Top 10 iPad Applications for Small Business Employees

As consumers increasingly use Apple’s iPad to fulfill their various needs, small business owners are also becoming more aware of the possible benefits of an iPad for their employees’ use. According to the results of a survey by the market research company, the NPD Group, almost 75% of small- and medium-size businesses (SMBs) intend to buy an iPad for their workers in 2012. Various applications are available on the iPad which will boost employees’ productivity and also make them more organized while saving time and money.

Here are some top business-friendly applications for the iPad:

Built-in applications

FaceTime

Video calls to employees at other premises or even in another country, who also have an iPad, can be made. Two built-in cameras (one on the front and one on the back) will enable employees to switch between them during a video call to focus on other images in the office.

HD Video recording

An HD video camera will allow employees to film meetings or other events happening at the business. The video camera has an advanced backside lighting sensor which allows filming even in low light. The shoot can also be edited on the iPad and then shared on YouTube , email or posted on the business’s website. iMovie on the iPad will allow employees to create an own soundtrack and to use Apple’s themes, titles and transitions.

Reminders

This is a built-in application that will allow employees to set their own reminders for their to-do-lists. As a deadline approaches, Reminders will send a notification to remind the employee.

Applications from the iPad’s application store

Invoice Network

This application will assist employees that need to prepare quotes and invoices to customers which can be sent to the customer via email. A quote can also be converted into an invoice. A very nice feature is that the company logo can personalize all invoices and quotes.

Documents To Go Premium – Office Suite

Word documents can be edited, created and viewed as well as Excel and PowerPoint files. This application also includes an improved Slideshow To Go full screen mode. All files can be synced with Google Docs, DropBox, Box.net, iDisk or SuperSync, whatever sync application is preferred by the employee. The employee will be able to receive compatible files via email or social networking sites and open, save and edit them in Documents To Go.

Skype for iPad

With Skype for iPad, employees will be able to call, video call or instant message customers or clients on Skype wherever they are in the country or in the world.

Adobe Reader

Employees will be able to view and share Pdf documents across various devices. It is available in various languages such as English, Chinese Simplified, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian, Czech, Polish and Turkish.

Notability

This application will allow note-taking during meetings, brainstorming sessions and ideas. It also automatically links notes with audio recording. It supports handwritten notes, PDF annotation and word processing which can be synced with other devices with sync applications.

Air Notes AirPrint your notes!

Official notes created on the Notes application can be printed directly from the iPad to an AirPrint-supporting printer. If the business does not own an AirPrint-supported printer, a free program called Air Print Activator can be installed to make the printer AirPrint friendly. This free program can be downloaded from Netputing. Another application iPrint also uses AirPrint technology to print documents wirelessly.

These are just some of the best applications for the iPad which can be used by employees. Small business owners will not regret investing in an iPad for their employees as it will save the business much money in the long term.