Technology could provide a buffer against the economic downturn

To sustain a market position and compete effectively, companies must establish a leadership position in technology adoption and usage to enable greater productivity, particularly given the current global economic downturn, says global information and communication technology (ICT) supplier Sahara deputy MD Gary Naidoo.

The ICT sector has felt the pinch of the current market conditions, but this sector, says Naidoo, is the driver of growth in any business and will take on a greater responsibility by assisting companies strategise and reduce costs during this period.

"Information technology (IT) is a definite requirement for any medium-to-large enterprise that will provide corporate governance, best practice, profitability and sustainability," he says.
He says that ICT distributors, vendors and suppliers must focus on how to accommodate customers within their new budgets, by marketing not only products, but also solutions that will fulfil the requirements of the end-user. He adds that service and maintenance, which is a growing trend in this sector, is crucial for ICT companies if they are to survive and compete profitably in the market.

This sector, he says, has experienced a decline in sales, especially in desktop personal computers, where growth is generally driven by the business sector.
Meanwhile, Sahara says that it is confident about its position in the sector, and is approaching the current market conditions "aggressively". The company is targeting alternative markets and opportunities for this year and aims to increase its engagements with customers.
The company is rolling out a road show this month, in collaboration with different partners, and will target schools, universities, government and the corporate sector. Not only is it a branding campaign, but a mechanism through which Sahara aims to educate the end-user on IT.
"The ICT sector has a responsibility to ensure that more end-users are educated, as this is a challenge that our industry must collectively deal with," says Naidoo.

Naidoo points out that Sahara has experienced a strong growth rate and that the company is expecting to increase its revenue for the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same period last year.

By: Brindaveni Naidoo
20th February 2009

Talk to Sahara for direct, hassle-free support

[Johannesburg, 18 February 2009] - In the current economic climate, consumers of technology rely heavily on resellers, distributors and vendors to each play a role in helping them to extract maximum benefit from economically sound and wise investments.This is the view of Gary Naidoo, deputy MD of Sahara, who, as representative of management of the company, proudly introduces Talk to Sahara direct-to-consumer support service.

The initiative, already in operation at Sahara Computers, is a premier after-sales support service implemented to directly assist local consumers by offering direct, hassle-free access to comprehensive helpdesk services and reinforce the company's high levels of customer support.Talk to Sahara is designed as a free call-back service, which is accessible nationally and assists customers with queries about a wide range of products. Sahara is an established supplier of mobile and wireless, digital lifestyle and information communication technology - its core target markets include government, corporate and education.To engage the Talk to Sahara service involves an expedient two-step process to address any query. After logging on to the official Web site of Sahara Computers (http://www.sahara.co.za/), one simply clicks onto the relevant link (Talk to Sahara) and then type in contact information - a number, including dialing code and a name - then click on the Call button.

A customer can expect a response to his/her query in less than thirty seconds. This online direct support is available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.The call centre staff are fully trained for support and service pertaining to Sahara products.Talk to Sahara falls under the umbrella of Sahara's ongoing proactive technology awareness campaign called Get IT, and is designed to scale up the existing after-sales support structure within the company.

It is an extension of the company's overall objective and strategy to consistently reinforce the sales and services component of its operation."Our positioning with after-sales support services has been very proactive and successful to date. The launch of this service simply reinforces our depth, speed and value in the form of direct access and response, which saves the consumer a great deal of time and effort to have dealt with quickly and effectively," explains Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara."The core message we would like to get out to the public is that technology is a critical element of our modern lifestyle. Consumers want the peace of mind that their investment will add value – and, if there are questions or queries – that they do have an available channel through which to engage experts and gain immediate response, advice and answers."For more information, click through to http://www.sahara.co.za/ or call (011)542-1000.