process development steps and a sample dashboard that we created using information from Panera Bread. If done properly, a dashboard can be developed that is easy to maintain, easy to distribute to executives, and substantially improves the reporting process from where you may be today.

Traveling for Business With The iPad

I have read numerous articles about folks leaving their laptop behind and going just iPad on a business trip. Until recently, I have only traveled on vacation with the iPad, and I always took a laptop for "product creation" (photos, movie slideshows, etc.) in case I needed it. I have noticed that I rarely pull out the laptop anymore. It is just much simpler, and enjoyable, to grab the iPad.

As mentioned, I recently took a one-day business trip and decided to leave the laptop and go solo with the iPad. I noticed a number of things, some obvious and some surprising. In no particular order, here are some observations:

1. Packing and airline check-in process. It felt weird to pack my luggage and not include the weight of a laptop! It has been over 10 years (prior to traveling with laptops) since I have experienced that. It is very liberating. Going through check-in and security and not having to tear my bag apart and through the computer in a tray almost felt wrong (everyone else was stepping through the drill). Not me and I enjoyed it.
   In addition to not packing a computer, I did not pack ANY paper or files to take with me. All of my content was pre-loaded on my iPad (or accessible remotely). In fairness, I did pack information and client handouts, but that was for other attendees at the meeting. All of my materials reference was done on the iPad.
   
2. Airport waiting. In both airports I was in, wi-fi was available and it was free. I don't know how long it has been this way, but it's about time. Clearly, airports have come to realize, like restaurants, coffee houses, and just about any other retail establishment, that free wi-fi is necessary to not lose customers. While walking through the airports, I paid particular attention to how many laptops or mobile devices I saw in use. Nothing scientific, of course, but I saw a lot of cell phones, a noticeable amount of laptops in use – 25 or so, and a total of 5-6 tablets (all iPads I believe). Regarding the laptops, I noticed that the majority of folks were reading email or surfing the web. Of course, that is much easier on a tablet device. No question about that.
   
3. Rental car check-in. Rental car agencies still offer to rent GPS navigation systems and satellite radio units. I have these resources on the iPad (navigation and Internet radio apps), so I saw no need for either of these. In fact, I was able to look up the navigation app, search for hotel directions and have them in front of me before the check-in was completed. It was surprisingly easy and fast. Of course, using the tablet in the car requires 3G access, which I have. The smartphone could also have served the same function.
   
4. Productive moments I noticed. While sitting in the airport, on the plane, or elsewhere, it was very easy to pull out the iPad and get 3-5 minutes of work done, even if it was just 3-5 minutes. That was noticeably huge to me. I typically would read magazines or some other material that I had brought along to fill the down time. So what did I work on and accomplish:
   1. Picture editing for a family collage I am planning
      
   2. Roughing out of a collage format in the KeyNote app
      
   3. Progress made on an iMovie project I am also working on
      
   4. Accessed pictures from my home computer (remotely) and downloaded to my iPad (for the above projects)
      
   5. Responded to work emails (a lot more effectively than from my phone)
      
   6. Delivered a powerpoint file to a client…by accessing the file from my office remotely, downloading it to my iPad and emailing directly to client
      
   7. Accessed the local public library and "borrowed" an ebook (Tom Clancy's "Hunt for Red October"). Downloaded to my iPad in the OverDrive app.
      
5. Hotel room. Two things – the TV never went on and there was no real "set up" required. The hotel offered both Ethernet and wireless access. I believe that wi-fi will become the dominant form of internet access before too long, since the iPad and other tablets do not connect over an Ethernet cable.
   
6. Client meeting improvements. During the client meeting, all work was done from the iPad. Presentations were broadcast through a projector seamlessly, including some GoodReader app documents that I was surprised worked. Some other ideas on this front were less effective, but overall, I was fairly impressed with how well it worked.
   

Overall, it was a noticeably pleasant experience traveling this way. I had no thoughts about needing a laptop at any point during the trip.

Browser Alternatives on iPad

As more time is spent on the iPad and it becomes the primary tool to access the internet  and surf the web, it soon becomes evident that the Safari browser has a number of shortcomings compared with the usual PC web browsing experience.

The most obvious shortcomings, in my mind, include a lack of tabbed browsing, the inability to set default home pages and lack of full screen browsing capabilities (especially noticeable because of the iPad screen size).  The browser alternatives I mention here all provide those capabilities, among others.  The cost of each browser app is nominal, and definitely worth having one or two installed on the ipad as an option.

I find that each serves a distinct use for me, but i primarily prefer the Atomic Web Browser.  For sure, there are many more options than the ones I highlight below, but in order of my preference, here are five worth considering:

App	iTunes App Description
Atomic Web Browser	Atomic Web Browser is the most advanced and customizable fullscreen web browser to date. Experience desktop features including Adblock, Tabs, MultiTouch Gestures, User Agent Switcher, Passcode Lock, Facebook/Twitter integration, Save Page, Downloads, and much more.
Mercury Browser	Mercury is the the most advanced and elegant web browser for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The rich feature set includes themes, downloading, printing, full screen browsing, file sharing, adblock, tabs, multi touch geatures, user agent switcher, private browsing, passcode lock, save page, Facebook/Twitter integration and a lot more.
Cyberspace	Cyberspace is a universal web browser for the iPhone and iPad, optimized specifically for the purpose of discovering, reading and sharing.
Terra Browser	Terra is a fast web browser with tabs, full screen and other functions. It's better than Safari and has unbelievable price - it's FREE!
LastPass Browser	LastPass Tab Browser combines a full featured tab browser for the iPad with LastPass integration allowing you to use your existing accounts or create new ones with ease. LastPass is the last password you'll have to remember. It provides a safe and convenient method of storing your passwords while ensuring you can access them on any device anywhere. A form filler is also provided allowing you to easily shop directly from your iPad!

Links to reviews of a few of the different apps are provided below:

Atomic Web (Gizmofusion.com)

Mercury Browser (handymacapp.com)

Cyberspace Browser (smokingappls.com)

Terra Web Browser (ipadhelp.com)

It should be noted that Safari is the default browser on the iPad, and that cannot be changed.  However, having options to substantially improve the browsing experience and increase your flexibility is definitely worth the investment, in my opinion. 

In addition to the various web browsers discussed above, the web browsing experience can also be simplified by using bookmarklets (on Safari, as well as all the other browsers mentioned above).  Finally, getting access to ALL of your PC bookmarks (or “Favorites”) right on the ipad, is possible as well. 

I will address these in future posts.