This month we have launched our new iPad Loan Program to provide Town Highway Departments with a chance to try out a tablet and its applications for public works. Our program has taken this approach to provide an opportunity for towns to work with a tablet and decide if purchasing one would be a worthwhile investment. Town of Groton Road Foreman Brent Smith became the first participant in this program this past week. I spent the afternoon with Brent demonstrating and discussing the potential uses of the iPad for his department. We went over using it for email, taking and sharing photos and videos, using applications to create reports both visually and with recorded voiceovers included, and accessing websites like e911 maps and VOBCIT.
If your Vermont town is interested in participating in the iPad loan program, please call (802-654-2652) or email me (ewells@smcvt.edu) and we can discuss it. Our program asks that borrowers abide by our use policy, and receive training and set-up instruction for the iPad. Loan periods will last at least a week, and will vary depending on demand. This is a new program for us, and as it is getting established there will be additional details to work out along the way.
-Erik Wells
Vermont Local Roads 