Posts Tagged ‘tablet’

Contest: How do you use tablets in your business?

In the past year, tablet ownership tripled in Canada and it will no doubt continue to grow. We love tablets and we know that many of our customers are using the technology in interesting ways from replacing paper to delivering presentations.

We love to hear about the creative ways small businesses are using tablets like the BlackBerry® PlayBook, iPad and Android™ devices. But we want to hear more – so to spread the love we are hosting a contest.

All you have to do is leave us a comment here on this blog post to be entered into our draw. The prize? One of our favourite smartphones – the Samsung Galaxy Note. What’s more, the winning entry will also have the opportunity to have their small business featured in Connected for Business magazine.

In your comment:

  • Tell us about your business or the work you do
  • What challenges have tablets helped you with at work?
  • What kinds of benefits have you seen since you started using tablets?

The RedBoard Biz team will narrow down the entries to our favourite three submissions and publish them on the blog the morning of June 8. Later that afternoon, the winner’s name will be drawn at random from one of the top three submissions and published on the blog.

Remember, creativity counts. Make your entry unique and be as detailed as you like. The contest starts today and ends June 8. A contest winner will be announced both here on our blog and via our Twitter account, @RogersBiz.

Alison is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

Contest Closes at 12 noon on June 8, 2012. Open to residents of Canada over age of majority, excluding Quebec.  To enter, leave a comment on our contest blog post on our business blog, RedBoard Biz. The top three entries will be entered into a random draw to win one (1) Samsung Galaxy Note valued at approximately $699.99.  One entry/person.  Odds of winning depend on quality of the entry and the number of eligible entries received.  Mathematical skill-testing question to be correctly answered to win.  No Purchase Necessary.  Full rules can be found here

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Introducing the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Note from RogersPerfect for business, the Samsung Galaxy Note is an all-in-one Android smartphone with a 5.3 inch HD screen that offers the convenience of a tablet and a phone.

What are the benefits for business professionals? 

You can easily access files while travelling or on-the-go without having to worry about the security of your data. The Samsung Galaxy Note offers an easy-to-deploy, reliable VPN solution and provides ActiveSync for secure access to professional resources. ActiveSync allows you to synchronize and update your emails, contacts, calendar and notes to your device.

This brand new device is also equipped with a Webex app for meetings on-the- go and is preloaded with Polaris Office to create and edit your presentations and business documents using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ever find yourself in a meeting without a pen? Combining the large, rich display of a tablet and the portability of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note lets you take notes or jot down that great idea with the S Pen; the world’s most advanced pen input technology.

What about security?

Never worry about security; the Samsung Galaxy Note is equipped with new security solutions that cover all data including contacts, email and email attachments and provides security capabilities to ensure that mobile workers enjoy an up-to-date and reliable experience.

Reserve your Samsung Galaxy Note now through the Rogers Reservation System, for more information visit our website or contact your Rogers Representative.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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The best pieces of communication technology – shared by YOU!

Communication Technology from RogersEver-growing communication technologies help power small businesses from the day they launch. Devices — from straightforward mobile phones to smartphones and tablets —give smaller businesses the ability to operate more nimbly and cost effectively. As part of the third installment of our Share Your Know-How Contest, we asked you to share with us the most important piece of communication technology you own or use in your business, and we’d like to share with you some of our readers’ favorites:

Blackberry

The BlackBerry was the device selected by most as their favorite communication technology, proving that it’s still a powerful tool for business. Robert writes, “My BlackBerry 9780 is an essential communications technology tool I use every day for receiving my push emails, bbm messages, text messages or using my WordPress app for publishing blogs to my website. As a communications technology developer I rely on Blackberry to test my apps and themes and believe it is an essential tool for my business to succeed.”

Mobile Internet Connection

“My most important piece of technology is my mobile internet connection. It allows all of my devices to work together easily and efficiently. The cloud is great for storing and sharing documents and my Blackberry and iPad are great mobile devices, but a good mobile connection is the difference between being ahead of the curve and falling behind.” – Gordon

iPhone

The mighty iPhone has long been a favorite with consumers, but it’s also a top-three choice among the businesses that responded. Sabinah says, “I could not live without my iPhone. For effective communication, one must have their email, twitter, and texting at their fingertips. I work remotely from BC and my office is in Manitoba. I’m a Rogers business client and I could not have continued to do my job so effectively if I didn’t have my iPhone as a communication tool.” – Sabinah

Tablet

Combining the portability of a smartphone and the processing power of a netbook computer, tablet devices have moved quickly beyond personal entertainment and are now deployed in companies all over the world. They were also a favorite with our respondents. “Hands down, my iPad, with a few apps and mobile me (now, iCloud), I can run my business on the go without being weighed down by a laptop. Also, the iPad allowed me to “go green” with paperless transactions.” – Trevor

For more insight from Redboard Biz readers, check out the other comments submitted for part one and part two of the Share Your Know-Contest.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Create your own Wi-Fi hotspot, when and where you need it

LTE Rocket Mobile hotspot from RogersThe LTE Rocket mobile hotspot is now available as part of our lineup of LTE devices.  Compact and powerful, the Sierra Wireless AirCard 754S is ideal for mobile teams and employees who need access to the Internet from their Wi-Fi tablets and computers when away from the office.

The Sierra AirCard creates a Wi-Fi hotspot using the LTE network and allows you to connect up to 5 devices, including a Wi-Fi printer, which will let you wirelessly print documents from your smartphone, tablet or computer.

When connected to the LTE network, typical download speeds are between 12 Mbps and 25 Mbps which is comparable to speeds experienced in an office.  When outside of LTE areas, the device automatically connects to our 4G HSPA+ and EDGE networks so you’ll have coverage wherever you need it.

It’s also easy to use:  there’s no software to download or configure and the device features an LCD screen which lets you see important real-time stats including how many devices are connected, how much data you’ve used and how much battery power is left.

In addition to automatic data encryption provided by the Rogers wireless network, the Sierra AirCard provides you with Wi-Fi security controls that are similar to your office’s Wi-Fi network so you can keep unwanted devices from accessing your data and internet connection.

Do you think the LTE Rocket Mobile Hotspot will work for your business?  Let us know what you think.

Alex is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Speed up your business: Rogers LTE network now live in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver

HTC Jetstream LTE tablet from RogersAs a small business, you know that mobility is a key part of your life every day. We’re excited to share that from east to west, a new wireless experience for your business is here.

Major markets in Canada’s three largest provinces now have access to the world’s fastest wireless network technology. Rogers launched its LTE network today in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, joining Ottawa where Rogers launched Canada’s first LTE network back in July.

Now, more than 5.5 million Canadians have access to LTE with Rogers– more than any other wireless company in Canada.

Rogers has already started to introduce its first line up of great LTE devices. If you’re in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Ottawa, you can now purchase the Rogers LTE Rocketstick, which plugs into your laptop and gives you speeds similar to what you currently have through your broadband connection.

On October 18, we kick off what will be the widest selection of devices with a Rogers exclusive HTC Jetstream LTE tablet, the fastest tablet in Canada. This Android 3.1 tablet boasts LTE + Wi-Fi  connectivity, a 10” high resolution touchscreen, 32 GB capacity, and dual-core 1.5GHz processor. Add the HTC Scribe digital pen accessory and you can even sketch, highlight, take notes, or sign documents on your tablet.

Using these devices on Rogers LTE network will make it easier for you to download apps, large PowerPoint files and stream live web conferences to customers and your team with virtually no delay or buffering.

To celebrate the expansion of Canada’s first LTE network, we’ve also introduced a special, limited time offer that provides LTE customers a chance to purchase Rogers largest ever data bucket – 10GB for $52.93 per month.

LTE promises to revolutionize your wireless experience and we’re happy to be the first to bring this new technology to Canadians.

With tablets, smartphones, sticks and hotspots coming in the next few weeks, which LTE device are you most excited about?

Allison Fitton is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Looking for an office with a view?

Rogers business solutions Nobody wants to be stuck in the office all summer. As Canadians, we only have a few short months to enjoy the sun, so it’s important to take advantage of the beach, lake, a favorite local park or patio. But, summer doesn’t mean that business stops.

Fortunately, today’s technologies make it easy to remain connected, regardless of where the summer takes you. Consider these tips for staying connected.

Get connected and stay connected

When you’re not in the office, your Internet connection is your lifeline to all things business. Wi-Fi hotspots are great when they’re available, but they can also be a security risk if you have confidential files on your laptop or tablet.  Rogers Rocket sticks give you high speed connectivity in airports, hotels or at the cottage. Flexible rates plans can be adjusted to your usage or let you share data between your USB stick and your smartphone to maximize your plan.

Alternatively, a Wi-Fi hub allows you to connect up to 10 devices over a high speed connection and is an ideal solution for a group working together from a remote location, like a construction site, new office, or yes, the beach.

Real time conversations keep you in the loop

When it comes to business, many people rely on email as their primary means of communication. But conversing in real time can often be far more efficient.  Look for instant messaging applications that allow you to save, bookmark and search previous conversations for retrieval later. You can also ask your service provider about audio and web conferencing options that allow you to share applications and web sites, annotate presentations on the go, and record conferences for later use.

The ultimate connectivity, no matter where you are

Of course, no tool is as useful for staying connected on the go as your smartphone and tablet.  With a good data plan, you can cost-effectively access the Internet and a host of applications that can facilitate working remotely and keep you engaged with your colleagues, clients and suppliers, either for free or for a minimal investment.

And with thousands of apps available to help you stay organized and productive, you might just find yourself with few extra hours to relax and read a great book or go fishing.

How do you stay connected when you’re away from the office?

Haley Morrison is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Concerned about mobile security threats? Get educated!

Rogers Security WebinarsSmartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices can provide your business with new revenue streams, new services, and new tools to better manage your employees—or your bottom line—from anywhere.

But do you know how secure those tools are, or the information and systems to which they connect you? The upside of mobility is huge, but without proper security policies in place the risks could outweigh the benefits.

To help businesses better understand their security needs, we’re offering a “Crash Course in Mobile Security for Business.” Hopefully these short, focused webinars will teach you to get more out of your mobile technology while helping you keep your business information and your technology investments secure.

Here is some information about the sessions:

BlackBerry Security Overview and Best Practices

  • Jay Barbour, Research in Motion
  • Wed., March 2, 12:00 – 12:30 pm

iPhone in Business: a Security Overview

  • Jordan Silverberg, Apple
  • Thurs., March 3, 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Mobile Security that Helps Businesses Grow

  • Shane Schick, IT World Canada
  • Wed., March 9, 12:00 – 12:30 pm

Safe, Secure Mobile Computing

  • Larry Keating, No Panic Computing
  • Thurs. March 10, 12:00 – 12:30 pm

For more information or to register for any or all of these webinars, visit the registration page. What kinds of mobile security policies have you put in place for your business?

Geoffrey Booth is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Smart selling: top wireless apps for retail

PaywareThere’s no question that  smartphone and tablet apps are changing the shopping experience for consumers. With apps for gift buying, shopping promos and location based deals, there’s no shortage of help for the tech savvy shopaholic.

But what if you’re a small or mid-size business in the retail industry? Are there innovative mobile apps that can help give you a competitive edge? Better engage with your customers?  As part of our regular series on must-have industry apps, here are five general categories that can help you exceed your customer’s expectations, better manage your business and deliver a superior shopping experience.

  1. Inventory Management. Designed for small retailers and other businesses, inventory management apps allow you to track and manage your products and assets. Capture key information such as model and serial numbers, cost, quantities, locations and more. Import and export data from CSV files and barcode scanners. You can even add images to inventory items.  Check out Inventory Droid on the Android Market.
  2. Web Conferencing. Connect teams virtually across your store locations to share sales targets, promotions, results and other key updates.  Rich features like video streaming allow your team to enjoy the full meeting experience.   WebEx for iPad is free from iTunes.
  3. Security. Prevent shrinkage by watching and controlling live security cameras from your smartphone.  Consider Mobile Cam Viewer, available through BlackBerry App World or iTunes.
  4. Point of Sale (POS). Turnkey or semi-customized point of sale solutions allow you to process payments from almost anywhere from your smartphone.  Some even have a built-in bar code scanner and PIN pad to ensure proper authentication and reduce the costs associated with POS systems.  Check out MobileCharge POS at Mobilevision.com, Payware Mobile at Verifone.com and iTunes for the free Square app for the iPad.
  5. Customer Engagement. Connect and interact with your customers through Facebook and Twitter apps and create an integrated mobile shopping experience. Let them instantly capture product information from ads, brochures, web pages and other media by scanning QR codes with their smartphones.  Or use a Foursquare app to attract customers, build loyalty programs and more effectively market your business.

Do you work in the retail industry? What are your must-have apps?

May Sau is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Top wireless apps for healthcare

medcalc-app

The MedCalc app for iPhone

Healthcare in Canada is becoming more patient-centric — which is a good thing, of course. However, the shift puts pressure on healthcare providers to continually improve services.

Broadband networks, smartphones, tablets and an explosion of mobile applications help by delivering critical patient information, medical resources and tools to the fingertips of physicians and other healthcare workers.

As part of our regular series on must-have industry apps, here are five that can help improve the quality of patient care and outcomes:

1.       Epocrates Rx. Instantly access drug monographs, check for drug interactions and receive updates to content and medical news on your mobile device.  epocrates.com; free.

2.       MedCalc. Provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of medical formulas, scores and classifications.  iTunes App Store; free

3.       MiHealth.  Offers patients access to a summary of personal health information that they can share with multiple healthcare providers and family members.  mihealthglobal.com.

4.       MedShare for BlackBerry. Get real-time access to electronic medical records while mobile.  medshare.com.

5.       WIC Pager.  Send SMS and email  alerts on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks.  Wallacewireless.com or iTunes App Store; free

Do you work in the healthcare industry? What are your must-have apps?

May Sau is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz.

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Rogers TabLife TO panel: How Tablets Are Transforming Business

Think tablets are only for playing games and reading news?

Well, think again, says Gord Stein, VP of Rogers Business segment. Not only are business analytics, medical care, and many more applications becoming available on tablets, but we’re starting to see tablets enabling entirely new business applications.

Deloitte Consulting’s Duncan Stewart, who opened up last Friday’s Rogers TabLife TO conference, expects that in 2011, 25% of all tablets sold will be bought by enterprises or bought by employees and paid for by enterprise. And in some tablet research conducted by the Strategic Counsel for Rogers, 6 in 10 tablet owners use their tablets for occasional or regular work use.

The How Tablets Are Transforming Business panel, featuring Margaret Stuart of SAP, Dr. Wendy Graham and Gord Stein, discussed tablets in business in more depth. The full video can be found below, and here are some highlights:

  • Margaret Stuart demonstrates SAP’s sales software, discusses security concerns and the benefits of mobile business analytics on tablets.
  • Gord Stein discusses how tablet features like intense portability, “always on” and lack of peripheral storage make it a good fit for certain business applications and workflow.
  • Dr. Wendy Graham talks about how she’s using tablets in her practice and her mobile software that enables ongoing communications and information sharing between healthcare providers and patients.
  • Gord Stein touches on a few unique examples of tablet usage in business:
    • Hyatt Hotels use of tablets to provide richer guest experience including room service, concierge and check-in.
    • Restaurant developing tablets sommelier program to better educate patrons on wine that accompanies  dishes, leading to greater sales.
    • A door-to-door beauty company using tablets to better demonstrate their cosmetics and enter orders instantly; so far, they’ve reduced order errors and have sped up delivery time.

Rogers TabLife TO video: How Tablets are Transforming Business from Rogers Buzz on Vimeo.

Click the video to watch the full panel discussion. If you’d like to see other panels from Rogers TabLife TO, including a demo of the BlackBerry PlayBook by RIM’s David Neale, please click here.

Are you using tablets for business? What type of applications are you using them for? Are you looking to get more tablets in the next 12 months?

Rob Manne is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz.

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