Apple's popular iPad is a hot commodity with consumers but can they be used to make your business better?

Here are 6 ways other companies have tailored the iPad to make a better customer experience and enhance their overall service.

iPad as Entertainment

Perhaps the best example of how a company can use the iPad to provide entertainment to its customers is Jetstar's plan of using a modified iPad in place of in-flight entertainment systems. Jetstar is going to use an iPad with a larger battery life to provide its passengers with their own personal entertainment system.

iPad as an Inventory Tool

The handheld device is perfect for inventory management. Haigh Australia has created an iPad app that helps staff view stock information, availability, and other unique features to make it easier to look for inventory.

"The biggest benefit that they can see is that they have all the information there," assistant manager Wendy La Macchia told The Australian recently.

"They can see what the customer has bought, they can see what their price is and they can see what their account status is, and use a sales diary to write notes."

iPad as Waiter

The iPad is a great tool for restaurants who want to cut back on staff. Restaurants offer iPads to allow customers to order from a custom-developed iPad app and the order is directly routed to the kitchen.

iPad as an Office Tool

iPads can cut down on paper use in offices. Superannuation fund QSuper has replaced all of its paper documents for board meetings with iPads. Each board member has a "board pack" that keeps documents under encryption protocols and other security redundancies.

Chief officer systems and change, Baden Sharples, said in a statement that the solution comes as the "ever increasing volume of work" continues to demand attention.

"The elegance of this implementation is that it provides immediate remote and mobile iPad access to not only the necessary board pack materials, but can connect board members with broader fund information should they need it."

iPad as a Marketing Tool

The iPad can be used as a marketing tool. For example Mercedes uses the iPad to provide their salespeople with marketing programs for specific models.

"The iPad will provide a competitive advantage to our dealers by increasing their service levels through a more flexible financing process," said Andreas Hinrichs, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz Financial, in a release.

iPad as an Enhanced Store Experience

For high-end customers an iPad could provide a unique shopping experience. Burberry stores in London use the iPad to allow users to view their collection via a custom-built iPad app. Nike stores use the iPad to provide customers the chance to customize their shoes in-store using a unique app.