Came across an article today, which I thought was a very good read. It’s a niche article, but for anyone who deals with flash drives, I would suggest checking it out.
From the article:
The optical drive is nearly dead – they are no longer found in laptops and rarely found in tower PCs. With that said, the trend for giving out data is shifting to USB flash, not CD or DVD media. Because of this shift, many companies are taking a closer look at buying a USB duplicator.
There are several factors one must consider before spending thousands of dollars on a USB duplicator. We have broken down the most important considerations into four categories. After reviewing these four categories, you should have an excellent idea of which type of duplicator is best for your organization.
USB Duplication Speed
Speed is the first area you should analyze to figure out which direction you should go. When considering speed, we are not simply talking about the copy speed of the USB duplicator, but other factors as well, such as number of USB sockets and the user interface required for feedback during operation. Questions you should ask, include:
# How many USB drives will you need to copy in a day or week?
# How large is the data load in MBs or GBs?
# What kind of turn-around time do you have between a duplication request and when that request should be completed?
# Is there printing, or branding required, on the outside of the USB?
# Do you need proof of performance via a log file?
Answering the above questions will give you an idea of what type of USB duplicator to consider. The type of duplicator will be size, how many USB sockets, copy speed of the duplicator and what type of software, if any, your organization will need.
Your Production Crew
Your next step is to consider the production crew who will be running the equipment. Will there be non-technical people running the equipment, or will a more hands-on approach be required? Is the IT department looking to restrict user access to the equipment or restrict access to the data content during the duplication process?
Much of the above depends on how the data is received before copied to the USB flash drive. For example, a duplication company might receive a physical master from a client; where-as a fulfillment house may get content delivered from a server from an on-line order submission process.
Will the organization require multiple USB duplicators located in different parts of the world? Said another way, many global companies standardize on one manufacturer so the user experience is the same across multiple locations. This also makes production easier as both support and experience can be shared between divisions to streamline processes on a global scale.
Knowing the production crew, their capabilities and responsibilities will help narrow the search for the right piece of equipment.
Read-Only or Read-Write
The third category worth investigating is asking the state of what the USB should be once sent delivered. Is the organization looking to ship out a read-only flash drive? By default all flash drives are read-write. Because of this, many organizations fear a virus could jump onto the drive and spreading to other computers. With that fear in mind, most companies are looking for a USB duplicator which creates a read-only drive product. This means the USB drive is locked, or write protected. The files cannot be deleted or formatted off the drive, and more importantly, files cannot jump onto the drive.
Nexcopy is world leader in read-only flash drive duplicators and therefore used as an example of a duplicator system worth considering.
Lake Forest, CA — July, 2015 — Nexcopy Inc., introduces a new software suite which supports data locking content to secure digital media. The software function supports both full size Secure Digital card media and microSD card media. The data locking feature will turn the SD card into a read only card so data cannot be deleted or formatted off the device.
Write protecting, or data locking content to flash memory is an important security feature. With the Nexcopy software and duplicator, data can be copied to the memory card and as a final step the device will be write protected at the controller level. Performing the data lock at the controller level blocks any third party from manipulating, hacking or tampering with the original content.
With the Nexcopy duplication software and hardware solution, a content owner has the following benefits:
Update: Since the original post, Nexcopy has redisgned their SD duplicator box, the image from the original post has been updated to what is now published. Jan 2024
Nexcopy recently unveiled its industry leading edge in the market with the all new SD200PC Secure Digital card copier; a 20-target SD Duplicator designed for the tech-savvy enthusiasts and businesses immersed in Secure Digital media. While the idea of duplicating 20 copies of a personal SD card may initially raise eyebrows, it becomes apparent that Nexcopy is catering to a niche market, specifically targeting companies engaged in distributing software applications on SD cards for field devices or managing numerous miniSD cards for a fleet of Palm Pilots.
The SD200PC is compatible with microSD cards, opening up possibilities for phone companies to efficiently load promotional materials onto phones for their customers. Considering the increasing power of smartphones and PDAs, coupled with the expanding capacity of media, many individuals now store a significant portion of their data on microSD cards.
With ease-of-use in mind, the SD200PC connects via USB and features 20 numbered SD ports, simplifying the identification of each card. The accompanying software supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS and any proprietary formats an OEM or manufacture has dreamed up. This is possible because of the bit-by-bit copy code design to make a perfect digital copy of the master. This function is compatible with Linux distribution packages but also caters to the intricate requirements of embedded applications that tech enthusiasts often envision. All SD formats are supported, and for those less tech-savvy users, Nexcopy provides a user-friendly job wizard within their software to guide through the SD duplication process seamlessly.
Priced at $1,299, the SD Duplicator is poised to deliver exceptional value, considering its advanced features and immediate availability for delivery. While this investment may seem steep for casual users, it positions itself as a crucial tool for businesses and tech enthusiasts with specific requirements for bulk SD card duplication.
The Nexcopy’s SD200PC is a sophisticated solution for businesses engaged in SD card distribution and tech enthusiasts seeking efficient duplication capabilities. With its broad compatibility, user-friendly features, and competitive pricing, the SD Duplicator offers a compelling option for those looking to manage large quantities of SD and microSD cards effectively.
Source: PRWeb.
VConsole, a notable player in the field of USB flash drive duplicators, has unveiled an advanced system featuring enhanced capacity and encryption technology. In a previous report, we highlighted the Nexcopy USB Flash Drive Duplicator, and now VConsole enters the scene with a compelling alternative.
One notable feature of the VConsole is its remarkable speed, boasting a swift copy time of 91 seconds for 512MB of data. Intriguingly, this speed remains consistent across various configurations, such as the 21 drive system, 42 drive system, and 60 drive system. This uniformity in transfer speed raises eyebrows, as it is uncommon for such systems not to exhibit even slightest signs of speed degradation.
Beyond its speed, the VConsole distinguishes itself with a 128-bit encryption function, providing an added layer of security. However, it’s worth noting that this encryption feature does not come included with the base unit, which is priced at $8,000.
The versatility of the VConsole is nice as it can function as a standalone unit or connect to a host computer offering users the option to access a graphical user interface (GUI) for more detailed insights. VConsole is actively developing multi-casting technology, allowing users to connect multiple units for expanded production capabilities. This advancement is particularly advantageous for overseas operations involved in mass USB drive production.
Despite the impressive features of the VConsole, a strong contender in the market remains the Nexcopy Inc. USB Duplicator. Priced attractively at $999 (as of 2024), the Nexcopy USB Duplicator presents a more budget-friendly option compared to the VConsole’s $8,000 price tag. Choosing between the two systems requires a careful evaluation of specific needs and budget considerations.
Wrapping things up here… the VConsole introduces a high-performance USB flash drive duplicator with notable encryption capabilities. While its speed and security features are commendable, potential users must weigh the costs against their specific requirements, especially when comparing it to more cost-effective alternatives like the Nexcopy Inc. USB Duplicator.
Your Production Crew
