5 Great IPad Apps For Government Contractors

Isaac Barnes |
Technology |
Comments (8)

Are you still on the fence about getting an iPad because you’re not sure how you can use it? Like most, you probably view it as just a big iPod Touch or iPhone. I felt the same way…until I bought mine.

Armed with the right applications, an iPad can truly change the way you live and work. As a government contractor, it is essential to have key resources on hand at all times. My iPad has become a go-to resource, and the applications highlighted below have completely revolutionized the way I work.

With these apps, I am able to do everything work-related on my iPad without actually having to touch a desktop computer. Let me be clear: the iPad is not a replacement for your desktop; however, it is a great option for staying connected, productive, and efficient while you’re away from your desk.

Here are a list of iPad apps I use on a daily basis for work:

1. LogMeIn

LogMeIn allows you to connect remotely to any of your computers. You won’t be able to use it on a government laptop or desktop, but it does help if you need to access your company or home computer.

This app has been a life saver for me on multiple occasions. For instance, when I’m on site with a customer and I need to email them a file that’s on my work computer, with this app I can connect to my work computer and do it right there on the spot. It basically turn’s your IPad into the ultimate thin client and it’s a 99.9% secure.

2. Pages

Pages is an app created by Apple that allows you to do word processing on your IPad. I use it to draft documents and as a replacement for Microsoft Word. It doesn’t have all of the features that Word has which is a good thing. The way you layout a document by draging and dropping with your finger in Pages is amazing and beyond description.

3. Beejive

In my company we do a lot of instant messaging to stay in contact without having to make phone calls or send email. Beejive makes chatting with people in your company very easy. You can add most types of IM accounts and keep in touch with partners or employees while out of the office.

4. DropBox

DropBox allows you to have a network drive that’s hosted in the cloud. With Dropbox, you can share files with yourself or others. For example, if you have a file on your work computer that you want to view on your IPad and home computer you can do so by just pasting it in the drop box folder. When you create an account you get 2gb of storage space for free. For you space junkies out there, there are larger storage plans available for purchase.

5. Numbers

Numbers is another app Apple developed. This app allows you to create and edit spreadsheets on the IPad. It has all of the basics of Microsoft Excel and many more features. With Numbers, you can modify a spreadsheet or do some quick rate crunching on the go.

Like I said in the beggining, these apps are only meant to complement what you already do on your desktop or laptop, not replace them. What IPhone or IPad apps do you use now that help you do your job better? What apps do you wish were out there? Answers these questions in the comments.

http://Website Phil

I’m still waiting on the Andriod tablet. I hear it’s supposed to have the front facing camera on it. My customers still won’t let me bring it to work. They still have a no camera policy.
Isaac Barnes

Hey Phil I would not do it if I were you. Apple will be announcing a new version of the IPad early next year. I can promise you it will be better than anything Google can come up with.
http://Website Paul Kang

What makes the IPad better than a laptop?
Isaac Barnes

Hey Paul, the IPad is lighter and the battery life is better.
http://Website Meagan

Great article sir. I need to get all of these apps. It will make my life much easier and organized.
http://darrenholland.com Darren

@Phil Google is supposed to be releasing a chrome os tablet soon. @Paul I have been using my ipad as a replacement for my laptop and the experience so far has been a good one. The current iPad can’t be a replacment for a laptop but it comes very close. It really depends on what your uses are for it.
http://winvale.com Brian

You left out a good App: Mobile Gov IT
http://Website Dave

As a user of ipads, android tablets and laptops, here’s the 411 as I see it:

1. ipad 10.5 hrs of battery life is incredible. and that isn’t stand-by, that is full internet and video playback use. fantastic at web use. If i am going to be browsing the web, the ipad is what I use. Sure, it doesn’t have flash (and I used to have a real hangup about that), but seriously, it doesn’t matter. The touch screen interace is way less clunky than a mouse and laptop, making WORKING with the device much easier in the field. typing is way easier than I expected. if you use webcams, an ipod or ipad is far superior to regular webcams or ones in laptops. the quality is just way better thanthe suppseod ;hd’ camera in my laptop. not even a close comparison.

2. laptops: If I am going to run photoshop, or cad software, i put down my ipad and use my laptop. simply put, a laptop is better at processor intensive stuff. But if I am demoing something, I can use teamviewer to use my laptop thru my ipad. works wonderfully. the only caveat is sound. no sound from the laptop is ported to the ipad. but i, so far, have not found a need for this. If you want to stream video from your home computer or laptop, itis better to install a streaming app.

3. android tablets are cheap. for a reason. the battery life is about a 3rd (at best ) of an ipad. the screen resolution is not even close to an ipad’s (even on the more expensive units). the touchscreen is so inaccurate, that when typing, the key next to the one I am pressing is chosen more often than not, making typing almost impossible. The units themselves are also much heavier. the built-in cams are a joke (seriously, even the hd cams are terrible, even in direct sunlight). I am a HUGE fan of the android platform in phones (I still think the droid is better for a serious user than an iphone), but the tablets (at least so far) are not for the serious user. even with flash, usb ports,etc. these things are just not built to the level of quality of the ipad. if you buy an android tablet, I can guarantee you will stop using it. I gave a few of them away after disgust.
http://www.computersedu.com/ipad-user-guide-ipod/ IPad User Guide Ipod « Computer Specialist

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