Michal Marek As Apple tries hard to show, the iPad is a device that has a really wide range of uses in the corporate sphere, in education and for individuals. However, it is not worth buying a large number of iPads outright for everyone and every institution, when they have more of a one-time use for them.
The Czech company is also aware of this Logicworks, which, among other things, offers iPad loans. We visited the company and asked Filip Nerad, who is in charge of the rental company, about information regarding this rather unique service.
Hi Philip. How did you come up with the idea of opening an iPad rental shop? When did you start it?
We started operating loans less than three years ago, when a multinational company requested the loan of several dozen iPads and an MDM (Mobile Device Management) synchronization solution. Thanks to this order, it occurred to us that such presentation events are certainly not only done by one company, so we started offering the service to everyone.
How has the service been received? What is the interest?
Surprisingly, we received positive responses and the service is being used more and more. At the beginning, we didn't really think there would be such an interest, but when you think about it, many times these are only one-time events and buying a larger number of iPads is simply not profitable. The client calls us, borrows iPads and returns them after the event. Then there is no need to worry about what to do with the purchased iPads and how to use them.
Which users are you targeting? What exactly do people borrow iPads from you for?
Our target group is not only companies, but also individuals who simply want to try the iPad (how it works, test applications, etc.). However, it can be said that the greatest interest is still in the loan of a larger number of pieces for various corporate events. This naturally includes fairs, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, courses and training, or other company activities (marketing surveys, etc.). Thanks to these loans, we were also approached by such institutions as, for example, schools and universities who wanted to equip their classrooms with iPads with pre-set profiles enabling remote management and digital distribution of textbooks and teaching materials.
Furthermore, I would certainly like to mention developers who need the given device to test the application and logically do not want to buy an iPad. In the company, however, we think that practically everyone can use a rented iPad for something - and that is the magic and the essence of our rental company. Every company needs/wants to promote its products or services, and an interactive form of promotion is increasingly in demand, for example compared to a printed form. So we are not limited by a given type of customer, but we just need to find out their needs and offer the right solution, which iPad is without a doubt.
How many iPads can you rent at once?
We are currently able to lend 20-25 iPads immediately and 50-100 units per week.
How much does your customer pay for a loan?
The price of the loan starts at 264 CZK (without VAT/per day). However, this of course changes according to the agreement based on the length of the loan and the number of loaned pieces.
What iPads do you offer? Can I request a specific model?
We try to have new models, so we currently rent iPad Air and Air 2 with Wi-Fi, as well as iPad Air 2 with 4G module. We can also arrange a request for a specific model, but it will certainly not be immediately after the client contacts us. We recently even rented a new iPad Pro for about a week and it was definitely not a problem.
How long can a person or company borrow an iPad from you?
Of course, we are happy to rent iPads even for half a year, but most often they are rented for 3-7 days, which corresponds to the duration of the training or exhibition. So this is really individual, but on average it's that week. However, when someone asks us for an iPad for half a year, we mention that in this case it is more advantageous to buy than to borrow.
What else do you offer in addition to renting an iPad?
In addition to the training itself, we are also able to provide a SIM card with a data plan, a synchronization box to manage multiple iPads at once, and we are happy to set up clients' devices according to their requirements (installation of applications, etc.). In addition to iPads, our clients also often order training for employees, i.e. for the people who will operate the device and will work with it the most. In this case, we can prepare tailor-made training, or our consultants will answer the client's pre-prepared questions. To sum it up simply, we offer a complete service for rented iPads.
Thanks for the interview.
You're welcome. If anyone is interested in renting an iPad, just write to e-mail filip.nerad@logicworks.cz, we will be happy to help. And if you don't feel like writing, feel free to call. My number is 774 404 346.
If I take a rough calculation of the rental price for half a year, I get 47 (520*264*30). In that case, it really is a better purchase.
Yes, in this case it is more worthwhile to buy, we do not deny that.
This also applies to any other thing*. It is always worthwhile to buy an item for long-term use. But if it's only for a few days, it's good that someone offers such a service. Although I personally would probably be angry when I had to return it... But... It's probably the same as when renting a limousine.
*probably they're not doing it to go bankrupt :-)
Well, I don't know - "...In the beginning, we really didn't think there would be such an interest..." - I thought that the attempt to establish ourselves in hotels, etc. was quite a failure, and it continued to be quite below expectations :)
An interesting price would be around 100,- without VAT per day, otherwise it makes no sense.
Just take a look at how much it costs to rent the conference space by the hour and what all the services are included in the price...
...schools and universities, I don't believe that any school established by the Municipality or a public university would rent iPads for such a price, schools and universities have offers for equipping classrooms with iPads at very attractive prices that no one outside the education sector can even dream of, and in private elementary schools, iPads are used as aids and parents automatically buy them for their children.