High capacity data token strikes the right key

~ New tokens help OEMs protect against unauthorised use of data, information loss and theft, viruses and malware ~
Nexus GB has launched Datakey Electronics’ new High Capacity Line (HCL) of portable memory tokens in the UK and Ireland. The HCL allows embedded system designers to incorporate high capacity memory devices into their designs, without the shortcomings that consumer-focused solutions bring.

The High Capacity Line tokens differ from SD cards and USB flash drives in three important ways. The first is that the memory token's unique form-factor means that it can't plug into an un-adapted PC or system, which helps to protect the data on the token. The unique form-factor of the receptacle can also prevent consumer devices from plugging into the OEM’s system, which helps protect that system from unauthorized access, and prevents malicious files, such as viruses and Trojans, from being uploaded.

The token's controlled availability virtually assures that only approved devices are used in the OEM system and provides the OEM with an additional revenue stream from the sale of memory tokens to their users. Furthermore, this means that should a data token be lost or stolen the data stored on it can’t be accessed by anyone without an appropriately adapted PC or system.

Secondly the tokens are manufactured using a solid over-moulding process and are constructed out of an ultra rugged composite plastic material. This makes them impervious to penetration by liquids and practically crush-proof.

The final major difference is that the HCL range uses a contact system with a high lifespan of 50,000 cycles, compared to just 1,500 cycles for most type A USB receptacles. At just ten cycles per day a USB Type A receptacle will exceed its rated lifespan in only five months. At the same ten cycle per day rate, it would take a Datakey Electronics receptacle 13 years to exceed its rated lifespan.

These advantages mean that new HCL range combines the large memory and high throughput of consumer products, like USB flash drives and SD cards, with the advantages of an industrial memory token. Other benefits include reliable operation and the harsh environment capability of Datakey Electronics tokens and receptacles. The HCL range comes with 4GB of non-volatile memory as standard, with larger capacities of up to 32GB available.

The High Capacity Line includes two families of memory tokens; the DFX series, which delivers a high-performance SD (secure digital) interface, including SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and the UFX series, which delivers a USB 2.0 high speed connection. As a result, these new memory tokens are easily integrated into embedded controllers, single board computers and industrial PC designs, as many of these devices are fitted with one or more of these serial interfaces. Integration is straightforward and is typically accomplished by adding one of Datakey Electronics' industrial mating receptacles.

Datakey Electronics’ range of receptacles features multiple mounting options including through-hole, surface mount, and panel mount versions. Panel mount options are available in IP65, IP67 and EMI-reduction versions to meet the needs of harsh environment applications. All of the receptacles are rated for 50,000 cycles and withstand shock and vibration, extreme temperatures, humidity, salt-fog environments and exposure to various chemicals.

Ends: 549 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Victoria Barrett, Marketing and PR director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk
e-mail: victoria@nexusgb.co.uk
Twitter: @NexusGB

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction Ltd, No. 2 the Garthlands,
Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com
Twitter: @RichieStone

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by industrial OEMs, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX065/10/10

Managed memory gives OEMs control of data

~ Nexus GB extends its product range with the NFX managed memory token in UK and Ireland ~

Nexus GB has added the NFX managed memory token to its product range, which provides portable data transport for use in OEM systems controlled by embedded microprocessors. Manufactured in the United States by Datakey Electronics Inc, the tokens are used to transport data to and from non-networked electronic devices, deployed in any environment. The NFX features an SPI (Service Provider Interface) for simple direct connection to microprocessors and a storage capacity from 128MB to 1GB.

Nexus GB believes that the functionality provided by the NFX series results in a data token more suited to the needs of OEMs than that offered by consumer solutions, such as camera cards and USB sticks. The NFX’s guaranteed long-term availability, total system ownership, rugged build and reliability uniquely combine to meet the needs of embedded systems. In addition, the tokens provide an efficient command set and on-board file management system, which eases the host microprocessor’s load, decreasing both hardware requirements and firmware complexity.

Long-term availability of the tokens is ensured by configuration controlling the token’s electrical, mechanical and software interfaces for each OEM program. This virtually eliminates the costly re-qualifications OEMs suffer due to the ever accelerating obsolescence of mass-market memory devices. Additionally, this configuration-control effectively eliminates the need for in field updating of deployed OEM equipment due to data carrier obsolescence.

“In comparison with the NFX, consumer products seem unmanageable,” commented Nexus GB marketing director Victoria Barrett. “Our ‘managed memory’ concept means that the device provides OEMs with control over all of its critical aspects. They can manage the file system, be assured of long term availability, source the entire data carrier and receptacle structure from a single point and easily manage implementation. Ultimately, we hope this helps OEMS choose between consumer and industrial memory more effectively.”

The NFX token’s electronics are extremely rugged because they are solid over-moulded. The token can be soaked in water or fuels, covered in mud, autoclaved, washed, and even driven over by a truck and it will still work. Its redundant contact system and 50,000 cycle mating receptacle design have been used successfully, in other Datakey products, for more than 15 years in the most extreme conditions; including military, medical, and industrial applications.

The token also features several customisable write-once registers that can be used for encryption seeds, one-time use flags or write protect flags. This enables protection of onboard data and the distribution or sale of software, firmware upgrades or recipes.

Nexus GB supports the NFX with a complete line of peripherals including mating receptacles and development kits designed to help embedded designers reduce R&D costs, bring products to market more quickly and reduce technical risk.

Ends: 460 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: http://www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com/. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Victoria Barrett, Marketing and PR director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: http://www.nexusgb.co.uk/
e-mail: victoria@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction Ltd, No. 2 the Garthlands,
Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/
Blog: http://www.stone-junction.blogspot.com/

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX005/07/10

Legacy of consumer memory will be a generation of problems, claims Nexus GB

~ Survey suggests that obsolescence tops the list of data difficulties electronics designers face ~
A survey of design engineers conducted by portable memory specialist Nexus GB has shown that industry is beset with problems resulting from the use of consumer memory in specialist and industrial applications. Furthermore, Nexus believes that these problems will only get worse as time passes.

A staggering 70% of respondents claim to have experienced problems due to one or more of three leading factors identified in the survey; obsolescence, lack of compatibility between products from different manufacturers and loss of data due to unreliable connectors.   Independently, each of these leading factors affected 20-30% of those who took part in the study. Furthermore, these problems are all more likely to take effect the longer a product has been in circulation. As a result, Nexus believes that continued inappropriate use of consumer style memory products in industry could create a legacy of technical issues for forthcoming generations of design engineers to face.

“It’s bad enough if one of these factors affects your product when it’s launched or within a couple of years of it being in production,” explained managing director John Barrett. “However, it’s much worse if it comes into play further down the line when you might find that a complete re-design is required. This could be due to a combination of obsolescence with another factor such as changes in memory standards, for instance. This is where rectifying the issue can become really expensive. It’s far, far cheaper to start with a memory product, like our own, which is fit for purpose in the first instance.”

Over 28% of respondents agreed that using consumer memory had resulted in problems with obsolescence, while 23% said they had experienced issues with loss of data due to unreliable connectors. Incompatibility between products from different manufacturers created difficulties for 22% of respondents, while theft of the memory product itself has been a problem for 10% of the designers surveyed. Changing memory standards have surprisingly created few crises, perhaps because of the number of machines that are now built on a ‘fit and forget’ basis, with only 8.5% of participants claiming this had affected them.

“Although these are shocking figures I wouldn’t say we are surprised by them,” explained Nexus’ PR and marketing director Victoria Barrett. “Anecdotal evidence from our customer base over the years has turned up several examples of such issues de-railing OEM projects. One customer contacted us the day they launched their own product because on the same day they had received a letter from the memory manufacturer requesting a ‘last time buy’ order before production ceased!”

Nexus GB is the UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for US manufacturer Datakey Electronics’ range of portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Nexus surveyed just under a hundred design engineers all of whom were working in a senior role in UK OEMs. The respondents were asked a series of non-leading multiple choice questions and the possible answers were displayed in random order with hundreds of potential combinations on each page.

Ends: 568 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: http://www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com/. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

For further information contact:Victoria Barrett, Marketing and PR director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: http://www.nexusgb.co.uk/ 
e-mail: victoria@nexusgb.co.uk 

Press enquiries: Oana Baetica or Richard Stone
Stone Junction Ltd, Business Innovation Centre
Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside
Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0AR
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk; oana@stonejunction.co.uk 
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/ 
Blog: http://www.stone-junction.blogspot.com/

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX059/06/2010

Telecoms high flyer set to communicate industrial memory message

~ Victoria Barrett joins Nexus GB ~

Former Vodafone and Samsung marketing expert, Victoria Barrett has joined Nexus GB, the UK partner of memory specialist Datakey Electronics, as director of technical PR and marketing. Barrett’s role will focus on communicating to design engineers the benefits of using the company’s specialist industrial memory. Nexus’ memory solutions are more rugged, scalable and long lasting than commercially available alternatives, such as memory cards and USB sticks. Crucially, they are also available for the lifespan of an OEM’s product, unlike consumer alternatives which are normally withdrawn as obsolete relatively quickly.

Barrett graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a degree in business with languages before working for CCTV technology company Telespec Ltd. She then spent time at Zeneca Agro Chemicals’ Latin American marketing division before moving on to Vodafone, Samsung, HPI Ltd and finally Ordinance Survey in a variety of channel marketing roles.

At Samsung Mobile UK, Barrett was a key member of a team that developed and rolled out a highly successful accreditation programme for dealers. “This was a career highlight,” explained Barrett. “The project was all about providing safety as well as value for our end users, the consumer, as well as our immediate customer; the dealer. In a sense it’s similar to my project here, which is focused on provided OEMs with a memory product that can be built in, relied upon and replaced indefinitely if required. The crux in both cases is ensuring that the product or service provides an advantage for the overall system. At Nexus our products stand in contrast to consumer focussed memory, which is often the Achilles heel when designed into an industrial product.”

When not in a working environment, Barrett enjoys using her foreign languages, French and Spanish, socially. She is also secretary of the twinning committee, and a key member of the amateur dramatics committee, in her home village.

Ends: 325 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: http://www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Victoria Barrett, Operations director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk
e-mail: michael@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, No2 The Garthlands, Stafford, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX048/03/10

Nexus GB set to exhibit at Embedded Masterclass

~ Rugged, portable data specialist will focus on the basics of choosing industrial memory at electronics event ~

Nexus GB, the UK partner of portable, rugged data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, will be exhibiting at the annual Embedded Masterclass show in Reading on May 11 this year. The show is being hosted in the Hilton Hotel, just off junction 11 of the M4.

The object of Embedded Masterclass is to provide a non-sales forum where embedded systems engineers can meet a range of industry experts from key vendors. As a result, Nexus has chosen to base its exhibit on the idea of designing-in industrial memory, rather than consumer style SD, SDHC, HD memory cards or USB sticks.

When an OEM product requires the use of a portable memory device, electronics engineers often consider consumer memory solutions. This is not surprising, as these devices have become an integral part of daily life. However, before integrating a consumer memory device into an embedded system, engineers must be aware of the potential pitfalls that these consumer focused products can have. These include obsolescence, over specification resulting in high costs, low mated lifecycles, constantly changing standards and insecure form factors.

“Embedded Masterclass has a philosophy of encouraging exhibitors to send their engineers, not their sales staff. It has kept the exhibition on the tabletop rather than making it booth based, to keep it about technology rather than marketing spend,” explained John Barrett, Nexus’ managing director. “Intriguingly the organisation has also banned PowerPoint from its series of master class presentations, reinforcing the back to basics, technical ethos at its core. We feel that by reflecting this in our theme, we are offering the best fit and right information for the technical visitors that will be at the show.”

Nexus GB is also offering all potential visitors a free copy of its downloadable ten point guide to choosing industrial memory, which can be found on the Embedded Masterclass Web site, here http://tiny.cc/embedded539.

Ends: 335 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Victoria Barrett, Marketing and PR director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk
e-mail: victoria@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction Ltd, No. 2 the Garthlands,
Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Technical PR Blog

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX047/03/10

Immersion rated portable data tokens and designer’s kits on show at MedTec

~ Nexus GB set to show its range of memory products for medical device manufacturers ~

Nexus GB, the exclusive UK distributor of Datakey Electronics’ range of portable memory products, will be exhibiting at the MedTec exhibition and conference at the NEC on April 27 and 28. Nexus will be on stand 2250 in hall 20, where it will show its entire range of tokens and receptacles. In the medical device design industry, these products find applications ranging from anti counterfeit measures and product authentication to calibration and limit use.

Central to its stand will be its range of IP67 immersion rated and EMI reduction receptacles. The new product works with the company’s proven memory tokens, providing OEMs with a one stop shop for harsh-environment data needs. The range has several uses in medical applications where it is ideal for devices that will be autoclaved, sterilised or washed down when in use.

The new series, designated the SR4310, is also available in IP-65 (splash-proof) and IP-67-EMI (immersion-rated with Electromagnetic Frequency reduction) versions. “I think the key for medical OEMs is that this product is a long term memory solution,” explained Victoria Barrett, Nexus’ director of PR and marketing. “Unlike most models of USB memory or camera cards it won’t be obsolete by the time an OEM has brought a design to market. This can be the crux of the issue for medical applications which are often very long lead-time designs.”

Also on show will be Nexus’ family of serial development kits that provide all the necessary tools to build a simulated portable data system and test its features and benefits. The basic development kit covers the majority of Nexus’ range, whilst a specialist kit covers its managed memory tokens, which act as USB style portable data carrier devices without the drawbacks of a consumer style memory product.

Journalists who would like to arrange an interview with a Nexus representative at MedTec should contact Richard Stone, of Stone Junction, on (0) +20 8699 7743 or e-mail richards@stonejunction.co.uk.

Ends: 347 words

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Michael Barrett, Operations director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk
e-mail: michael@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX045/01/10