Which iPad software for EFB???
 

To those who currently use iPads for EFBs on a distributed scale across multiple devices...

What software is used for keeping the iPads current at each document update cycle? I read recently that Jetstar are using iPads as EFBs not only for W&B but also for Documents.

The plan is for about 20 iPads to be used in an ATC environment for accessing charts and documents including temporary local documents. The iPads are required to be in flight mode while in the operation centre due to the possibility of radio interference, so online internet/intranet access isn't available. At each AIRAC date the iPads will be taken out of the ops room and have flight mode switched off to allow for updates to sync via either a wifi or 3G connection.
I'd like to have a folder located on a local server that can be easily updated by an administrator, at each update the iPads will sync to that folder.

All the documents are in PDF format and will be opened in Adobe Reader (unless there's a better option). The charts will be provided via OzRunways.

We can't use iTunes at all because of stability* issues, and the use of online cloud servers like Dropbox are also out because of security* issues.

Any thoughts on what software is available or what others are already using are appreciated. Eventually things will have to be dragged into the current decade..

Thanks all
Kieran

*so says the IT security folks, it doesn't help that we're all using windows XP and office 2003.
### Everything said is personal opinion only, with no endorsement from company (because company policy says so) ###

There is no basis to say that Dropbox is insecure. It is a fully password protected cloud server. I assume that the information you are using is not sensitive in the military sense or commercial context therefore Dropbox is an easy way to provide you with the capability you seem to be after.

With regards to software on the iPad. I would recommend goodreader. It links to your Dropbox account and downloads (syncs) the documents to the iPad allowing the information to be used offline. When a new Airac is released just connect to the wifi/3G and hit sync. Goodreader will do the rest.

Thanks Steve, the thing is, I know Dropbox is secure and use it for all my files everyday. The IT security folks on the other hand are less inclined use anything that hasn't been around for more the 10 years it seems*
I will look more into Goodreader more and see if I can sync it to a local server.

Cheers
Kieran

*again, personal opinion only, not company endorsed bla bla bla.

Try PDF Expert maybe.....that seems to work well for us, and the sync is really straightforward.....

F/o

Goodreader can sync to quite a wide range of services including microsoft server folders on your local network. For a simple solution without a specific application i would suggest to use that app, works great for me, including syncing the documentation from my company (which changes every week).