Hi Maja,

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology started using iPads with TMS a year and half ago.  We are NOT using Citrix on the iPad, although we are using a Remote Desktop Protocol application.

We use the iPad app "iTap RDP".  

I'm sure there are other remote desktop apps out there, but this is the one we saw being used at the AAM conference, so we simply went with that.  It took us less than 60 minutes to go from concept to implementation.  (You can interpret that two ways: this is easy to do, a/o we didn't aggressively think through all implications....)

This program, essentially, takes over your desktop PC, so this program would allow us to run PhotoShop or any other desktop program.

I use it in collections management on a weekly basis, mostly when I simply go into storage looking for an object.  Rather than print out a report and bring the paper with me, I simply grab the iPad.  Also, when I go to any meeting, I usually bring the iPad, just in case I need to access TMS and search on the database.

And, if you're ever searching for an items that has been mis-shelved, the iPad is WONDERFUL since you can carry it up on a ladder, do a quick search on a new locations, etc, etc.

Our curators use it when they bring researchers into storage.

The iPad is very good and convenient for casual browsing and searching in TMS.  (Especially if you purchase one of those $29.95 covers that your hand can literally slip into.)  However, the iPad is definitely NOT convenient if you plan to do any type of extensive data entry.  The iPad's on-screen keyboard is definitely not meant for anything longer than a short email.

For data entry and inventory projects, we would still use a portable computer in storage.

Also, to mimic the mouse's drag n drop, and click n select, right-clicks, etc, our particular program uses special "touch the screen in this manner" work-arounds.  (e.g, a three finger click and drag, mimics the scroll bar.)  If you only use the iPad occasionally, it will take a 60 second refresher to remember all the unique navigations.

Since with our particular program, the iPad simply takes over your desktop computer (so your computer is actually running TMS, not the iPad), your desktop computer has to be up and running; and -since the program locks up your desktop computer while the iPad is active- you can't use the iPad AND your desktop at the same time.

I'm sure there are other ways to do this and other programs out there.  But this was our 60 minute and $9.95 solution.

(And, as a final word... I LOVE being able to access TMS from the iPad.  It's definitely change how we interact with the database in a storage room.)

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments,
David


David K. DeBono Schafer, Senior Collections Manager
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-496-5748  (f) 617-495-7535



-----Original Message-----
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Maja Clark
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: TMS via Citrix on an iPad

Anyone out there access TMS remotely on an iPad? If so, I'd be interested in knowing what the pros and cons are of using TMS remotely on an iPad vs. a laptop.

thanks,
Maja

Maja Clark
Collections Manager, Shangri La
Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
www.shangrilahawaii.org<http://www.shangrilahawaii.org>

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