Using a tablet computer to submit reports

I am trying to find out if a tablet can replace my laptop for shopping a route. I am concerned about needing to use 2 or 3 different browsers, scanning receipts, editing and resizing photos, and all the other technical things I do on my laptop when preparing a group of shops for submission. If any of you are successfully using a tablet, can you please advise me? Thanks.

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I use a tablet for some, not for others. Unless there are companies you just don't want to work for, a tablet will not completely replace a regular PC. What I might recommend is a larger Windows 8.1 tablet that has the real version of Windows (not RT). That would, indeed, completely replace a laptop or desktop for shop reports.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Thanks, bgriffin. It won't do me any good to buy a tablet for just some of the shops. Besides, I would want to get an Android.

Then some things definitely would not work, such as uploading required photos to MarketForce.
I will say that I do a lot of shops on my Android tablet and I absolutely love the ability to leave a location and have my report submitted and done.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

I am still using a Toshiba laptop because I use the full version of Adobe Photoshop and I've been told that tablets can't handle PS.

@ bgriffin ~ What I don't understand is how does a tablet make submitting reports quicker? Are you saying that you actually fill out the report while you are doing the shop? Wouldn't that be equivalent to bringing a hard copy report? And we all know that is a no-no. I guess since I don't use a tablet, I am not understanding the process. And I'm sure I am not the only one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain

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I use it to do quick reports right after I leave the location. For instance when some people who stop to jot down notes really quick, I actually just submit the report.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Ok, so you are not writing long narratives and uploading 20+ images for gas station audits, correct? I do fine dining and hotels and I honestly think I can type a lot quicker on my laptop than a touch screen. Or do you have the additional keyboard?

No no no. I only use it for no narrative type reports. Something like a Five Guys.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Ok, thanks. And I don't care what all those other people say about you. I think you can actually be helpful at times.

Dammit! I forgot I'm supposed to be unhelpful!

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Well, you are still a PITA if that is any consolation.

Spectacular news!

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Now that's more like it!

I have recently discovered the joys of reporting within minutes using a tablet. It seems an audit with a lot of photos could be problematic, but so far uploading POV has not been an issue. I feel comfortable enough writing small amounts of narrative. My preference is usually for shops that aren't as narrative intensive or to limit the number to one a day.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Your average tablet just ain't going to cut it. I found a better alternative, a mini laptop.

I used to have a Vaio mini and loved that thing to death (literally) but there wasn't much free Wi Fi then so taking it out of the house was kind of pointless.

Now I have a mini Dell Inspiron that is just the ticket. It is small enough to fit in a large purse / small tote but large enough to do any kind of work and has Windows 7. It has a nice bright screen too, easy to see in most outdoor conditions other than direct sun.

My only worry is having it in the car in the heat of summer. If I know I am going to be in a location longer than 30 min I will take the tote with me if the car temps get too high.

I got it used on Ebay for a super good price.

Who writes long narratives on gas station reports?

Also typing on a tablet is faster if you use the swype
method. You just drag your finger between the letters
and the word pops up. It learns your style as it goes
and will be superfast in know time. Trying to peck at
virtual keys on a tablet or smartphone is nonsense.
Swyping is the way to go! The app is free in the
app store for those that don't have it already available
on their phone or tablet's keyboard.

Sometimes I do reports on the road and sometimes I do
them all at once later. Depends on any number of factors
before deciding what to do. Number of pictures and having
to write a few lines won't stop me from doing them on site.
And if it is revealed you can do the report as you go along.
Even better.

= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody

Narratives are required for many retail shops and I would have to say all fine dining and hotels/resorts. So I guess a tablet could serve a purpose for some shops while on the road but it is not worth the investment for me right now. They will keep making improvements so who knows a year from now.

Damn. Germany just scored.

I have been looking for the same thing. Ideally I would like a tablet or mini laptap that I would be able to do all the reports on before I even got home. Thanks for the thread - it has given me some ideas. There are so many places that offer free Wifi that it should be doable. I hate writing the reports after a long day but could easily do it at Starbucks after the shop. Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of device would work for this?

windows 8.1 8 or 10 inch tablets include full
version of windows and a free copy of office.
can't beat the value

Quick question - can you download pictures?

techman01 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> windows 8.1 8 or 10 inch tablets include full
> version of windows and a free copy of office.
> can't beat the value

That's my next purchase. There's a sweet Dell 10" that I've been eyeing.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> techman01 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > windows 8.1 8 or 10 inch tablets include full
> > version of windows and a free copy of office.
> > can't beat the value
>
>
> That's my next purchase. There's a sweet Dell 10"
> that I've been eyeing.

Get it from their outlet store. Chose the certified not
scratch and dent. The certified are almost always brand
new just a return or box that was damaged, they then
repackage it. And buy it during their monthly sale where
they discount the outler store 30%. Great value. I bought
a 8" dell for alittle over 100 bucks that way. Also dont forget
to get their active stylus. Makes it much more usable on a small
screen.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2014 10:32PM by techman01.

I had five shops today that were entered on the fly. In the case of the last three there was no interstate travel and the reports were entered at stoplights. By the time I reached the next destination 10 minutes away I was hitting submit.

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Using a tablet computer to submit reports

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