Smartphone Applications For Computer Technicians Pt1 – iPhone/iPad

Authors: Bryce Whitty

Smartphones are very quickly becoming an important business tool and they are absolutely ideal for the onsite Computer Technician. In this article, I would like to share with you some iPhone applications that Computer Technicians use in their businesses.

If you have a Blackberry, Android or Windows 7 based smartphone, please list the applications that you make heavy use of (and the device you are using) in the comments below and I will include them in the next Smartphone app article.

Teamviewer
I always had wondered how good a remote desktop application could be on an iPhone with its small screen. I tried out the free version for use on my own machines and found the speed to be very impressive. I was testing it on an iPhone 3G which is one of the older iPhones over the 3G network which can also be slow. I was really impressed with how well it ran. It is free for personal use but you need to pay for the Pro version if you are using it to support any clients.

TeamViewer – Free Version (personal use only)
TeamViewer Pro – $99.99

iPad Versions:
TeamViewer HD – Free Version (personal use only)
TeamViewer Pro HD – $139.99

LogMeIn Ignition
LogMeIn Ignition allows you to directly control one or more of your computers anywhere. It has a different interface to Teamviewer but they both work great on an old iPhone 3G over the 3G network.
LogMeIn Ignition – $29.99

iSSH
iSSH is effectively several clients in one, containing functionality for ssh/telnet/raw connections, an X11 server and VNC tunneling. iSSH supports multiple, simultaneous connections with more complete terminal compatibility, more configurable macro and key options and an intuitive UI.
iSSH – $9.99



TripCubby
Computer Technicians do a large amount of driving going onsite and use up a lot of petrol. Luckily, the petrol that you use to get to your clients house would be considered a business expense so you can you can get a tax deduction or reimbursement. Trip Cubby is an application designed for anyone who needs to track mileage for tax reasons. It was designed with IRS compliance in mind and allows you to export the information as a CSV file via email.
Trip Cubby – $4.99


Squareup
I mentioned Squareup on Technibble a while ago when I wrote about accepting credit cards. Squareup is a service that allows you to accept credit card payments onsite by turning your iPhone/iPad into a credit card reader thanks to a small attachment.
Square – Free (for the application, not to signup)

Scany
Scany is a powerful multifunctional networking instrument for finding connected devices, looking up detailed device information, network troubleshooting, scanning ports, testing network security and firewalls.
Scany offers lots of useful tools in addition to its primary feature of scanning your Wi-Fi, LAN or any other network and providing detailed information about any device connected to it, its domain and network names, addresses and vendor. Scany also includes a whole set of networking utilities such as ping, traceroute, remote wake (WOL), Whois, Geo IP and shows information about active network connections along with the external IP address of your router.
Scany – $0.99


BSOD: Stop Codes
BSOD: Stop Codes is an application that provides indexed information on Microsoft Windows (blue screen) stop codes. This application allows you to lookup common stop codes that can be found on the MSDN web site provided by Microsoft without the need for an active cellular data or wifi network.
BSOD: Stop Codes – Free


Dropbox
Dropbox is an incredibly useful and powerful service that allows you to sync files between computers and devices. Dropbox is so well known that many other applications also allow you to syncronize the data made in that application with your Dropbox account.
You can create a free Dropbox account here.
Dropbox – Free


Aplayer
Aplayer is an application designed to allow the user to view their IP based security cameras from their iPhone. I have heard of some Computer Technicians using it to keep an eye on their technicians in the shop while they are onsite.
Aplayer – Free


Newegg
0 0The application Newegg is exactly what you expect it would be, Newegg for the iPhone.
The application provides you with an iPhone optimized layout of the website which is great for onsite price checks.
Newegg – Free


Amazon
1 1Just like the Newegg application, its Amazon for the iPhone. Again, great for quick onsite price checks.
Amazon – Free


Run Your Client Management Software
Dont forget, many Client Management solutions also have web option which allows you to access it on a mobile device. CommitCRM is a desktop application but also runs a web server allowing you to access it via the internet. mHelpDesk has a native iPhone application and ShopManager is a web based application so you can also access that via you mobile browser. You can also make a shortcut link to your CRM appear on the main page of the iPhone.

If you believe I missed any great iPhone applications for Technicians that are worth a mention, please leave us a comment. If you have a Blackberry, Android or Windows 7 based smartphone, please list the applications that you make heavy use of (and the device you are using) in the comments below and I will include them in the next Smartphone app article.

© Technibble – A Resource for Computer Technicians to start or improve their computer business
To get started with your own computer business, check out our Computer Business Kit. Smartphone Applications For Computer Technicians Pt1 – iPhone/iPad

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