Mobility

The first five apps to install on a job-worthy iPad

By // February 5, 2014, 10:33 AM PST // erikeckel

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  • Getting started

    After joining a new iPad to the Internet, users almost immediately begin downloading apps. But what applications should be downloaded first? Here are five contenders for business and productivity tools every professional should start out with.

    Note: This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.


    Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet

  • Connectwise

    Business professionals live and die by the industry-specific applications their organizations deploy.  For example, my tech consultancy relies on Connectwise as our automation solution.
    To ensure that your iPad offers optimal value and efficiency, make your organization's business application the first program you install.

  • Connectwise calendaring

    Connectwise on the iPad enables staff to perform critical functions, such as review calendars, respond to service requests, and close tickets. Those functions streamline our operations, just as similar proprietary enterprise apps do for other firms.

  • iWork Pages

    Apple's office productivity tool suite — Pages, Numbers, and Keynote — is available free to new iPad customers. In my experience, the applications are not present on Apple devices, so you'll need to download them from the App store.

  • iWork Numbers

    A Numbers checklist such as this one helps you avoid overlooking important information when performing field audits using an iPad.

  • Penultimate drawing

    Penultimate lets you create freehand drawings on your iPad. You can draw organization charts, network diagrams, floor plans, and other shapes and objects, which comes in handy in numerous business situations.

  • Penultimate in the field

    Based on a walk-through of a client site requiring an office expansion, it was easy to create this basic floor plan. It shows the proper location for new desks, data cabling, and a network closet complete with punch-down block.

  • Evernote

    Professional workdays are full of meetings and conference calls, making it essential to collect simple text notes in a quick and reliable format. Although some applications add a confusing array of features, the free Evernote note-taking app keeps it simple.

  • Evernote and Penultimate drawings

    Evernote makes it easy to create and share notes as simple text included within email messages. While some advanced options are available, including the ability to automatically import Penultimate drawings, the application's strength is the simplicity it offers for creating and distributing notes quickly and efficiently.

  • Twitter

    Twitter should be among the first apps you install on your new iPad. It allows you to effortlessly track industry news and announcements, product introductions, service enhancements, and similar information. And let's face it: Life isn't composed of just work obligations. You'll also probably want to follow sports, arts programs, celebrities, financial markets, and so on.

Getting started

After joining a new iPad to the Internet, users almost immediately begin downloading apps. But what applications should be downloaded first? Here are five contenders for business and productivity tools every professional should start out with.

Note: This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.


Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet

Related Topics:

Mobility Security Hardware Software Apple Android Google

By Erik Eckel

Erik Eckel owns and operates two technology companies. As a managing partner with Louisville Geek, he works daily as an IT consultant to assist small businesses in overcoming technology challenges and maximizing IT investments. He is also president o...