It appears there was method in Gijima’s madness after all. The JSE-listed IT company that earlier this year said it would buy all its employees Apple iPads has signed the first systems integrator agreement in Southern Africa with Apple.

Gijima will assist with the support for Apple hardware and software solutions that work with company-managed systems, it said on Monday.

“Industry observers have noted that IT departments are not only faced with the challenge of integrating company-owned technology, but also personal devices that employees want to bring to work,” Gijima said. “Employees recognise that devices, such as the iPad, are excellent productivity tools and are demanding that their personal technology integrates with their organisations’ back-end systems.”

The use of Apple technology has increased substantially in the enterprise space and there is demand for more systems support, according to RJ van Spaandonk, executive director of Core Group, which represents Apple in SA.

As an authorised reseller and systems integrator, Gijima will sell and support iPad, MacBook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, Lion and Lion Server for business customers.

“In June this year … we integrated 3 300 iPads into our own organisation, so we have first-hand experience with the requirements and systems needed to support companies with their Apple technology needs,” said Gijima chief financial officer Carlos Ferreira. — Staff reporter, TechCentral