Glass and Garnish -Back of house business equipment - iPad and keyboard

So in trying to work out my business processes I came to the decision that I want to keep my info on hand and readily available anywhere I go.  Since I'm a mobile bartender, all my information needs to be mobile too.  After doing some research I decided to go with an IPad and my iPhone.

With the right apps it is really a life saver to have everything

Here is my basic "office".

Ipad- it is an older version Ipad but I don't need the latest and greatest for my business needs, yet.   The camera is great, the processor is fast, and it is a solid machine.  I type up menus, shopping lists, calculate ingredient quantities, create estimates, process payments all with this little tablet.  Modern technology is awesome to run a home business.

My go to apps for business - Pages, Numbers, Evernote, Penultimate, Adobe reader, Dropbox, iMovie, Mint.com, Units Plus, Paypal Here, and my new FAVORITE app is Simple Mind +.

I use a wireless keyboard / protective case with my Ipad.  The SHARKK® iPad Keyboard unit is pretty cool.   It rotates 360 degrees, folds clam shell style, and feels great to the touch.  The keys have a good tactile response.   My V key popped off one day and Amazon ask me to send it back to them for a full refund.   So I just reordered another one after the refund came through. It's on the way as I type.  Typing is faster with a keyboard and this one is great for my usage.

I like that the Keyboard will turn off by itself after some time of inactivity.  The pairing is simple easy.  I havent had any trouble with it at all.   I really love that the connector arm that hold and pivots the ipad to the keyboard is fully detatchable and can be used as a stand alone stand. This has been really helpfull to use as a stand without needed the keyboard itself.  I needed to displaya cocktail menu at an event but only had one printed and framed.   So I just pulled out my tablet, removed the stand from the keyboard and set it out  to display the menu.  It was a great think on the fly solution.

A point that is a little awkward is the right hand shift key.  It is placed undere the return key and next tothe up arrow key.  This takes some time to get used too.  I keep hitting the arrow up key and have to catch myself and correct it before I get to far along typing.

I have put a Youtube unboxing video here.
Unboxing video

     

Ipad                                                         Portable Keyboard