Sahara fires up the local netbook market with latest offering

Latest in extensive range of high quality, affordable mobile solutions to meet growing user needs

Sahara Computers, global suppliers of information, communication and digital lifestyle technology, proudly announces the availability of its latest offering to the burgeoning netbook space, a growing and active market segment defined by low cost, feature-rich mobile solutions.

“Consumers have become quite used to workplace computing and are now looking at offerings at home for internet and email applications. The credit crunch has affected consumer budgets but this is where we believe the netbook offers a solution to meet their pocket,” explains Naidoo.

Netbooks, initially brought out to address the ultra low cost PC market segment, have now become fully functional mobile computing devices that can address the SOHO and education markets. It is an affordable option for education, photo and video viewing, social networking, e-mail, messaging, browsing, and numerous other Internet activities and basic applications

The incorporation of Intel® Atom™ technology ensures an easy-to-use mobile device that offers a seamless online experience.

The Sahara Imagebook, with 10.1” LCD widescreen, is powered by Intel® Atom™ technology and features 1GB memory, a 160GB hard disk drive and a built-in webcam. With models featuring built-in 3G, the Sahara Imagebook offers a complete anytime, anywhere computing experience.

The Sahara Imagebook offers the option of Ubuntu Linux or Microsoft Windows® XP Home Operating system as well as a one-year fetch and repair warranty.

“These benefits reflect Sahara’s ongoing effort to transfer the benefit of high powered, reliable, cost efficient mobile resources to a growing market place. The launch of this solution is timed well against the company’s ongoing Get IT services and support campaign, aimed at assisting the market, the channel and consumers to extract maximum benefit from technology investment,” says Naidoo.

Sahara Computers connects with Comsa

Sahara Computers, global suppliers of information, communication and digital lifestyle technology, has established a long-term alliance and formal relationship with the Communication Students Association (Comsa) with a view to providing access to technology, exposure to the possibility of workplace experience and the dynamics of trade.

The initiative was launched recently at Sahara and marked by the handing over of a Sahara mobile solution to enthusiastic members of the Comsa executive management council.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, said the initiative was another very important step forward for the company and its continued support and sponsorship of education in South Africa.

“Education, incorporating training and PC literacy, remains an important market segment and area of interest for Sahara,” says Naidoo. “We are pleased to have entered into a joint initiative and partnership with this established student representative organisation and believe our early donation of a mobile solution signals our intent to fully support efforts to bridge the gap between learners and workplace opportunity.”

Bheki Mdhluli, Comsa chairperson, said the Association was established in 1993 as a structure to strengthen links between theory and practice within communication studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

“The relationship with Sahara is an ideal mechanism to expose students to the opportunities such as internship programs, mentorships and training initiatives. As we serve to assist Sahara in its brand awareness campaign in education, we also fulfil our mandate to transfer the benefits of exposure to the employment sector,” says Mdhluli.

“We are going to ensure that we include other student structures in the initiative in order to benefit many university students. This is a strategic long term relationship and we will be in discussion with management at UNISA including the head of our Department, as well as corporate communications at the institution to ensure that all stakeholders are involved and can add their input,” adds Mdhluli.

The partnership is an ongoing initiative and both parties believe there is scope for a long term relationship going forward.

The Sahara Technology show at WITS University today Outside Matrix Building, East Campus

Come and join the fun. Get an autograph by a sporting icon or Miss South Africa, Bring your PC /Laptop for a FREE Check up or get the latest deals on latest mobile & desktop technology.

Sahara chalks IT all up to experience at Unisa

Sahara Computers, a national supplier of information, communication and digital lifestyle product, has added impetus to its ongoing Get IT campaign, with a recent visit to one of the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) satellite campuses based in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

The ICT company wasted no time in setting up a two-day product and information demonstration which offered students and visitors an opportunity to view the latest available mobile and technology lifestyle solutions.

Sahara’s Technical support partner Nerds on Site was on hand to offer visitors free technical information, advise and assistance with their products and devises

“The on-site support and service team work through our established Sahara Service Camps, another very successful and key element of the Get IT campaign. The Service Camps have done exceptionally well at the tertiary institutions that we have visited to date and it is clear there is a demand for this level of interaction between the market and learners with regard to technology and how it can be best utilized on a practical, day-to-day basis,” says Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara.

Sahara Computers is an established provider of technology infrastructure to the global marketplace and has identified education as on of its core areas of interest.

The company is working with the Communications Students Association (COMSA) with regard to the possibility of further joint initiatives to bring technology into learners and drive the awareness of benefits and investment in IT infrastructure.

Valencia Nxele, who is in the process of finalizing her second year modules for Communication Science course at Unisa, believes that technology is a very good thing for students and the initiative taken by Sahara is worthwhile and of significant value.

Bheki Mdhluli, also Communications Science student, agrees: “This is a very good idea. It is valuable for the business and commercial sector to engage with us directly, not just for the sake of technology alone, but also for our career development and opportunities in the workplace.”

Naidoo adds that this initiative is an important step towards building lasting partnerships in the industry and with educators / learners in order to provide greater access to technology and also improve the understanding of what technology can do for individuals and the installation of basic education in general.

The education-focused facet of the Sahara Get IT campaign continues and will be covering a number of institutions in the Gauteng region.

Sahara Service Camp personnel and members of the Nerds On Site team assist Unisa students with their technology. The two-day initiative at the institution has been described as a great success by all involved.

Communications Sciences students Bheki Mdhluli and Valencia Nxele, visit the Sahara Computers stand to engage with the company over technology.

Company Announcement: Sahara, Wavestone Computers in distribution partnership agreement

Sahara, Wavestone Computers in distribution partnership agreement

Sahara has confirmed its appointment of Wavestone Computers as a distributor of the full range of Sahara PC infrastructure, including desktops and mobile & wireless solutions.

Wavestone Computers is a Pretoria-based supplier of ICT infrastructure sourced from a number of recognised vendors.

These globally acclaimed brands include Foxconn, Jaspa, Lexmark, Maxtor, Microsoft and Samsung. The company already enjoys a relationship with Sahara based on ongoing support for the Sahara mobile solution offering.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, says the partnership is a very positive step in the company’s effort to extend is reach, particularly from a regional perspective.

“We have a very well established presence in Gauteng, and have decided to emphasise our services and offering, and add value to the channel by reinforcing support for retailers and partners in the northern regions of South Africa,” says Naidoo.

“Wavestone Computers is an experienced, established provider of PC infrastructure services and support. It enjoys a wide regional reach and we believe has the experience, knowledge and resources to assist us in growing our market share. It is also understood that the long-term agreement will benefit both parties in penetrating the market space,” he continues.

Gary Gradwell, General Manager at Wavestone Computers, is pleased to have entered into an agreement with Sahara and believes it will certainly reinforce his company’s existing service to its dealer base.

“In the last few years we have not been able to leverage off a desktop solution in terms of a branded PC. We have been in the business of white box distribution and obviously would like to transfer the benefits of warranty and technical support. The objective is to match the volume of distributed machines with the required level of technical support. This is where we expect the branded PC to make a significant difference to our reseller and dealer base,” says Gradwell.

“The choice to partner with Sahara is based on the company’s credentials as an established vendor with a proven track record in technical support and value to the channel, as well as the strength of its mobile solution offering. It was important for us to associate and partner with a local company, one that has the capacity and resources to fulfill the criteria. We believe Sahara is exactly the partner we have been looking for,” he adds.

Visit our website for more information www.sahara.co.za or www.wavestone.co.za

Sahara launches fetch, repair program

Sahara Computers has launched its recently improved Fetch and Repair warranty program.
The program represents a change to the conventional customer relationship management process that involves a customer having to return a faulty product, as an example, to the point of purchase, which is then sent directly to Sahara.

The new program is set to enable the customer to engage with the Sahara call centre to notify the company of the situation. A courier is then dispatched to collect the product and return it to Sahara after which a warranty fulfillment process is completed and the repaired/ replaced product returned to the customer.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, says that the warranty service option offers numerous benefits and will be of value to both dealers and end customers alike.
“We have refined our warranty process and incorporated a strategically developed fetch and repair program. For the end customer it means that the product is picked up eliminating the need to incur transport costs, there is no third party and therefore a faster turnaround, and the product is being repaired at the company where there is a high level of expertise and resources available,” says Naidoo.

The repair warranty program emphasises the company’s ongoing focus on sales and service to leverage off opportunities within growing market segments. These include government, corporate, mobile and wireless, education and digital lifestyle.

“Essentially we have developed a system that pays dividends to everyone involved. It is designed to alleviate bottlenecks, to make processes and procedures associated with product delivery and supply expedient and hassle-free, and to add value to the end consumer via the channel.”

“Our role is to ensure that customers emerge satisfied and empowered from their experience with Sahara,” he says.

Sahara Launches Enhanced Fetch And Repair Program

Sahara has launched a recently improved Fetch & Repair warranty program – the latest in a list of sales and service-focused initiatives that fall under the company’s extensive Get IT campaign.

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 13, 2009 – The Sahara Fetch & Repair warranty program represents a change to the conventional customer relationship management process that involves a customer having to return a faulty product, as an example, to the point of purchase, which is then sent directly to Sahara.

The new program enables the customer to engage with the Sahara call centre to notify the company of the situation. A courier is then dispatched to collect the product and return it to Sahara after which a warranty fulfillment process is completed and the repaired/ replaced product returned to the customer. Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, says that the warranty service option offers numerous benefits and will be of value to both dealers and end customers alike. “We have refined our warranty process and incorporated a strategically developed fetch and repair program. For the end customer it means that the product is picked up eliminating the need to incur transport costs, there is no third party and therefore a faster turnaround, and the product is being repaired at the company where there is a high level of expertise and resources available,” says Naidoo.

The advantage of the program for dealerships lies in the fact that no additional resources are required for the warranty, there is peace-of-mind that the customer is being looked after professionally and expediently by the vendor, and there can be a focus on sales to boost business adds Naidoo. “Essentially we have developed a system that pays dividends to everyone involved.

It is designed to alleviate bottlenecks, to make processes and procedures associated with product delivery and supply expedient and hassle-free, and to add value to the end consumer via the channel. Our role is to ensure that customers emerge satisfied and empowered from their experience with Sahara,” he continues. The Sahara Fetch & Repair warranty program emphasises the company’s ongoing focus on sales and service to leverage off opportunities within growing market segments.

These include government, corporate, mobile & wireless, education and digital lifestyle. This focus on sales and service is spearheaded through the recent launch of the Sahara Get IT campaign, underpinned by a number of special projects and initiatives aimed at creating awareness and generating business via the formal ICT distribution and supply channel. “We are immensely proud of the campaign which will see the roll out of technology awareness and sales-focused initiatives to several key markets areas.

This is a long term project that will result in value to resellers, vendors and the end user as the sector positions itself to meet challenges amid financial pressure on global economies,” Naidoo concludes. For more information click through to www.sahara.co.za or call (011) 542-1000

Sahara gets top marks for campus demo

Sahara Computers, global suppliers of information, communication and digital lifestyle infrastructure, unveiled the latest in available mobile and desktop technology to end users at the University of Johannesburg recently.

The event formed part of the first phase of the company’s comprehensive Get IT campaign trail which covers a series of product demonstrations, ongoing awareness of value-added services such as Service Camps, Fetch & Repair Warranty and Talk to Sahara Call Centre support, as well as interaction with end users within the education and retail sector.

The Sahara stand at the University featured an array of mobile and desktop solutions, along with information about services – such as Sahara Service Camps (where products can be brought to the company’s technical partners, Nerds on Site for free on-site advice and support) – that are designed to add value to the consumer.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, was pleased at the overall response by students and personnel at the institution to the two-day event and believed it reinforced the idea, within the formal ICT supply Channel, that the consumer is far more tech-savvy than has been the case in the past.

“The University of Johannesburg was our first port of call in the campaign itinerary. We believe it was very successful in not only exposing our brand and the association we have with globally established vendor partners, but also in affording end users the opportunity to engage directly with those who are in the business of technology manufacture, distribution and support.
We want the future generation of technology users to have all the necessary information at their disposal in order to make wise investments, those that really benefit them and offer a solid return on the purchase,” says Naidoo.

Brian Mphilo and Terrence Lutere, both first year Civil Engineering students, visited the Sahara stand and were impressed with what they saw.

“This is great, really. Technology is very much a part of our lives and it is good to be able to speak to companies like Sahara directly about innovation and what it means to us,” said Mphilo.
“We are in the market for new solutions that will add value to what we do and help us with our work, so it is great that companies take the trouble to interact with us,” added Lutere.
Sahara, in association with its reseller Channel partners, will be visiting other institutions in the Gauteng region and will make details available upon confirmation.

For more information, click through to http://www.sahara.co.za/ or call (011)542-1000.

Sahara Tech Caravans to spread the word for end users

Sahara Computers is on the move. The company has launched a long-term technology promotion and awareness campaign, spearheaded by technology-focused mobile displays and service stations, aimed at empowering the end user. The initiative, called ‘Get IT’, exposes both the first time purchaser and seasoned user of technology to an array of new service features and benefits.

The Get IT campaign is a collaborative effort by Sahara in conjunction with its reseller and vendor partners to educate, inform and demonstrate the advantages of the latest in affordable, quality technology.

It is a phased project and strategic go-to-market initiative that will begin with a series of product and technology displays located at tertiary education institutions and retail outlets throughout Gauteng.

The purpose of the mobile product/solution awareness campaign is twofold: firstly to promote access to the latest technology at affordable prices and secondly to offer credible information that will help end-users make informed decisions about their investment.

The Get IT campaign umbrellas a number of value-added services that enhance the convenience and ease of use associated with strategic technology investment.

These services are designed to reinforce and streamline the company’s existing customer interaction, post-sales service and support structure. They include the Talk to Sahara Program, a Fetch & Repair Warranty Initiative, free Internet as well as complimentary bundled product – such as printers and educational software - that will present the user with the benefits of a complete solution.

In addition Sahara has organised a team of engineers who will visit different institutions during the Sahara Caravan initiative in order to roll out Sahara Service Camps for addressing all PC related issues. These support engineers provide on-the-spot solutions to these issues by addressing student queries. The Service Camps will also ensure that user PC infrastructure is up to date with the latest software patches.

“With our Talk to Sahara service, consumers of technology, initially within the education and retail space, have an opportunity to engage directly with the Sahara call centre to inquire critical aspects of solutions and related technology platforms and processes. We believe that this initiative will go a long way to not only further establish the Sahara brand, but also empower people with genuine information about the latest technology to help them select the right product or solution for the right reasons,” says Gary Naidoo, deputy MD, Sahara Computers.

“A range of products will be showcased around various themes including education, gaming and mobility. As a channel-focused company Sahara has brought in resellers to assist in marketing a number of special offers on selected products,” he continues.

Among the solutions and technology on display is Sahara notebooks based on Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology aimed at the mobile computing market, and Sahara desktops for multimedia applications and education.

Sahara’s Get IT campaign is an ongoing initiative and plans are underway to roll the project out for the benefit of users within other key market segments including government and corporate.

For more information, click through to http://www.sahara.co.za/ or call (011) 542-1000

Sahara gets top marks for campus demo

Sahara Computers, global suppliers of information, communication and digital lifestyle infrastructure, unveiled the latest in available mobile and desktop technology to end users at the University of Johannesburg recently.

The event formed part of the first phase of the company’s comprehensive Get IT campaign trail which covers a series of product demonstrations, ongoing awareness of value-added services such as Service Camps, Fetch & Repair Warranty and Talk to Sahara Call Centre support, as well as interaction with end users within the education and retail sector.

The Sahara stand at the University featured an array of mobile and desktop solutions, along with information about services – such as Sahara Service Camps (where products can be brought to the company’s technical partners, Nerds on Site for free on-site advice and support) – that are designed to add value to the consumer.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara, was pleased at the overall response by students and personnel at the institution to the two-day event and believed it reinforced the idea, within the formal ICT supply Channel, that the consumer is far more tech-savvy than has been the case in the past.

“The University of Johannesburg was our first port of call in the campaign itinerary. We believe it was very successful in not only exposing our brand and the association we have with globally established vendor partners, but also in affording end users the opportunity to engage directly with those who are in the business of technology manufacture, distribution and support. We want the future generation of technology users to have all the necessary information at their disposal in order to make wise investments, those that really benefit them and offer a solid return on the purchase,” says Naidoo.

Brian Mphilo and Terrence Lutere, both first year Civil Engineering students, visited the Sahara stand and were impressed with what they saw.

“This is great, really. Technology is very much a part of our lives and it is good to be able to speak to companies like Sahara directly about innovation and what it means to us,” said Mphilo.

“We are in the market for new solutions that will add value to what we do and help us with our work, so it is great that companies take the trouble to interact with us,” added Lutere.

Sahara, in association with its reseller Channel partners, will be visiting other institutions in the Gauteng region and will make details available upon confirmation.
For more information, click through to www.sahara.co.za or call (011)542-1000.

Technology Show kicks off today at University of Johannesburg

Be sure to join Sahara today at the University of Johannesburg we will be in front of the SRC office. From 9 until 4 See you there.

Sahara bolsters the Channel with Get IT campaign

Sahara bolsters the Channel with Get IT campaign
Sahara Computers has launched Get IT, a multi-feature promotion campaign designed to boost trade within the ICT Channel, help resellers engage with fresh market segments and add value to customers.

The Get IT program offers up a number of firsts and several incentives including the Talk to Sahara Call Centre Support initiative, the Fetch & Repair Warranty Program and Reseller Sales Incentive Program called the ‘Get IT Relaxed’ scheme. This comprehensive business-building plan is designed to help drive awareness of the Sahara brand, increase sales volumes and also encourage higher levels of general appreciation for technology in the market. “This is a comprehensive, business-development focused project that has a number of short-term and long-term benefits aimed at strengthening the Channel. Sahara has taken a proactive approach to helping to drive business forward for our customers and partners,” explains Gary Naidoo, deputy MD at Sahara.

One of the first steps in the phased Get IT campaign is the strategic placement and influence of Sahara regional representatives. These brand champions will work closely with resellers in specific regions and areas that are outside of major city or metropolitan areas. “Our regional brand champions are fully trained and equipped to offer on-the-spot advice, information about product and the latest technology. They have experience in engaging with current and emerging markets and will certainly add value to the business process and technology procurement for our Channel partners in these areas,” adds Naidoo. Naidoo has confirmed that the Get IT campaign also features a Fetch & Repair Program that will reinforce the current service and repair structure with the introduction of a call centre service. “In the past the customer would have to negotiate and engage with each party in the Channel in order to sort out an issue or acquire any level of post-service and support. With our Fetch & Repair program we have effectively added a new dimension in the form of the call centre and service delivery component.

This means the reseller can focus on its business and the customer has the peace of mind of knowing that their situation is being effectively addressed,” Naidoo continues. In line with its focus on building business within the Channel and reinforcing existing levels of service and support, Sahara has also introduced a reseller incentive program called ‘Get IT Relaxed’. According to the terms and conditions of the two-month programme resellers that make specific pre-defined targets by securing points on product sold automatically qualify for prizes. These prizes include trips to Mauritius and Victoria Falls. Product inclusive and covered by the programme range from Sahara’s new notebook based on Intel’s latest Montevina Platform, desktop solutions as well as digital lifestyle solutions such as widescreen LCD monitors. “This is a points-based program that rewards resellers for business generated on Sahara product. Each product has a specific point allocation and sales equates to points. These are calculated over a specific time frame and the reseller will be in line to receive the reward,” Naidoo explains. The Get IT campaign is a platform through which Sahara will engage directly with the market.

Naidoo confirms that resellers represent a very key element of this large-scale project and the overall objective is to add value to the end user by strengthening existing service-orientated processes and procedures within the Channel. “Our role as distributor and Channel-focused supplier is to assist our reseller base to grow business. Get IT is a sizeable, very exciting effort that will allow resellers and channel partners to interact with their existing markets and also gain a foothold into new and emerging segments of the broader market. It is a valuable opportunity to discuss trends, innovation, impact of technology and advances in computing and mobility, all of which continue to shape the local information, communication and digital lifestyle sector,” Naidoo concludes. For more information, click through to www.sahara.co.za or call (011)542-1000.

Sahara Live At University