The iPad from Apple (tm)
Do you run a business and want to use an iPad with it? My hold us has been that there is currently no 3G, but that is changing very soon. Until then, a person who wants to use their iPad has to find a Wi-Fi hot spot, or, they could optionally do like our friend and TV personality Amy Wood does. She uses a Verizon MiFi, a device that bridges a cellular modem with an access point, allowing you to carry this device, and have a full time cellular connection and provide 802.11b/g WiFi to your various devices, such as the iPad.
That’s the first step in using the iPad with your business. Next is to configure it to work with your Microsoft Exchange Server, which should be no more difficult than getting your iPhone to work with your corporate email (If you are reading this, you probably have an iPhone already). Once configured, this is a nice mail reader.
Okay, so that is basic stuff, but what about taking an iPad with you, accessing your Terminal Server with RDP (Remote Desktop)? There’s an App for that! Yes, several exist, including one from Citrix that may be the best, but in the App Store, just search for Remote Desktop Client and you should be in business.
You will probably want to get a dock with a keyboard so you can accomplish some real work. Okay, so now this is becoming complicated. You have a MiFi adapter, an iPad, a client for Remote Desktop, and you are wanting to type, so you get this keyboard and mouse. A netbook may be a better solution for you if you are finding that you are typing more than browsing.
Should you be serious about using your iPad, iPhone or Mac with your Windows based network, and require assistance, please do not hesistate to call us to see how we can help.
Comments 4
A bit has changed since we first posted this… The 3G version is available now, which is a hefty investment, but worth it to some since you no longer need to carry a cellular access point with you. And of course some new security concerns have come up, which you can read about on this blog. Overall the iPad is a nifty toy that can be used as a tool. Until the android based tablet comes out, you don’t have too many other options. More info at http://www.HomelandSecureIt.com/blog/
Here’s a link to another iPad business related post:
http://www.homelandsecureit.com/blog/2010/07/ipad-and-tablet-computers-finding-their-way-into-business/
I was asked to post this by another blog owner…
http://www.remotedesktopmac.com/remote-desktop-comparison-chart
It is actually a Mac RDP and Remote Desktop comparison chart, not iPad, however, it may be nice for some of you since a number of iPad owners also own Macs…
In my opinion, iPad’s future is especially secure with the use of the device as a business tool, such as with the 2X Client for iOS (http://www.2x.com/virtualdesktop/ios)…it’s a free download and lets you use Windows apps from your iPad, giving you application publishing and RDP Remote Desktop capabilities for free, in contrast to the Citrix Receiver and Wyse PocketCloud. Definitely worth a look!