Since its US launch, Apple has sold more than 1,000,000 iPads, with large numbers being snapped up by businesses. The iPad is set to hit the shelves in Europe on Friday 28 May, and promises to be similarly successful. Having used the iPad since its US launch, Pharmaceutical SaaS supplier Interactive Medica believes that its combination of speed and ease of use will revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry. Organisations such as the London NHS Trust are already rolling out less sophisticated Tablet PCs, but the iPad will be a major step forward and Interactive Medica has already planned to trial the iPad with existing customers.

Richard Jenkinson, Managing Director of Interactive Medica said, "We've been using the iPad with our dashboard and CRM solutions since its US release and our view is that it has the potential to be a game changer both for the pharma and healthcare sectors. The iPad can bring to life product information for sales staff whilst also collecting data that can be subsequently used in profiling and segmentation strategy. As it can connect to the internet via 3G or wirelessly, sales representatives will be able to work more effectively in the field, and managers can liaise in real time with the sales representative.”

“With new technology, capable of transforming how we work, entering the market, this is a very exciting time for the pharmaceutical industry. As we looked to the future when we developed our web-based software, our customers can already use our products on the iPad. This means that they can take advantage of this major technological innovation without having to re-invent their IT systems to cope.”

“We have agreed to trial the iPad with a number of our clients once it is launched in Europe and will be working closely with them, using our experience, to look at innovative new ways in which pharma companies can benefit from this technology. The results of this trial will be published later this year."