Using Your iPad for Business: Greater Portability, Flexibility, and Organization. Fewer Trees.

One feature that is often over looked allows you to use your iPad as a second display. With a dual-display app, connect your iPad to the same wireless network as your laptop and enjoy two screens connected wirelessly. You can extend or clone your desktop, which is great on the road, and if you already have two screens in your office, why not add a third? For dual screening, try Air Display for your Mac and MaxiVista for your PC. Both are around $10.

Travel

An iPad with Bluetooth keyboard fits on any tray table with room to spare. Download a few documents prior to takeoff to stay productive while disconnected from the Net (unless you are fortunate enough to get a wifi-enabled plane). If you look forward to a break from work on your flight, access your iTunes library and enjoy an ibook, movie, or music. The iPad will also handle movies ripped from DVDs or downloaded from websites like Amazon. All you need is an app to play them. Try out Azul ($0.99).

If the hotel cable is too basic, use the iPad to stream movies on apps from Netflix or Hulu. There are also apps available for watching live or streaming TV, such as ESPN, Comcast’s Xfinity, and ABC (all free). However, the ultimate TV app is Slingbox ($30), which provides a portal to your own home cable channels and DVR anywhere you have an Internet connection (additional hardware required).

To stay up on news and current events, download Flipboard or Zite (free). Similar to Pandora (a free music app), these apps push news to you based on your preferences. You rate stories thumbs up or down and the app learns to send you customized content. A number of magazines and newspapers are also available for download, either in the iOS Newsstand, or in a stand-alone app (e.g., the Wall Street Journal has its own app).

"The first step is to realize that your iPad is not a replacement for your laptop or desktop computer. Use your iPad as a complement to your existing computer(s) and you will get the most out of it."

The Final “Evernote” on iPads for Business

Use your iPad as a complement to your existing computer(s) and you will get the most out of it. Try out a few of the above functions and improve your work quality of life. Instead of work/life balance, you will be practicing work/life integration.

Andrew Rouse is a Senior Manager in Blackman Kallick’s Insurance Practice. For more information contact Andrew at arouse@BlackmanKallick.com or 312-980-3236.