Gigaom recently published an article explaining how the iPad is becoming the sales tool of choice for forward thinking companies.

I agree but wondered if the same can be said in the UK Built Environment?

The article uses studies from Forrester and Good Technology to demonstrate how well the iPad is selling.

Hundreds of thousands of tablets are being deployed across sales and marketing departments in the US.  The UK is now following and I wonder how long will it be until this technology is embraced by Architects, Contractors, Consultants and Product Manufacturers?

I speak to a lot of marketing and business developments professionals who are already rolling out iPhones and iPads and in many cases are moving over to Apple products rather than the likes of Blackberry.  It seems only natural that tablets will be next piece of armoury to offer the ultimate in 'mobile presentations' and lead generation on the move.

It's clear that iPads are the next big thing in sales technology. But what makes them so great?

One of the key factors that make the iPad a powerful and versatile tool for mobile working is the large amounts of apps available for it. 

The iTunes AppStore might be, for now, dominated by games and gimmicks, but the number of apps designed for businesses, or to enable working people to be more productive, keeps growing. The business case for the iPad as a fundamental working tool gets stronger every week.

Click here to view our ever expanding list of apps within our industry we've either found or developed ourselves.

The article explains, "A recent report at InformationWeek details the story of Level 3 Communications, which recently equipped its entire sales workforce with iPads loaded with apps that provide access to pricing information; presentation creation; and display, corporate email, customer records and inventory checks. The iPad proved more than up to the task of supplementing and mostly replacing laptops."

It continues to categories the advantages for salespeople as accessibility, connectivity and functionality through apps.

To start with, the battery life is incredible.  It can instantly wake from sleep mode and carry on from where it left off without the need for any embarrassing 'let's just wait for it to warm up' excuses. It's obviously smaller and lighter than its ancestors making it that much more portable and convenient.

Clients are often concerned that their staff have the internet connection necessary to access the information they need.  This is not so much of an issue now that many of the apps can display pages once they have been downloaded and subsequently stored in the cache.  This can include content such as technical specs, data sheets, case studies, images and even videos showcasing projects or products.

In a recent interview, Elisa Pardini from Elips Design Architects told us that she is never without her iPad ensuring she has access to her company portfolio wherever she might be through her mobile brochure app.  

The article re-enforces this point -

"Using an iPad as a presentation tool is natural. The tablet is easily passed around, can be read like a magazine, and can also output to external displays with less hassle and fewer steps than a laptop. And apps like OnLive Desktop and Iongrid make it even easier for iPads to sub in for notebooks capable of running desktop presentation tools."

Just last week, I was reminded of a new meeting I had via my digital diary (sync'd with my mobile calendar).  I then used a maps app to find the office location, presented our work with a variety of app demonstrations, updated our CRM software, created and sent the relevant proposal and sent a quick update to our Twitter following, all using my trusted iPad!

So will tablets be the norm for sales based staff in the built environment? Personally, I think it's more a question of when rather than if.

What do you think?

How are your sales staff promoting your company? How long do you think it will be before iPads are the tool of choice in the UK AEC sectors?  Are you already using iPads and mobile apps within your business?

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Until next time,

Ryan (Chief Scribbler)