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- Smartphone Applications For Computer Technicians Pt1 – iPhone/iPad
Smartphone Applications For Computer Technicians Pt1 – iPhone/iPad
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 (personal use only)
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 – $999.99
Mileage Log+
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.
Mileage Log+ – $9.99
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
The 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
Just 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.
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Hey Guys,
Another great article as ever for technicians who are always on the move. Maybe we could add Android Apps for techs with android smart phones.
iNet Pro, SpeedTest, IPCalc, and WiFi Analyzer are all extremely invaluable.
I just wanted to add one more to the list. MHelpdesk Mobile! Computer techs can use it to schedule jobs and to view job details on the go. Check it out.
http://mhelpdesk.com/mobile-field-service-management-app/
Vincent.
invoice2go for the iphone(and soon Ipad) for on the fly invoicing. Create your invoices complete with logo and ‘paid’ stamp and email the pdf. Very professional looking. There is a desktop version as well.
Good article!
One of my most used apps is Account Tracker
It is ideal to use as a cash book for logging received payments.
Mactracker, database of mac specs
http://www.mactracker.ca/ios.html
PhoneMyPC is remote control tool that works on Android.
I use HoursTracker to log all my time. Allows for multiple jobs and clients. Has a lunch break feature, a clock in/out button and has some built in reporting. Also can be exported in csv for external manipulation.
Am using a G1 droid running 2.2 froyo. Cannot wait to check out what others might be using.
Bar Code Scanner, must have
Expensify – I use to scan receipts, checks. Not intended for this use but I scan all my customer checks and put into a report. Free for single user.
WiFiAnalyser – handy
OntheJobManagement – Awesome scheduling tool (who what where when). This app makes the stock calendar easy to use. It is so handy I feel like I am giving up a trade secret.
keepass droid – essential
Dropbox – essential
Seek Droid – essential, will find your phone, turn on gps, lock it, and wipe it and sd card if lost/stolen.
Google Voice – My primary customer number. Getting a text message of voice mail and being able to listen to voice on the road = priceless
StopWatch – time those boot times to see how I am doing.
MobileBiz – Invoice app
Aldiko reader and solitaire for down time.
I would ad pdanet or a similar program. Sometimes I’ll go to a clients house that still has dial-up. I’ll usb tether my droid to their computer and install the pdanet client 3G is much much faster. Just make sure you uninstall it before you leave.
I use WifiAnylzer. It displays a nice colorful graph of all the available wifi networks and shows where their signals and channels overlap, it has a few helpful tools which are designed to help you spot out a good free channel. Use this all the time on my Droid when setting up wireless networks.
+1 for Google Voice. It’s a must for me. What I love about it, is that it transcribes voice messages. I usually don’t even listen to my messages anymore. I just read them and when I call the client back and repeat the information they gave me and ask more questions about their issues. It really impresses them, they think I have a good memory. lol
I also love Google Googles. It can translate any barcode, even obscure ones and find what I need. I just scanned one on the back of a cd case, for a client and it pulled up the recovery disks for their PC. Perfect.
I use both the BSOD codes app and the Amazon app. I didn’t know that Newegg has an app now. I also use an app for speedtest.net and a password app.
Thanks for the post.
I use an iPhone app called ‘Timewerks’ to record and invoice client work start/stop times. (Kinda like a time clock) You can add your hourly rate into the software and it will even break it down into 15 minute incriminates which I prefer to do after the first hour. After you complete a session you can finalize the bill and email a copy to the customer. It also includes an inventory feature as well but I haven’t used it yet. There’s a free version you can check out as well before you buy. I think the full blown edition cost was $5 when I picked it up about a year ago.
Google voice is a definite must as Mike Lierman points out. It’s a second phone number (for my business) on my iPhone. Beat’s the stew out of carrying 2 phones.
The NewEgg app is also super convenient. I’ve ordered parts for people before I’ve even left the work site. Very very handy.
Other notable apps:
WiFiFoFum, Dropbox, Speed Test & LogMeIn Ignition.
Windows 7 based smartphone.
Need tech applications that work on it.
Thanks.
I’m using “Form Tools” on the ipad for my work orders. Import a pre-created PDF, create text boxes where you want details to be filled in and then you can have a free hand signature on there too. It works out well and looks very professional. Think it cost about $4.
Autotask released a revised version of their Live Mobile app which makes it more of an app for iPhone/iPad and Droid. Yuu must be an Autotask user to take advantage but it’s a very long awaited addition to their product offering.
I use EverNote all the time. The ability to view and edit on my phone, computer, and anyone else’s computer via their website makes it nice enough. There are paid and free versions too.