I-Phone as a paperless business tool

[ross]

All

As I am planning my start up and awaiting my kits arrival I have been focused on getting the admin side of the house in order.

I am going to use my I-phone as my POS tool in the field. I can take credit cards, invoice, issue quotes, scan, fax, email, inventory blah blah blah

It sounds great and the geek in me is stoked but...

Has anyone else used their smart phone like this and if so what are your feeling and results. Any recommended apps? I am looking to use Ring it Up POS and iMerchant for the credit card processing. I want them because of the swipe device support, for some reason that seems really under supported on the I phone right now.

I am open to suggestions and dialogue

Cheers

[paulrsf]

I use an iPhone app called "Swipe" I considered several mobile apps for credit card processing. Here is why I finally settled on the one I did. 1. It works in conjunction with your paypal account so as soon as you enter the customer's credit card info and complete the sale, the money is in your account.
2. The application is constructed so that the customers can actually sign their name on your iPhone making the need for a credit card swiper unnecessary.
3. The application sends a receipt for the sale to your customer via email.

Some of the other applications I considered before I started using Swipe had some similar features, but this app included them all. I've been using the application for the past two months without a hitch. If you would like additional info, (website, etc.) please private message me and I will forward it to you.

[ross]

Thanks, I will check that one out.

[candyman]

How expenseive is the Iphone, and normal fees each month? Was it hard to learn how to use it?

[t4k]

How expenseive is the Iphone, and normal fees each month? Was it hard to learn how to use it?

The phone costs around $200 - $300 and the cheapest monthly charge is about $80.00. It is very easy to learn to operate, Apple made it pretty much fool proof.

[Ricersux]

I'm a droid user and have been looking into a cc processing app called Square up or something. I use goggle checkout currently and it works pretty good but its not very mobile friendly.

[ross]

paulrsf - the paypal aspect, could you explain more on how your set up with them please?

the iPhone 3G 8gb with a new contract is 100.00. I was lucky and am grandfathered in on the "unlimited" data plan. They cap it now but it still is a good chunck of data. I think its around 60.00 a month to start. Keep the phone out of a teens hands and you should be just fine.

Keep in mind as well the iPad. I am adding as my desktop replacement. The great thing about it is the 3G option. You can use it on a cell 3G network. And its PAY AS YOU GO. Geek it up folks

[paulrsf]

paulrsf - the paypal aspect, could you explain more on how your set up with them please?

the iPhone 3G 8gb with a new contract is 100.00. I was lucky and am grandfathered in on the "unlimited" data plan. They cap it now but it still is a good chunck of data. I think its around 60.00 a month to start. Keep the phone out of a teens hands and you should be just fine.

Keep in mind as well the iPad. I am adding as my desktop replacement. The great thing about it is the 3G option. You can use it on a cell 3G network. And its PAY AS YOU GO. Geek it up folks

I use Swipe along with my paypal account but the app works with almost all of the other well known gateways, (Authorize.Net, etc). The reason I use it with paypal is because I already have a paypal merchant account from another business that I own. I also trust paypal from years of past experience. In order to use Swipe with paypal, you need to have either a PayPal Website Payments Pro account or a PayPal PayFlow Gateway. If you have either one of these accounts, setting up Swipe takes literally five minutes. During the activation process, you simply provide Swipe with the requested paypal information for your account. Paypal makes two small deposits into your bank account which you then verify. Once you do, you are good to go. I started accepting credit cards that same day.

At the risk of sounding like I am promoting Swipe or Paypal, I'd prefer to give you and further details privately -which I am more than happy to do.

[ross]

alas I am unable to message or email anyone, if you could my email should be visiable to you. Thanks Paul!

[Eco Steam]

The question I have for everyone is how many of you would utilize an application for your iPhone, iPad, and/or Android enabled phone?

An actual Application that was designed for Windshield Repairs?

Just curious..

Thanks!