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Sahara bundles Internet services into offering


Johannesburg, 20 Apr 2007

Sahara Computers, an established PC brand and local supplier of information and communications technology (ICT), now includes the offer of immediate Internet services and connectivity with every PC or notebook sold.

The company's entry into the Internet service provider space has been successful and the initiative, Sahara Online, continues to break new ground within the competitive online services arena.

The Internet and e-mail service is targeted at end-users and is located at www.saharaonline.co.za.

Gary Naidoo, deputy MD of Sahara, believes the inclusion of online communication facilities such as access to the Internet and e-mail in the sale of PC infrastructure, represents a natural step forward in the PC trade.

"Sahara Online was launched three years ago and continues to grow in strength and dimension. The combination of ongoing development within this particular business segment, and an ever-increasing demand from the market has helped to reinforce this offering, and it is now very much an established element of our PC manufacture and distribution business," says Naidoo.

The online initiative offers various Internet access options and features an online organiser, webdisk and virus and junkmail scanning on all e-mail, among other e-services.

Services specifically for Sahara dealers will be incorporated at a later stage.

Customers can sign up with the service using the Sahara Online Internet Connection Manager, which is packaged on a connection CD. The Internet Connection Manager includes cutting-edge automatic self-repairing diagnostics, creating a dramatically improved service level to the customer.

After installing the software, the customer will gain instant Internet connectivity with no contracts needed.

"All of this provides a greatly improved Internet experience for the customer, with fewer support calls being needed," adds Naidoo.

Customers can opt for either premium analogue 56K dial-up for R89 per month or premium digital 64K ISDN dial-up for R99 per month. All users of the dial-up services get to use 10Mb of personal Web space as a part of their e-services bundle. In addition to this, by incorporating the Web Machine product, a move aimed directly at the SMME market, customers can create and publish a graphically and feature-rich business Web site for only R139 per month.

Other features and benefits users enjoy are free, unlimited telephonic support 24 hours a day, 10MB e-mail box with five e-mail addresses, access to the DNA Customer Management System for complete control of their own accounts, as well as an online information and Web services guide.

All of the offerings, online features and e-services are available through the unique Sahara Online Customer Service Portal (www.saharaonline.co.za) - a feature-rich Web site created with the customer in mind.

Support is managed directly through Sahara Online (0861 765 765) and all calls are handled by trained technicians.

"By including Sahara modem drivers on the connection CD and bundling it with our modems, we are providing the consumer with everything they need to get instantaneous Internet connectivity at a very competitive price. An analogue or ISDN telephone line is the only pre-requisite," Naidoo continues.

"We already provide top quality PC infrastructure, and our goal with this new offering is to be the consumer's Internet service of choice, with the very best end-user Internet experience in the market."

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Sahara Computers

Established in 1997, Sahara Computers assembles and markets PCs and peripherals through a global distribution network that covers both established and emerging markets.

The company is an official distributor and original equipment manufacturer for a variety of top international vendors, including AMD, Creative, Delta, Epson, Foxconn, Intel, Lexmark, Maxtor, Microsoft, Samsung, SMC Networks and Symantec.

The core focus of Sahara's operation is the consistent and effective supply of affordable, reliable and accessible technology.

This operation is managed via the company's head office in Midrand, Gauteng - considered a central business hub. The Sahara business network stretches across South Africa to include Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

The company has successfully extended its reach to key regions and emerging global markets including Dubai, China and India. The Sahara brand is also well known across Africa, with established company presence in countries like Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia.

Sahara's vision is to become a truly global brand and premier IT supplier throughout Africa.

Sahara is also an accredited member of the Proudly South African campaign as well as the SAVANT global SA brand awareness initiative. Corporate social responsibility is a key priority for the company and it continues to contribute towards projects and programmes aimed at individual and community upliftment.

The name Sahara is widely associated with the development of sport, including soccer, cricket, rugby and motorsport. This is considered a significant area of business development by the company.

As a result of hard work, commitment and unwavering dedication to its brand, Sahara has formed several strong alliances with key role-players, stakeholders and representative bodies.

Most recently Sahara announced the signing of a groundbreaking sponsorship and technology supply agreement with Mamelodi Sundowns, a top ranking soccer club competing in South Africa's Professional Soccer League.

The sponsorship is underpinned by the provision of communications infrastructure and mobile technology - including laptops, notebooks and digital lifestyle technology - and signals Sahara's commitment to the club and South African soccer in general.

Effective marketing and generating awareness are significant elements of the company's ongoing marketing campaign.

Under the direction of Gary Naidoo, appointed as Deputy Managing Director at Sahara in December 2005, the company retains a focus on a number of growing market sectors including corporate, government, digital lifestyle and mobile and wireless.

For more information on Sahara Computers, its products and services, visit www.sahara.co.za.

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