iPad for business?

MTCInc

MTCInc

Location
Bay Area, California
Got a new iPad for Xmas, and am loving it. I am trying to work it into a work tool as well, not just a toy. One thought I am having, and will try it out today, is using it as an onsite estimate tool. I wont actually use it for the estimate, but more for the notes from the job.

I downloaded numbers, and made a simple spreadsheet that I can enter in basic data about the trees. The particular job I decided to use this on is a bid on over 100 trees, so I thought this would be a good way to be organized, since I can sometimes barley read my own writing.

Anyone else out there using an iPad for work related stuff, other then emailing?
 
Oh iPad, how I love thee. I'm actually using mine right now.

I use my iPad for estimates all the time, from using the power point presentations to show my work (it's been great to show why not to top trees as well) to signing work orders and doing everything via email.

I also offer old school written estimates if folks prefer but I try to push the green aspect of paperless estimates. I also use it to show my insurance sheet and email it as well.

The iPad is also nice on rainy days, squeezing the crew into my truck and watching episodes of "It's always sunny in Philadelphia"

There are also a ton of tree ID apps for smart phones and the iPad as well, along with some nice first aide apps if for some reason we need a refresher on our CPR and first aide certifications.
 
Family: what software are you running on the ipad to be able to generate estimates?

I have an HP tablet laptop which i was hoping would function like a ipad for on the scene quotes etc. but the tablet controls for it suck it hard.

I'm hooked on arborgold and there's no way i can use that with an ipad.

Do you get clients to sign work orders on the ipad itself? Do you use a stylus for that or do they just scribble with a finger?
 
If you have arborgold stick with it. They have no plans of making it Mac friendly either.

I use a simple contract app available through the app store. 4.99$. Even has a signature part for the homeowner to use their finger to sign. Takes a little bit to set up the way you want it but it's nice to not have to waste paper.
 
Family, Sounds really cool...I'd love to move in that direction....Only thing i think that might hold me up would be need for double data entry....As we invoice out of quickbooks. No possiblility of it being able to run qb is there?
 
no. quickbooks isnt exactly apple friendly either so you will be re entering the info to quickbook.

i only enter my sales through quickbooks, it sucks having to re enter the sales but im small potatoes so its not a lot of sales being entered. i also have the wife enter them as the come in as she watches the little one at home
 
would be very nice to be able to batch print all needed work orders at the end of the day once youre back to the office..

Do you have a screen shot of what the estimate sheet looks like? Is it customizable?
 
I use a tablet pc by motion computing. It is by no means as sexy as an ipad (but then again im not as sexy as fam tree either)so everything is as it should be! I run and print full color estimate sheets from my truck.when I get to shop my office manager connects, and the tablet and desk top "share"information!! its all good. YOu just find a system that works and use it!!
 
I talked with someone at TCIA show who did all his quickbooks through the I pad. He actually was showing it to me. He wasnt a vendor either. I dont know if he was linked through the internet or not. It was really slick and made me want one right away but Im technologically challenged.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I talked with someone at TCIA show who did all his quickbooks through the I pad. He actually was showing it to me. He wasnt a vendor either. I dont know if he was linked through the internet or not. It was really slick and made me want one right away but Im technologically challenged.

[/ QUOTE ]

Got any contact info on this guy? id love to talk to him. My biggest thing about quickbooks is that i cant update and upload my estimate sheets to my mac because of the poor support that quickbooks offers mac users
 
I dont have his info. I just happened to but in on a conversation with him and someoneelse. I dont know much about quickbooks other than on my laptop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom