Will the Apple iPad have any relevance for business?

Wow, most of you must be Apple users. Just as the Apple computer hasn't made much impact on the business world -- I don't see how the IPad will have any impact on the business world either. Tablets in general will definitely bring new uses to the business world, but the IPad is not going to be the one to do it. The amount of limitations imposed are ridiculous and it's overpriced for what it can do. Get ready to pay extra for everything! If you think it's only going to cost you $500 -- think again.

No Flash!
No USB!
No camera!
No video output!
No way to replace the battery!
Storage limitations!
Completely locked down (Good luck installing anything other than whats available in the app store)!

As the author of the Focus Brief "5 Reasons Your Small Business Should Consider Apple's iPad" to which Caty Kobe graciously provides a link above, I feel compelled to jump into this fascinating discussion. Despite the limitations cited by others, I remain convinced that some significant number of business users will find the iPad a compelling early step into the still-evolving world of tablets, netbooks and other alternatives to traditional laptops and PCs. And despite the comments of some naysayers and "Apple haters," the growth of the iPhone tells me that the iPad will find its business audience despite its lack of Flash support, its non-removable battery and its other perceived shortcomings. Also, I'm convinced that Apple is many things, but that stupid is not any of them. If enough users of the iPad (or its successors) clamor for more or different business-centric features, Apple and/or its ecosystem of partners will likely respond rather than leaving large amounts of money on the table -- or leaving the market for innovative devices to Google or the Windows ecosystem!

To add to the other answers I believe that the iPad will enter the business world in two ways. The first is perhaps mundane but will make a big difference to manufacturing, inventory systems, pick and place operations, and retail stores. Even the Apple Newton found a place as a specialty device for such applications. The iPad will make rapid inroads were a simple to use mobile computer interface is needed. Specialty applications for inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping and receiving will rapidly be ported to the iPad.

The other area is the content absorption aspect that like reading/studying on planes and trains, and presentation like the boardroom example given above.

Both of these, assisted by rapid application development and distribution through the App store will lead to rapid deployment within businesses.

I think, much like the early Apple computers, this device will get most traction in well defined intersections between a specific industry application and mac-lovers who demand it as a productivity enhancer. From digital designers using iPads to capture their craziest idea wherever inspirations happens to strike, to insurance adjusters taking images of an accident scene and coordinating video conference calls and exception approvals on the fly, the potential for dedicated, business-grade applications on these devices in undeniable.

Having said that, consider the fact that while most of us love our Macs almost as much as our dogs, we've had a heck of a time over the last few years getting IT (and most importantly Finance) to throw out the lame laptops for event the most basic MacBooks. This of course is pure economics at play (high switching costs, and at least a 30-40% price differential will always put a lump in a CFO's throat).

So, I wish I am wrong...but I think it will be a while before iPads become "standard issue" in corporations. On thing is sure though. iPads will start showing up in niche markets as quickly as those crafty widget developers can start banging out code.

I really like to listen to all the negatives ... Too Expensive, Too much Control, No IT Support, and on and on and on.... My counter and what I prefer about Apple is their closed system... Don't know it it still holds water or not but at one time offices that had Apple computers have 20% greater efficiency from their employees... That means a lot more to me than using low ball equipment ... I'm not working for the Government nor do I bid on their "lowest price win's" contracts.... Then I hear; but apple "only" has 6% of the Market... so what... that makes me low profile... and then guess what Bozo's; No Bugs, No Viruses, No Trojan Horses, No Fuss, No Muss.... I like that... I hope it stay's that way ...

Interesting debate, good thoughts on both points. Has anyone seen a credible analysis of the true, end-cost of Mac vs. PC? Our small shop is PC based and we need 3 IT people just to maintain our office system and laptops. If the iPad can be employed as a replacement for many (all?) of the out-of-office related uses, in the end it may in fact be more economical. Considering upgrades, anti virus software, failures, down time, etc. we experience with our PC based system the iPad may go a long way in the end to increase productivity and reliability despite the apparent high initial cost. 90%+ of our needs are access to the internet. A durable connection to the cloud and reliable hardware would be a nearly Holy Grail for our circumstances. The cost savings would be huge in the aggregate especially in terms of productivity.

We have seen the iPad in movies and TV for years. The controller from "the Truman Show" that the editor used. The hand held device "Spock" used to reschedule on a moments notice. All we need is the web based applications to enable that kind of immediate service and an iPad. The iPhone would work but is a little small for the job. Its just as natural a tool as the first handle on a rock that was used to smash things better for our ancestors. Evolve already people!!!

I also think that the ipad could have a growing influence within day-to-day small business operations where mobility is a must and there is not a lot of money to put into office network infrastructure. Just look at the applications that will be available - UPS and Fed Ex Mobile, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Salesforce Mobile, Skype and RingCentral VoIP, Credit card swipers, RFID scanners and so on. You get the idea. The form factor with the iPad could open up many of these applications, especially for those where a smartphone is too small of a UI but a laptop is too much of a pain to carry around, open-and-close, etc.

Yes if compaines get smart and create servicing related documentation for sale on this platform. Wow now I could downdload how to fix my Car model X, while I was under it.

Imagine only needing to carry iPad on a service call and being able to buy and down load all the service documentation and even training videos right a customer site after you have gotten the real part number and serial number of product X, Y or Z.

Tech or Engineer buys only what he / she needs on demand, on site, paying customer in hand.

I think the iPad will have limited but significant impact in business. I don't envision the majority of people carrying around iPads, but I do see a huge benefit in sales. If people can use the iPad to share content intimately they can build better relationships with customers.

http://www.3redshells.com/ipad-in-a-corporate-environment/

I'd love to see that analysis if someone has done it to see if my gut is right. My gut says that this device will truly bring about the change that many of us have been waiting for. A device that turns on instantly, is as light s a pad of paper, has an endless pool of business and personal apps (since are lives are no longer neatly separated between home and office), and a coolness factor that goes through the roof (I get mobbed on a regular basis when using it - by both 7 year olds and 70 year olds). With multitasking on its way, this device is well on its way of turning the laptop into the VHS tape.

No keyboard. Enough said.

You bet it will... It will practically kill off the $20,000 Video's and their dropdown fuzzy screens with their dim lit rooms and washed out graphic's... Board Members will each have their own iPad and you can take it from there... They will start to trickle down from there as Salesmen start to implement their sales efforts with better graphics and overall screen clarity.... and I understand there is an even larger iPad in the works… Once the schools adopt them then they will be off and running… Some people, as always, will lay back and wait and become swamped in the prop wash but the astute will start the day they receive them… They will change business as we know it now just as the iPhone has superceded the completion … Super Apps will also make it all happen …

I think Apple will definitely move the bar up for mobile computing applications and hardware. However, I don't think the iPad will take over corporate IT environments as rapidly as some would like.

Apple insists on premium pricing and totalitarian control of the apps and approval process. These two factors have contributed to why many businesses are slow to embrace the iphone. Even now, with millions of ipods and iphones in use, corporate IT depts are slow to implement them.

As all other mention, yes, iPad may have influence, but in starting all rolling. It will not be THE gadget; others with less restrictions will take over. Starting with the Not for Business tag that Apple itself put on the iPhone apps, we have not much to start using right now. But it is a base all others may build on top of.
On the other hand, all others take their time, and sometimes too much time, to get the competitive gadget to the market. I hear Android, and I see the potential, but no gadget yet! Need more real things and less talking.
Features I would like:
1. Stylus (hate to type or handwrite with my finger)
2. Video Connector (with a pico projector, will work wonders for mobile presentations).
3. No need of camera (not another one, almost all phones had one, why do I need more? Imagine holding that huge tablet to take a picture!)
4. OTA Synch. No need of much storage (not to replace a work's pc), but then need to keep data remotely.
5. Flash support.

Just to name a few.

If you haven't seen it, here's an interesting article in PC World (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/blogs/bizfeed/191153/hp_slate_vs_ipad_f...) arguing that other tablet products like HP's Slate will be more business friendly, not just b/c of price but b/c of Win7 integration. Of course the bulk of the article discuss how Slate supports Flash and iPad doesn't. Unless your business systems rely on Flash, this seems to me (and the author of the article) as an irrelevant question.

Great article in Business WEek today, "Businesses want Apple's iPad too" - http://bit.ly/c8GVjH. "Of 12 chief information officers surveyed by tech news site TechRepublic in February, 10 said they see a business case for the iPad and other tablets"

An another interesting article - a guest post from Marc Benioff in TechCrunch - http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/ipad-cloud-2/. He is using the iPad as a jumping in point for his broader message on the Cloud 2.0. I agree with a couple of comments at the bottom of the article - love the vision but not much substance.

Hey Trevor,

This is a great question and I learned a lot from the answers...really helpful. Have you done anything like this in terms of the iPad's use/impact in Social Media?

Keith, great point. Small business will definitely be looking for bang-for-the-buck in any type of tablet . . . as long as the tablet has the application and integration they need.

There are multiple problems here that so called "Apple Lovers" are forgetting. Outside of the creative environment in the business world, Apple has not established themselves and I have not seen any attempt to do so. The iPhone is only penetrating the corporate world due to consumer peer pressure and is not a serious enterprise wide device vs. the Blackberry or even the WinMo client. While Msft has dropped the ball completely on WinMo for the time being, Google has stepped up to the plate and performance wise, Apple's iPhone doesn't even compare to Android based Open Source devices. (CNET rates the iPhone higher on # of Apps available only which will obviously change)

With rumors of a Google Pad have began to circulate, I agree that the concept of a business pad has a potential place in the business world but without back office integration, open source development and plug-play function ability, it will remain flash vs. business demand.

Also there are these to consider:
1- Fixed Battery and no internal IT support
2-Lack of Remote Wipe Capability
3-Open Source Development Limitation
4-Lack of Life Cycle Model
5-$$$ vs. almost disposable Netbook

Look for something in-between to evolve into the market in the next 24 months between 500-1000 price point, Linux based and at a minimum, one or two USB ports for external accessories, back up battery, docking station..etc.