iPad's effect on Business

When Apple first released the iPad, many consumers flocked to the stores because they had to have the newest Apple gadget.  Business, werent so sure how they would hold up to their standards, but as time went one more and more businesses decided to join in and start supporting Apple iPads in their day-to-day business functions.

Mercedes Benz Financial, an automotive leasing company, affiliated with Mercedes Benz, tried out the new iPads in about 40 Mercedes Benz dealerships.  The tablet is used to connect to the MB Advantage app.  This app allows salesman to take back an end-of-lease vehicle, and start new paperwork.  The device and application are set up to allow the salesman more time on the sales floor, rather then having to go back and forth to an office to complete paperwork.  By allowing the sales staff more time on the floor, Mercedes is hoping for an increase in sales figures.

From their test, Mercedes Benz is now giving each of their 355 dealerships one 3G iPad, however the dealerships will have to pay for the data package.  The reason for the 3G iPads, versus the regular WiFi iPad is that during the course of the observation period, sales representatives wanted to start paperwork while on a test-drive.  These iPads are costing MB almost $300,000.  Another perk for the web-based module is that the development kit for this app is painless, compared to the iPhone.  Mercedes needed to hire outside consultants familiar with the iPhone to build that app, whereas this new platform requires minor cosmetic changes to the web-based application.  Lastly, Mercedes chose Apple for their primary devices, because they both have similar company cultures which create products that look to change and re-invient an industry.  Tap on!