Cloud-based iPresent tool shows presentations on iPad

UK developer Compsoft has launched an iPad application and cloud service designed for sales executives to deliver presentations from the device and have access to the most up-to-date content while out on the road.

Available now, iPresent is aimed at fulfilling one of the most compelling business usage scenarios for a tablet – that of presenting content to a small audience from a highly portable device that is more convenient to carry than a laptop.

However, iPresent is also designed to address a major limitation of the iPad in this area – being able to show video and other content at the same time, according to the firm.

"Businesses are attracted by the tactile-ness of the iPad, but they also want to be able to display a mix of content – video PDF, and presentations – and it isn't easy to switch between resources like that," explained Compsoft marketing director Paul Cranston.

Cranston added that the firm is not trying to replace Apple's own Keynote presentations tool, but offer a mechanism to display Keynote alongside other content.

The iPresent app on the iPad is linked to a secure web-based content management system (CMS) through which organisations distribute content to their end users.

Content creators can assemble material into a menu structure containing content from a variety of sources, including Microsoft PowerPoint files, PDFs, spreadsheets, Word documents and audio content, Compsoft said.

Administrators can define groups of users who each have access to different sets of content based on their roles.

The app checks the CMS whenever the iPad has a Wi-Fi connection and synchronises, if necessary, to ensure that each user has the most up-to-date content with them.

"It's better than SharePoint, because it is designed to be a lot more accessible and is tailored specifically for a sales environment," said Cranston.

The iPresent service is available on a monthly subscription basis. The Standard edition costs £14 per user per month for up to 10 iPad licenses, but does not support user groups. The Pro edition costs £20 per user per month for an unlimited number of licenses.

A one-month free trial is also available. The app can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store.