Tips to Help Your SMB Integrate the iPad Quickly and Successfully

Editor note: As new generations begin to take over today’s workforce so does the growing presence of technology. With over 55 million sold, the iPad is changing the way in which people conduct business. Unlike a computer or laptop, the iPad provides you with numerous applications that have been specifically created to enhance the effectiveness of company goals and procedures. But understanding the implementation process can be a challenge for most companies. Luckily, FatStax has provided a list of the top five applications that every small business should have. Enjoy the article below!

At companies large and small, sales teams are making especially strong cases for adding the iPad to their arsenals. With a powerful, intuitive and easily updated mobile device like the iPad, the entire sales team can have the latest information in their hands. A salesperson armed with an iPad, as well as the knowledge of how to use it seamlessly and effectively, will capture and keep a customer’s attention. The five steps outlined here can help guide a rollout of iPads and iPad software to enterprise sales teams.

Define What Success Will Look Like

There are lots of reasons to get iPads for a sales team. While reasons for investing in iPads may vary, the ability for a company to measure success of their iPad deployment on knowing what success will look like. For some companies, understanding what success looks like may start with an evaluation of the sales process. For sales teams using a variety these processes, rolling out the iPad and iPad sales tools may be an opportunity to create standardization and encourage best practices.

Legacy systems—Know the Users and the Owners

Get key people in IT, marketing, sales and other relevant areas involved early by creating a cross-functional team. It will show others that the idea has broad-based support. Finding allies now and keeping them throughout the iPad rollout will make it easier to navigate company policies, and it may inspire a broader mobile strategy for the organization. Also, engaging with other departments may reveal additional ways to use iPads for sales, which also may reveal additional expenses.

Find Apps that Work for Sales

Unless a company has the desire and budget to build its own mobile development and support team, the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to keep pace with changing hardware and software is to rely on external developers. Developers that specialize in designing all-inclusive apps for enterprises live and breathe everything related to the iPad. Remember that no developer team will code the perfect app the first time. An app’s success will grow over time based on user experiences from the field.

Test Assumptions in a Pilot

A great way to test assumptions, uncover missing budget items, and reveal enterprise software integration needs is to conduct an iPad pilot. Consider tapping people who already own the iPad for personal use or who have been especially vocal about adding them to the sales team’s tool box. Clearly define goals for the pilot participants, and consider how much time it will take them to provide pilot feedback. If necessary, compensate participants for lost opportunities so they can attend weekly meetings or log experiences.

Plan for Widespread Distribution and Use

All the feedback and planning will pay off as a company prepares to deploy the iPad to its entire sales team. With iPads in hand, C-levels on board and pilot feedback digested, there are only a few more small steps to take before launching. First, verify delivery dates for iPads and accessories at all the launch locations. Second, determine how users will make app purchases: Personal Apple ID or company credit card. And third, get all the apps ready and plan a launch event. A grand-scale launch of iPads to sales teams near and far takes planning. Make it a big deal—because it is a big deal!

Every company who rolls out iPads to its sales teams will have lovers and haters. There are technophobes in every crowd, and then there is the person who resents the iPad because no one paid attention to his decade-long pleas for a new laptop. Don’t sweat it. Consider establishing a Sales Advisory Team that gathers regular feedback from the sales force. Salespeople should feel heard, and they should benefit from the successful experiences of fast adopters.