THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ALTECH AUTOPAGE
biz
15 November – 15 January 2013
Technology and business news
FEATURE
mHealth technology Benefiting patients and improving healthcare
INNOVATION
PAID OPERATING SYSTEMS Could this be the end?
WELCOME | issue two of BIZ mag
WELCOME EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to the second issue of BIZ. Our aim with this monthly publication is to keep you abreast of all the exciting developments in the technology world. We cast some light on the mHealth revolution and take a look at how digital devices are empowering the patient and changing the face of healthcare. With technology giant Apple offering free software updates, we investigate the future of paid operating systems. In addition, we take a look at how cloud computing can streamline your business’ infrastructure. I hope you find inspiration in this issue and enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.
Senior Manager – Brand and Communications CHARNEL HATTINGH Business Marketing Manager SUMAYA ABDOOL Executive Creative Director ANDREW BURKE Editor MICHELLE MARAIS Production Director MARIANNE BURKE Deputy Art Director DAVE STRAUSS Designer TESSA GREEN
Charnel Hattingh SENIOR MANAGER – BRAND AND COMMUNICATIONS
NAVIGATING OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE: We’re very excited to present you with this month’s issue of BIZ. The digital magazine has been designed to allow a truly interactive experience.
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Page-turning
Icons and links
BIZ has been optimised for both tablet and mobile, making it perfect for reading on the go. If you’re a tablet or smartphone user, turn the page by clicking on the arrows indicated on the far left and right of every page. Using your iPhone or iPad? Turn the page by flicking across your screen.
You’ll find various icons throughout the magazine. By clicking on them you’ll be directed straight to their respective websites. Some icons will allow you to view the product in more detail, while others will link you to a website providing more information about a specific service.
www.purepublishing.co.za BIZ is published monthly by PURE Publishing & Design cc for ALTECH AUTOPAGE. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. For editorial enquiries, please email: hello@purepublishing.co.za
inside the magazine | CONTENTS
November 04
COVER STORY mHealth, a new delivery model focused on care that is patient-centered, is changing the face of healthcare.
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INNOVATION With technology giants such as Apple offering free software updates, the question arises: is this the end for paid operating systems?
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PRODUCTS Find your perfect companion with our latest range of handsets and office technologies.
08 22
SERVICES Streamline your business’ infrastructure with cloud computing.
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INTERNAL In full swing: Altech Autopage’s corporate golf day.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Amanda Stone
Susan Smit
Gadget girl and regular tech contributor Amanda is a self-
A lifelong obsession with gadgets means that when Susan’s not
Originally from Northern California, Jessica’s been a
professed social media junkie and has
labouring as researcher, she enjoys reading
freelance writer and editor working in
been freelancing since 2011. Favourite OS:
and writing about tech. Favourite OS: iOS 7.0
publishing for nearly 10 years. Favourite OS:
Android OS
Jessica Gliddon
IOS 7.0
COVER STORY | mhealth technologies
PAGING DR IPHONE mHealth technologies are changing the face of healthcare WORDS MICHELLE MARAIS
It used to be that a patient visiting the doctor’s office might come away with a drug prescription, care instructions for how and when to take their meds, and a pamphlet explaining their condition or disease. Today, however, due to the growing presence of smartphones, tablets and other
portable devices, patients are just as likely to walk out of their doctor’s office with instructions to download a medical mobile application to their phone. The mobile health (mHealth) industry is responsible for this shift, and it is contributing to a new delivery model focused on
care that is patient-centered and value-based. When a patient downloads a medical application, for example, and uses that app to better manage a disease, it can lead to better health. This means fewer office visits, reduced care costs and a lower burden on the healthcare system.
Following are three more examples of how mHealth applications and devices are benefiting patients and improving care.
01 / They engage patients and motivate them to be more active participants in their care. Mobile health apps are an important and rapidly growing component of mHealth. In fact, there are currently more than 13 000 healthcare-related apps in the iTunes store – and many more on application platforms such as Amazon and Google Play. Most patients download apps of their own accord to monitor eating habits, count calories, and track fitness and training goals, but it doesn’t make the tools any lesser than ones recommended by physicians. e, which is getting patients to care about their health. They still accomplish a purpose, als One app for tracking fitness goals cise is and motivating patients to exercise sers to track Endomondo. The app allows users ories burned things such as time, speed, calories ctivities – and heart rate for a variety of activities and best of all, users can share the data te against on Facebook and even compete ct is a driving friends. The social media aspect ts such as force behind the use of products ers to keep Endomondo, as it motivates users on working out so that they can show off their accomplishments.
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02 / They contribute to patient understanding of their health. After a visit to the doctor, patients often come away with handouts and other paperwork explaining their condition and how they should proceed. These leaflets can be easily misplaced, leaving patients in the dark. If the patient has access to a mobile device, however, a physician can just as easily point them in the direction of a reference app or a mobile-friendly version of their organisation’s patient portal. Our Journey is a hospital application used by the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and is a great example of a tool that helps parents keep track of what can be an overwhelming amount of information. The app guides parents through the care process their child will go through while at the hospital and even suggests
questions they should ask their child’s doctor. It also has a resource tab with educational content and helpful links. These are just a few examples of the mHealth resources that are available to patients. There are tens of thousands of mobile applications available, and the list is sure to keep on growing – and the tools improving – as the mHealth industry continues to evolve.
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COVER STORY | mhealth technologies
03 / They facilitate the tracking and management of chronic illnesses. Patients with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes are one of the groups that stand to benefit most from mHealth technologies. By using disease management apps, patients can monitor vitals and symptoms, for example, to ensure that worsening conditions are caught early on. Apps geared towards children, on the other hand, can make disease management informative and fun. The iBGStar iPhone glucose meter is one example of a mobile health device and application designed to help
patients monitor a chronic illness or disease. Plus, it’s the first device of its kind to be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. By using iBGStar, patients can monitor glucose, insulin and carbs anytime, no matter where they are. The app charts individualised glucose patterns over time and allows easy sharing of data so that patients and providers can make informed decisions together.
IS MOBILE HEALTHCARE THE FUTURE?
97 000+
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MOBILE APPS RELATED TO HEALTH & FITNESS
50
THE RISING POPULARITY OF MHEALTH APPS (IN MILLIONS) 06
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MOBILE HEALTH APPS generate up to 4 million free & 300k paid downloads per day
BY 2017 OTHER
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
PREGNANCY
SLEEP & MEDITATION
WOMEN’S HEALTH
EXERCISE
WEIGHT LOSS
30
10
of smartphone users gather health-related information on their phones
TOP 10
40
20
mHealth or mobile health is a term used for practise of medicine and public health, supported by mobile devices.
BY 2017
50 $26
PERCENT
BILLION
of smartphone users will have downloaded mobile health apps.
the total mobile health market revenue
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INNOVATION | is this the end for paid operating systems?
IS THIS THE END FOR PAID OPERATING SYSTEMS? The era of spending hundreds of rands to update your computer software is over. WORDS SUSAN SMIT
At least that is what tech giant Apple bargained on when it recently announced that the latest version of its operating system (OS) X 10.9 would be free to all Mac users running OS X 10.6 (known as Snow Leopard) or later. Apple’s newest operating system is aptly named “Mavericks” and analysts regard the giveaway as a direct challenge to the paid-for software model which made Microsoft one of the biggest tech giants of the last 40 years.
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The OS is named after a famed surfing spot near the company’s campus in Cupertino, California. The way we used computers and technology has changed drastically with the advent of mobile devices. Research firm Gartner predicts that PC shipments will decline by 8.4% in 2013, while tablet shipments will increase by 53.4% and mobile shipments by 3.7%. The gap between PCs and tablets will reduce significantly in 2014 and if this trend continues Gartner predicts tablet shipments may surpass PC shipments as soon as 2015.
is this the end for paid operating systems? | INNOVATION
Mobile devices have made users accustomed to free software upgrades. This model also favours phone manufacturers who want to keep users within their software ecosystems in an increasingly competitive mobile market. The free software model has many advantages for Apple. Its app store currently hosts the largest number of apps – more than one million – and the company would like to keep it that way. “Developers like writing for what’s new and hot,” Mark Rogowsky said on Forbes. “On Macs, that gives them an audience proportionally much larger than what Windows offers.”
Initial reports look good. Ad tracking firm Chitika reported that OS X Mavericks was generating 11.8% of North American OS X web traffic only five days after its release. Apple’s previous OS X (Mountain Lion) took more than a month to cross over the 10% mark.
fired back in a blog posting by the company’s corporate vice president of communications, Frank Shaw: “When I see Apple drop the price of its struggling, lightweight productivity apps, I don’t see a shot across our bow, I see an attempt to play catch up.
According to Net Applications it took Windows 8 – Microsoft’s latest paid OS – a year to reach a 10.2% share of all computers running Windows. The majority of computers running Windows still had Windows 7 installed.
iWork is not anywhere near the industry standard of Office, but people may think twice about purchasing Office 365 (a cloudbased subscription service) or the Office applications if they can get iWork for free.
One of Microsoft’s biggest cash cows, MS Office, has also come under attack from Apple.
For all Microsoft’s confidence in the superiority of Office, the company showed some sensitivity to Apple’s latest moves. Following the iWork announcement, Microsoft made some significant updates to the company’s web-based Office applications.
In addition to the free OS upgrade for Mac users, any new owner of a Mac or an iOS device will receive Apple’s iWork and iLife applications for free. iLife is a tool for organising photos, movies and music and iWork is Apple’s suite of productivity apps. Microsoft took notice of this development and
Although Mac updates and applications like iWork are now labelled “free”, Apple consumers still pay a premium price for its hardware products. Apple’s business model
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
As a result the number of app sales and in-app purchases will also be higher. Apple’s new strategy is “nothing short of a declaration of war against Microsoft,” Rogowsky said. The company hopes that Mavericks will enjoy the same kind of take-up that its most recent iOS upgrade did. Five days after the release of iOS7, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that more than 200 million devices were running the iOS – 64% of all Apple devices.
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INNOVATION | is this the end for paid operating systems?
has always been to use software and its superior app store to sell hardware units.
2001
In Steve Jobs introduced us to the iPod, two years later the iTunes Store followed which sold songs for 99 US cents each. Apple wasn’t profiting much from the sale of music, but the affordable and accessible music store made everyone want an iPod, even if they were more expensive than many competing devices. The new iPad Air (the 5th generation iPad) went on sale in the US for a steep US$499, Apple has been uncharacteristically mum on early sales figures, but adoption rates are looking very positive according to mobile marketing company Fisku. Windows is still by far the biggest player in the PC market, but in a recent press release announcing the retirement of its CEO Steve Balmer, the company acknowledged that its focus is now “the effective transformation
of Microsoft to a successful devices and services company”. Although its range of Windows 8 Surface tablets has had a slow start, its acquisition of struggling Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia shows it is serious about pursuing the model that has proved so successful for Apple. Microsoft’s search engine and developer platform Bing is also designed as a competitor to Google, which subsidises its OS with advertisements. Apple’s latest innovations might not immediately upend the market, but there is no doubt that users are becoming used to the free model and in future it probably won’t be a profitable model to make them pay for software only.
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is this the end for paid operating systems? | INNOVATION
“Apple’s latest innovations might not immediately upend the market, but there is no doubt that users are becoming used to the free model and in future it probably won’t be a profitable model to make them pay for software only. “
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PRODUCTS | top product picks
this issue’s top
PRODUCTS STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS
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tablet feature
APPLE IPAD AIR The iPad Air is thinner, slimmer, lighter and faster than its predecessor. While the Air’s hardware is largely improved over the previous generation, the tablet’s battery life and processing power remain more than adequate. The iOS ecosystem also provides plenty of software choice — Apple currently claims 475 000 iPad apps on its App Store. The iPad Air might not be a game changer but it has nearly perfected Apple’s winning iPad formula.
OS iOS 7.0.3 Processor Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) Memory/Storage 16/32/64/128 GB [internal], 1 GB RAM DDR3 Screen 1536 x 2048 pixels, LED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed DC-HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps, LTE, 100 Mbps; EV-DO Rev. A, up to 3.1 Mbps
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PRODUCTS | top product picks
mobiledevices OS Microsoft Windows RT Processor Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400
NOKIA LUMIA 2520 Nokia’s finally done what we have been waiting for: brought out a tablet to rival Apple’s iPad. Despite the Finnish brand recently having been acquired by Microsoft, the Lumia 2520 sees the firm directly competing with the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet. This device is ideal for business customers, as it features Microsoft Office, Outlook and an optional Power Cover keyboard. The tablet will be available in South Africa in early 2014.
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Memory/Storage microSD, 32 GB; 32 GB [internal], 2 GB RAM Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, touchscree 16M LTE, Cat4, colours Data Speed HSDPA, 42.2 Mbps, HSUPA, 11.5 Mbps; LT 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL
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PRODUCTS
OS iOS 7 Processor Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) Memory/Storage 16/32/64 GB storage, 1 GB RAM DDR3 Screen 640 x 1136 pixels, LED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed DC-HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps, LTE, 100 Mbps; EV-DO Rev. A, up to 3.1 Mbps
IPHONE 5S The iPhone 5S is a phone that takes everything Apple has learnt in this space over the last six and a half years and put it together in an incredibly cohesive manner. Below the surface Apple has put together one of the most cutting-edge smartphones around, imbued with a top-end camera and a really innovative feature with Touch ID. There’s only so much that smartphone manufacturers can do to differentiate these days, and while Apple can’t expect consumers to be wowed by the same shell, it can expect to get some interest in the sharp camera and gives a sense of relief with the new A7 chip. If you’re a fan of Apple’s sleek design and fast processors, the iPhone 5S won’t disappoint.
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PRODUCTS | top product picks
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PRODUCTS
SONY XPERIA Z1 With a sleek rectangular body slathered in glass, the same distinctive aluminium power button and silver port flaps, the Sony Xperia Z1 closely resembles the Xperia Z. However, the smartphone is more water-resistant than its predecessor, boasting IP55 and IP58 levels of protection. The Sony Xperia Z1 sports a 5-inch 1080 p display and benefits from the same improved screen technology – Triluminous display and X-Reality – that can be found in the Xperia Z Ultra. The Xperia Z1 boasts a 20.7 MP Exmor S sensor with a F2.0 G lens and LED flash, 2 GB of RAM and a 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Looking at the specification, it might just be one of the most powerful phones in the world.
OS Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 Memory/ Storage microSD, up to 64 GB; 16 GB [internal], 2 GB RAM Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.8 Mbps; LTE, Cat4, 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL
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WITH 41 MEGAPIXELS
NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE
CAPTURED WITH NOKIA LUMIA 1020 TM & © 2013 Nokia. All rights reserved. © 2013 Microsoft corporation. All rights reserved.
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PRODUCTS | top product picks
OS Microsoft Windows Phone 8 Black Processor Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 Memory/Storage
NOKIA LUMIA 1520
microSD, up to 64 GB; 32 GB, [internal], 2 GB RAM Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed HSDPA, 42.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps; LTE, Cat4, 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL
The Nokia Lumia 1520 is a powerhouse of productivity. With its six-inch, supersensitive, full HD display and great readability in sunlight, the phablet is the perfect canvas on which to tell your story. Built-in Microsoft Office means you can view and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the go, without losing any original formatting. The addition of respected business applications like Microsoft Exchange, Office 365 and Lync, as well as enterprise-level security to give you peace of mind makes the Lumia 1520 a formidable business smartphone.
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BLACKBERRY Z30 With the largest screen of any BlackBerry phone so far, the Z30 is a polished business handset aimed at the multitasking executive. It has a premium build with metallic accents, plus the fantastic BlackBerry keyboard and contains lots of neat tweaks aimed at making business-first folk as productive as possible. Making its debut on BlackBerry’s first ever phablet, is the BB10.2 operating system. It brings a run of features and it’s all slicker and faster than the Z10 was at the launch of the BB10 OS. Apple’s iPhone 5S is the Z30’s obvious rival in terms of flagship status, but if you’re a fan of the Canadian brand you can’t go wrong with this phablet.
OS BlackBerry 10.2 OS Processor Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait Memory/Storage microSD, up to 64 GB [external]; 16 GB, 2 GB RAM Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed HSDPA, HSUPA, LTE
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PRODUCTS | top product picks
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3 Not only is it big, bold and blazingly fast, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has an incredibly sharp 5.7-inch display, and battery life to keep you connected for hours on end. More importantly, the Note 3 features a sleeker design than its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 2, a streamlined S Pen interface, and a superb camera similar to that of the Galaxy S4. The third generation of the Note, however, is the most significant upgrade yet and the first Note device, thanks to a more thoughtful S Pen interface. If you’re looking for the biggest smartphone you can get with the best experience, the Note 3 should be at the top of your list.
OS Android OS, v4.3 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 (N9005)/Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 (N9000) Memory/Storage microSD [up to 64 GB]; 16/32/64 GB [internal], 3 GB RAM Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours Data Speed HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA; LTE, Cat4, 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL
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dataconnectivity
HUAWEI B593 LTE ROUTER This router will deliver phenomonal speeds dependant on the LTE network coverage available. It will also support all previous hi-speed data technologies to ensure that up to 10 devices have the best possible data experience. The Huawei B593 LTE Wi-Fi router will work on Vodaom, MTN and Cell C networks in South Africa while a different model will work on 8-ta alone.
High Level Features: LTE Cat 3; 10/50Mbps @ 20M BW DC-HSPA+/HSPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS/GSM Receive diversity, Data service, LTE DL 2”2 MIMO High Level Product Specs: Frequency LTE DD800/900/1 800/2 100/ 2600MHZ UMTS 900/ 2100MHZ GSM 850/900/1 800/ 1 900MHZ Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
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SERVICES | head in the clouds
Head in the clouds Cloud computing is the newest and most advanced way of running a business’ computing infrastructure. WORDS JESSICA GLIDDON
According to the 2013 Future of Cloud Computing Survey, a global survey of 855 enterprises by GigaOM Research and North
75%
of Bridge Venture Partners, businesses today are using some sort of cloud platform, and the market for cloud computing is expected to reach US$158.8 billion by 2014. This growth will not be limited to Europe and the United States — according to the Cisco Global Cloud Index, from 2012 to 2017, the Middle East and Africa region is expected to have the highest cloud workload growth rate at 45%. Why this growing interest? Cloud computing has been demonstrated to be one of the most convenient ways of consolidating, accessing and maintaining a company’s information and resources. A company’s IT team and hefty server hardware can almost entirely be replaced by a cloud computing vendor; software updates and applications all happen seamlessly within the cloud, the company’s employees all have access to it, and everything is easily integrated. It’s almost too good to be true. Clouds are available in several different forms: as Software as a Service (SaaS), where individual cloud services are offered for a fee from a vendor; Platform
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as a Service (PaaS), a webbased platform that allows development of applications; and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), where the infrastructure of the cloud is provided and managed by a vendor, essentially outsourcing the digital aspect of a business entirely. As part of the 2013 Future of Cloud Computing Survey,
head in the clouds | SERVICES
IaaS cloud infrastructure ture was found to be the fastest d growing area of cloud computing with 45% of g it, up businesses now using from 29% in 2012. Cloud computing offers ate in businesses the ultimate fficiency. exibility and cost effi By adopting a cloud usinesses computing system, businesses ined, but not only stay streamlined, reap the beneďŹ ts of scalable mpressive architecture and an impressive tter what infrastructure, no matter size they may be.
...75% of business businesses today are u using some sort o of cloud platfo platform...
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INTERNAL | golf day challenge
ALTECH AUTOPAGE CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE
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Altech Autopage hosted its second annual corporate golf challenge at Copperleaf Golf Estate on Friday, 1 November, following the success of the previous year’s event. Altech Autopage, one of South Africa’s leading telecommunication companies provided its clients with five-star treatment on the golf course, and the corporate golf challenge exceeded and surpassed the golfers’ expectations.
The Els Club at Copperleaf is the second signature Ernie Els-designed golf course in South Africa. This beautiful course has been designed to the highest possible specifications and USGA specifications. The course is one of the finest examples of the ‘Highveld grassland’ genre, and players experience a sense of openness and freedom with the Magaliesberg backdrop adding to the country atmosphere. To start their five-star treatment, golfers were welcomed by ushers who escorted them to the registration area, the walkway of which was laid with a welcoming red carpet. On their arrival they were offered a complimentary car wash as part of this elite golf experience. Each golfer was assigned their own locker and after receiving their locker keys, they were taken to the Nike experience area where they chose their Nike outfit for the day. Made up of shorts, shirts and a cap, each golfer chose their own unique golf outfit; which set the tone for the day at the Autopage Corporate Golf Challenge. Khaliques men’s range was showcased in the men’s locker room to enhance the golfers’ experience and each golfer received a branded toiletry bag filled with amenities from Charlotte Rhys. Porsche displayed its latest vehicles and gave each golfer a branded Porsche gift.
Golfers were treated to unique watering holes on the course. These watering holes were sponsored by MTN and Vodacom. MTN had a water bar filled with a selection of waters and Vodacom offered a selection of energy drinks. Branded golf carts ensured that golfers were able to speed up their game on the course and each four-ball had a player’s assistant to help navigate the course. Golfers were also given an electronic scoring pad which allowed them to keep track of the winning individual and teams. During the halfway house break, golfers grabbed a quick snack while ushers cleaned their clubs.
The day was a an exceptional success for Autopage and its partners, with the golfers raving about the firstclass experience they received and everyone is looking forward to the Corporate Golf Challenge in 2014.
After the game, golfers had the chance to relax and unwind at a cognac and cigar bar on the clubhouse patio overlooking the beautiful course. In line with the relaxed, but top quality ambience of the day, the clubhouse was transformed for an elegant prize giving dinner. Hosted by Dan Nicholl as MC, his quick wit and humour had the guests in stitches. Boyd Chislett, MD of Autopage handed prizes out to the individual winners as well as the top placed 1 – 7 four-balls. The individual nett winner was awarded to George Ferreira, vice president and chief operating officer of Samsung Electronics Africa who won the beautiful Crystal trophy designed by Jenna Clifford.
Image credits: Top Left: Robin Wagner (TransUnion), Eckhardt Du Toit (Garmin), Lee Ramsden (Ignition), Thinus Dippenaar (Altech Autopage) Bottom Left: Boyd Chislett (Altech Autopage MD) Bottom Right: Altech Autopage Water-hole
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