The iPad’s digital coattails are long and there are no shortage of people riding them.  The most persistent appear to be rotating around its axis as if trying to acquire a suntan by means of the occasional ray.  Their status being elevated by merely being in proximity to one.

Is it all hype? Or does Apple have another big winner on its hands?  Judging by my friends’ responses, version one is a fantastic first try, but wait for version 2 (here’s another perspective by David Winer).

But if you already have one or are getting one,  then start with these apps for business. 

The Judging Criteria

Below are all iPad apps that were made for the iPad (not simply an iPhone port).  They were also highly rated by the community and/or suggested by Steve Bjorg and others when a request was made via Twitter. 

#1 Autodesk SketchBook Pro

Autodesk SketchBook® Pro for iPad is a professional-grade paint and drawing application. Using the same paint engine as its desktop counterpart, SketchBook Pro delivers a complete set of sketching & painting tools through a streamlined and intuitive user interface designed exclusively for the iPad experience. 
Who is this for? The occasional designer or professional illustrator

#2 Square – Accept payments. Everywhere.

Quickly and securely accept payments for your business, service, charity, or even your couch. Generate email and SMS receipts for cash and card payments, maintain frequently sold items, calculate sales tax, and effortlessly manage and visualize all the money you take with an intuitive web-based interface.

Who is this for? Mobile businesses or those retail establishments that want to check their customer’s out in the shopping aisle.

#3 Evernote 

Evernote turns the iPad into an extension of your brain, helping you remember anything and everything that happens in your life. From notes to ideas to snapshots to recordings, put it all into Evernote and watch as it instantly synchronizes from your iPhone to your Mac or Windows desktop.

Who is this for? The multi-tasker, project manager, or lifestreamer. 

#4 Numbers

Numbers is a very innovative spreadsheet app designed for mobile computing. It’s the application you know and love for the Mac, completely reworked from the ground up for iPad. Tap the bright Multi-Touch display to create compelling, great-looking spreadsheets in minutes. 250 easy-to-use functions, an intelligent keyboard, flexible tables, and eye-catching charts, are at your fingertips. Caution: no Excel exporting yet

Who is this for?  The numerati on the go

#5 Keynote

Keynote is a powerful presentation app designed for a mobile device. It’s the application you know and love on the Mac, but completely reworked from the ground up for iPad. It makes creating a world-class presentation, complete with animated charts and transitions, as simple as touching and tapping. Caution: Read the comments before downloading

Who is this for? Presenters, speakers and sales people

#6 OmniGraphSketcher

Use OmniGraphSketcher for iPad to make elegant and precise graphs in seconds, whether you have specific data to report or a concept to explain.

Who is this for? Most employees need a graphing tool

#7 iBooks

iBooks is an amazing way to download and read books, designed exclusively for iPad. iBooks includes the iBookstore, where you can download the latest best-selling books or your favorite classics – day or night. Browse your library on a beautiful bookshelf, tap a book to open it, flip through pages with a swipe or a tap, and bookmark your favorite passages.

Who is this for? All employees

#8 Webex for iPad

Attend WebEx meetings on your iPad, wherever you are. Use this application to get the full meeting experience with simultaneous data and audio. Don’t just listen in to a meeting. Join in.

Who is this for? Webinar attendees and those hosting webinars

#9 Outlook Web Access 2003 for iPad

Not rated yet

Connect to any implementation of Outlook Web Access 2003 with this custom-built application. If both of the following are true, this is the application for you:
✔ You connect to Outlook Web Access 2003 using a web browser to view and send e-mails
✔ IMAP, POP3, and SMTP are disabled in Microsoft Exchange
The Microsoft Exchange functionality built in to the iPhone or iPod

Who is this for? Anyone with Microsoft Outlook 2003

#10 Citrix Receiver for iPad

The new Citrix Receiver for iPad app makes it easy for iPad owners to take their virtual office with them on the go. One simple touch gives iPad owners secure access to all of their corporate Windows applications and desktops, making it easy to work from anywhere, while still enjoying the great user experience they bought an iPad for in the first place. Caution: Citrix XenApp or XenDesktop infrastructure required for production use.

Who is it for? Telecommuters, traveling salespeople and virtual employees

Did I miss any useful Enterprise or Business apps developed for the iPad?  If so please share in the comments below.