iPad Getting Schooled, Hospitalized and POS'ed
The iPad is getting around.
Current estimates put iPad sales at around a million – a number that will definitely soon grow with the 3G model releasing today in the U.S. and a worldwide rollout in late May. Interestingly, even the current Wi-Fi only model is making its way into many more places than just into the hands of early adopters and Apple fans.
Now businesses, schools and even hospitals are considering the iPad for use in making day-to-day operations easier.
While the old pen and paper approach to taking down food orders works fine, a company dealing with automation with point-of-sale (POS) technologies has developed a system that works with both the iPad and iPod touch for restaurant use. Check out a video here.
"Using those devices [iPad, iPod touch], along with a couple of standard ticket printers, brings the startup cost for the pilot to under $2,000," Lecere CEO Jim Morris said. "Contrast that with an upfront cost of about $20,000 to install a traditional, on-premises POS system with its heavy, non-movable POS terminals, printers, and back-office servers."
Schools are now looking to use the iPad as a replacement for textbooks and old-fashioned notebooks. Given that electronic textbooks cost around a third of printed versions, schools looking to cut back on costs using the iPad.
Apple has given a 10 percent discount on the iPad to Monte Vista Christian School in California for its first order of 60 units. Both students and teachers are now using the iPad as an educational device.
Perhaps the most serious use of the iPad thus far is in the medical field. After getting an iPad for himself, Nick Volosin, director of technical services at Kaweah Delta Health Care District in Visalia, Calif., ordered 100 additional iPads that he thinks will be of great value to the hospital.
Rather than using Apple's software and App platform on the iPad, Volosin figures that the Apple device is best used with Citrix virtual desktop software. This way, the iPad can still display and work with all the existing software, but medical workers get to take advantage of the device's 10-hour battery life and portability. Read more here
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I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one.
Because they spend oodles of money on marketing. How many TV commercials have you seen by Asus?
lol, those medical workers will be a bit surprised when the ipad doesnt quite meet the 10 hour battery life when running Citrix virtual desktop software.
Because they spend oodles of money on marketing. How many TV commercials have you seen by Asus?
True, true; you do have a valid point. However, that doesn't mean that they didn't have knowledge of their existence. Lots of large corporations use technology that the average consumer doesn't know exists.
Wow! A 10% discount.. what a deal! So Apple is only charging them for ~$179* over manufacturing cost.
Yes, I know Apple is a business and I'm a fan of capitalism, but considering the difference between mfg cost and retail I don't think 10% is exactly news. The ratio gets much worse with the 32GB and 64GB models. Given the economy maybe Apple could offer our schools one product without over-charging for the hardware... then again, maybe not.
*Assuming base 16GB model @ $270.50
True, true; you do have a valid point. However, that doesn't mean that they didn't have knowledge of their existence. Lots of large corporations use technology that the average consumer doesn't know exists.
Tis true. I had the pleasure of setting up a POMX (point of maintenance) architecture that used multiple Toshiba touch-screen tablets (think it was toshiba), that also included voice recognition, so maintainers could work with both hands, and the data is stored and forwarded to a central database.
This is nothing new, the ipad doesnt make it simpler, nor cheaper than it was before.
Asus needs to spend more on ads IMO.
well they really didn't go into much detail with this app. How does it route the tickets to the bar and to the kitchen? Handhelds have been used in restaurants for years and its been my experience that they are not as convenient as they might seem. Maybe the technology has improved but there are many issues that go into making a POS system work properly.
Ok, who read the last part of the title as something different to point-of-sale? Admit it
I've heard of some doctors using these for displaying X-rays as well. That's pretty nifty. I'd never have thought of using a tablet for that but I suppose it's more convenient than carrying around those massive sheets and holding them up to a light.
I've heard of some doctors using these for displaying X-rays as well. That's pretty nifty. I'd never have thought of using a tablet for that but I suppose it's more convenient than carrying around those massive sheets and holding them up to a light.
Now that seems like a good idea to me. That way you have a nice, portable x-ray, and you can display multiple images on one small screen. Brilliant
LOL Read the title wrong.
Thought it was "iPad Getting Schooled (taught a lesson), Hospitalized (sent to the hospital) and POS'ed (do I even need to bother?)...
Tis true. I had the pleasure of setting up a POMX (point of maintenance) architecture that used multiple Toshiba touch-screen tablets (think it was toshiba), that also included voice recognition, so maintainers could work with both hands, and the data is stored and forwarded to a central database.This is nothing new, the ipad doesnt make it simpler, nor cheaper than it was before.
Apple need to pay for their advertising somehow
I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one.
NO they were not.
If youread what people like about ti you will find out that simplicity of the device, the portability and long battery life is the most important thing.
Old tablets were heavier, with 4 to max 5 hours of battery life with Full blown OS....
At this price range currently Apple is a a winner, and that is the reason that HP gave up. They'll probably come back with some kind of Palm OS redesigned for tablets use and try to compete with Apple..
I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one.
True the have been around for yrs but the cost was $20,000 for a Point of sale system compared to $ 2,000
"Schools are now looking to use the iPad as a replacement for textbooks and old-fashioned notebooks. Given that electronic textbooks cost around a third of printed versions, schools looking to cut back on costs using the iPad."
Teacher: "Why haven't you done you homework?"
Student: "My iPad's battery has run out of juice last night (while I was watching pron)"
My point is: well, electronic books - OK but is iPad the most suitable? I doubt it!
I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one.
so basically all of the previous tablets sucked then? you all have to realize the iPad won many people over. end of story. get over it. boo hoo. it will only help all of us techies out in the end. better tablets will come out and then all of you can go "haha!! my tablet pwns yours!!!!". course, apple will already be on version 3 of theirs, but, oh well, you tried.
I just have no use for this or any tablet. As I sit here in front of 24" lcd, Core i7 goodness on a cushy office chair I can't think of a single personal use for iPad???? I can see it as a "gadget" thing that might be cool, but I'm not much for playing.
I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one.
And what planet do you live on? The hardware in an iPad hasnt been around for decades. Perhaps the idea of a touch screen has been around, and even some examples may have been around for a decade, but to say a quote like this is just ignorant.
Im not saying Apple invented everything in the iPad, but they where the first ones to put it all in an working tablet device, write on OS that was designed to run on with a touch interface, put it in a box and ship it and market it.
You can make all the excuses you want but NO ONE, else has achieved this before. There have been attempts, but to be successful you need ALL of the parts above, not just hardware with great specs that doesnt really work! (HP Slate, Microsoft Courier)
I also love how people look at the estimated hardware costs to build an iPad and forget how many millions of man hours where invested in R&D to get to the point of shipping a device. That number is unknown, and is probably a HUGE cost that has to be amortized back on each device thats shipped.
I hope it works out for schools; especially 6-12. I have painful memories of the 40pound sack I used to have to lug around.
"I like how these exact pieces of hardware have been around for over a decade, and people only start noticing them when Apple makes one."
When the media unconditionally endorses what you do, that is what happens. Apple is the US media's child.
"Because they spend oodles of money on marketing. How many TV commercials have you seen by Asus?"
Ummmm, is not only that.
Anyway, the good thing is that now the gullible technologically preliterate masses are aware that it is possible for a device to behave like an iPad. Now other devices that are already in the market will be noticed.
The other day I was reading the Chronicle of Higher Education and could not avoid noticing the hoopla they were making about the release of the iPad and how "it will transform how people learn". I could not stop chuckling at the thought of the sheer ignorance of the people penning those articles. Where were these morons when other devices came into the market? Also, why do they suddenly feel impelled to suggest that Apple is transforming education, when all they did was steal and repackage technology?
And what planet do you live on? The hardware in an iPad hasnt been around for decades. Perhaps the idea of a touch screen has been around, and even some examples may have been around for a decade, but to say a quote like this is just ignorant.Im not saying Apple invented everything in the iPad, but they where the first ones to put it all in an working tablet device, write on OS that was designed to run on with a touch interface, put it in a box and ship it and market it.You can make all the excuses you want but NO ONE, else has achieved this before. There have been attempts, but to be successful you need ALL of the parts above, not just hardware with great specs that doesnt really work! (HP Slate, Microsoft Courier)I also love how people look at the estimated hardware costs to build an iPad and forget how many millions of man hours where invested in R&D to get to the point of shipping a device. That number is unknown, and is probably a HUGE cost that has to be amortized back on each device thats shipped.
C'mon, don't act like the iPad is some revolutionary device. It's a bigger iPhone. While I agree that the hardware costs are not the only costs Apple has to cover, you're making it seem way too grandiose.
This moron needs an education:
"Im not saying Apple invented everything in the iPad, but they where the first ones to put it all in an working tablet device, write on OS that was designed to run on with a touch interface, put it in a box and ship it and market it."
3G sucks...... 3G is low bandwith...
another reason businesses my be interested..Apple isn't a fly by night company, and will more than likely stay in business for the foreseeable future. Makes sense to feel secure (from a business standpoint) in investing in ipad (training, hardware, inventory) when you know the product will be around and supported for a healthy length of time. Plus, many employees will already be familiar with handling it. The same reasoning is why the military likes the Iphone.
LOL Read the title wrong.Thought it was "iPad Getting Schooled (taught a lesson), Hospitalized (sent to the hospital) and POS'ed (do I even need to bother?)...
when you know the product will be around and supported for a healthy length of time.
Maybe as a series, but tell me... what's the average time between iterations of Apple products?
As an institution, is it in your good interest to invest in a product that will most likely be quickly replaced with a better one just as you finished paying for the one you just got? Wouldn't you like it better if you got the better one right from the start instead of having to wait for the iteration where they deem to finally include something that they already had a long time ago?
the bottom line is, apple haters will hate any positive news about apple's products, while apple fan love do the opposite
True the have been around for yrs but the cost was $20,000 for a Point of sale system compared to $ 2,000
This is beyond the point; the cost of the POS systems is in the software. If they are saying they can magically make software for the iPad for 1/10th the cost that does the same thing as a traditional POS system, good for them, but it's complete BS. Saying that they couldn't do it on old systems for the same amount is a lie, they simply think it's easier to market since it has an apple logo on it.
Having worked in restaurants a lot, I can tell you that managers will not be thrilled about buying every single waiter their own personal iPad, and it would significantly increase the cost to the waiter if they had to provide it themselves.
But it would almost have to be something the waiter provided themselves, because if the restaurant bought them, they would grow legs quicker than the stylish pepper shakers and flatware.
This has been possible ever since PDAs, but is yet to catch on. And the most likely reasons are the above.