As essential as it may be for every small to medium enterprise, information and communications technology is nevertheless perceived by many as a beast. The hassles and niggles of choosing, buying setting up and configuring almost outweighs the benefits for busy small business owners. Directly addressing this key concern for the SME owner, D-Link is again organising the nationwide Beast roadshow, in which it and partners will share with resellers how they can master the beast to deliver quality and easy-to-use ICT solutions.
The participating vendors include D-Link, Logitech, Proline and Symantec. Each offers a range of products which forms an essential element in the matrix of solutions which comprise an effectively functioning, secure and trouble-free office.
Karien Wood, D-Link marketing manager, says the roadshow is setting out to help resellers improve their ability to meet the needs of the SME. “With our partners, we want to inform and educate solution providers on what products are available and how these can ease ICT purchase and use for the busy SME owner. In today's fast-paced world, business owners want convenience and response, not hassles and problems,” she says.
In establishing such an office, the first step is to source reliable hardware, which might include desktop PCs, notebooks and servers. Proline will showcase its product range, with a special focus on servers. In addition to its PCs and notebooks, its commitment to affordable quality puts a server solution well within the reach of most offices.
Hardware is, of course, very limited in its ability to perform unless it is networked. Networking is also one of the facets of the small office which many business owners find the most confounding. D-Link has focused its efforts on producing routers which not only provide high-speed, reliable connectivity, but a much-improved user experience. That means connecting all the office equipment easily over a wired or wireless network, as well as getting on to the Internet with a secure ADSL connection.
Meanwhile, Logitech offers premium peripherals which are designed to ensure a better experience with the digital world. In effect, Logitech provides a better way to tame the beast at the point of interface - the keyboard and the mouse - while also providing a range of accessories such as speakers and joysticks to increase the appeal of computing.
Unfortunately, connectivity to the World Wide Web also comes with exposure and risk. Nothing can be more beastly than computers which don't work as they should because they are infected with a virus. Or worse, computers that are compromised and which allow hackers to access sensitive information such as banking passwords and PINs. That's where Symantec comes in. It is the vendor of choice to provide security in the connected world; its range of software solutions protects infrastructure, information and interactions. The roadshow will afford special focus to Symantec's Endpoint Protection, Backup Exec System Recovery and Backup Exec.
“ICT need not be a bugbear for the SME; rather, it should deliver a smooth and trouble-free experience as it supports workers in the achievement of their goals. The Beast roadshow provides resellers with all they need to know to deliver this experience to their customers,” Wood concludes.
Interested parties can go to http://www.pluspoints.co.za/beast to register. Roadshow details are as follows:
East London Wednesday 28 January 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu Metro Hemingways Casino
Port Elizabeth Friday 30 January 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu-Metro Walmer Park
Nelspruit Wednesday 11 February 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu-Metro Riverside Mall
Cape Town Wednesday 18 February 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu-Metro Canal Walk
Windhoek Friday 20 February 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Protea Hotel Furstenhoff
Durban Wednesday 25 February 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at IMAX Gateway
Johannesburg Wednesday 4 March 2009, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu Metro Monte Casino
Bloemfontein Wednesday 11 March, 08:30 to 13:00 at Nu-Metro Loch Logan
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