With Apple’s announcement of its new iPad mini, schools and institutional technology users are looking at small form factor devices as a mobile alternative to full-sized tablets. Datamation Systems has announced a storage and security cabinet that is purpose-built for the iPad Mini and other 7-inch tablets.

The cabinet will store and secure up to 16 devices — Minis, Kindles, Nooks, Nexus 7, Galaxy Tab and other 7-inch tablets — and will be provided in both charge and sync-charge versions. Its compact design is both space-efficient and secure, providing an economical alternative to larger cabinets and carts designed for notebooks and full-sized tablets, says Joe Mazza, Datamation vice president.

The sync-charge version of the DS-Netsafe7 will include an USB hub created by Cambrionix. The hub will sync through iTunes, Apple Configurator and other USB programs. It will also act as a universal USB charger and is “future-proof,” having user-updatable firmware.

The new DS-Netsafe7 and other products will be available from major computer companies, Amazon.com or directly from Datamation Systems. Additional information can be found at http://www.ipadcarts.com .