Introducing South Africa's first complete tablet mobile computing solution

Going crazy for a tablet computer? Xepa has launched the country's first complete tablet mobile solution, which is centred on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and also includes a full complement of cloud services and applications, connectivity and training.

Targeted at mobile professionals, the solution - dubbed Stargate - provides all that is required for immediate mobile computing productivity, with an affordable monthly rental financial plan.

“Tablets are really hot right now, and that's because they deliver serious advantages in terms of convenience and portability over even notebook computers,” says Darren McKinley, sales executive at Xepa. “Having adopted tablets within our own organisation with great success, we looked at how we could help more travelling professionals get productive with a complete package at a low cost.”

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which has received positive reviews universally, was selected as the device around which to build the solution. The Android-based device interfaces seamlessly with Google's cloud-based messaging and collaboration applications. Google Apps for Business includes Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Talk, Google Sites, Google Plus, as well as 10-year e-mail archiving with unlimited storage. “As a Google Enterprise Partner, we looked for the best Android tablet on the market; after testing 12, the Galaxy emerged as a clear leader,” McKinley notes.

On top of the applications, he says 3G connectivity is included in the financial plan, with 2GB of data per month. “While roaming, the device will rely on the mobile network; however, when returned to the office, the WiFi connection will take over,” McKinley says.

He says even a Google Apps eLearning training module is included to help every user of the Stargate solution to get maximum benefit from the convenience and power offered by what he describes as “the complete mobile solution.

“Having used a tablet myself for sales calls and meetings, there is just no going back to a bulky notebook,” McKinley opines.

He points out that the monthly payment allows small to medium businesses to get their mobile workforce up to speed without any capital expenditure. “However, there is an option to buy outright upfront if that is preferred.”

With its understanding of the market, Xepa hasn't limited the deal to Samsung tablets either. It has a secondary option available, which is based around Apple's wildly popular iPad 2 device. “And for those companies which prefer using Microsoft Exchange or other e-mail systems and related applications, a stripped down Stargate Lite version is available, which includes the hardware and connectivity only,” McKinley says.

“We've looked at the market and sought to provide some flexibility in the solution on offer - after all, there is an enormous amount of diversity in the technology that people use and how they use it; however, what is certain is that there is great interest in and demand for tablet computing,” he says.

Garth Francis, Xepa managing director, concludes: “Our intention is to create more value to our customers by offering business solutions, rather than merely selling a product or a technology.

* Google Apps for Business (25GB mailbox, Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Talk) inclusive of Google Apps eLearning online training, licensed for three consecutive years
* Ten-year e-mail archiving with unlimited storage
* 2GB of 3G connectivity per month valid for three years
* Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
* Payment period of 36 months; hardware refresh option at 26 months
* Financial plan subject to credit approval