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

Development kits set to make design work easier

~ Nexus GB releases new PC based development tools to help design engineers stuck at the drawing board ~

Nexus (GB), the UK partner of portable data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, has released a 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 NFX managed memory tokens, which act as USB style portable data carrier devices without the drawbacks of a consumer style memory product.

The kit allows Visual C++ or Visual Basic programmers to easily learn to integrate memory keys or tokens, greatly reducing research and development time and costs.

The NFX version of the development kit supports the latest release of the NFX family of tokens and includes a sample application, which illustrates how to use each of the example commands. Also new is a command line utility that allows for simplified testing and configuration of the NFX token’s unique OEM and security features.

Both kits operate with any Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP PC and guide the user through a simple programming process for a variety of basic commands. Each development kit includes a panel mount and a board mount or receptacle, a key or token memory device, an RS-232 or USB connecting cable, PC demo software, sample source code, and a programmer’s reference manual. The NFX version of the development kit contains two tokens and two receptacles.

"The NFX Managed-Memory line of portable memory tokens was designed with OEMs in mind," says Michael Barrett, Nexus’ operations director. "Long-term availability, stable command set, USB or SPI interfaces, ultra-rugged and reliable operation, special OEM and security features, custom logo options —these are all qualities that OEMs require in a portable data carrier."

Both development kits provide documentation on how to develop applications for embedded and PC platforms. Because the NFX has both SPI and USB options, it can interface with an embedded microprocessor through its SPI bus and/or with a PC or embedded computer through its USB bus. This provides an effective form of data transport in applications or environments where networking is impractical or impossible.

Ends: 379 words

Editor’s note: 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:
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: http://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: 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: NEX034/06/09

White paper set to elucidate portable data

~ Nexus GB announces guide to using data in non-networked applications ~

Nexus (GB), the UK partner of portable data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, has released a white paper entitled ‘Transferring Data in Non-Networked Applications’. The new release covers considerations such as data transport, choosing portable memory, functionality, environmental considerations and product life cycle.

Common applications for non networked data transfer using portable memory include manufacturing, processing, medical device design, secure communications, recipe uploads in food processing and service, unattended fuelling and cashless vending.

The white paper argues that, even though an increasing number of embedded applications are networked via wired or wireless methods, many system designers are deciding that in their new applications, data transport will be done through non-networked means. In applications where networking is not possible or practical, engineers are faced with the challenge of transferring data to and from their products through a portable data carrier – a physical device containing non-volatile memory used for data storage and transfer. The type of data that can be transferred includes firmware updates, feature enhancements, calibration data, configuration/recipe uploads, data logs, usage monitoring/limiting, and more.

“We hope this white paper will help more designers working on non-networked applications avoid expensive mistakes,” explained John Barrett, managing director of Nexus. “There are a number of options for portable data carriers available, and engineers need to be sure that what they choose is well suited for their application. Commonly used consumer-based options such as smart cards, USB flash drives and memory cards are not rugged enough for OEM applications and come with many hidden costs and risks.”

Free copies of the white paper can be obtained by e-mailing Nexus’ operations director, Michael Barrett, (michael@nexusgb.co.uk) or visiting the Nexus web site http://www.nexusgb.co.uk/downloads.html.

Ends: 291 words

Editor’s note: 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

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: NEX034/06/09

OEMs set to save space with externally mounted rugged portable memory

Rugged memory tokens and keys

~ No need to give up panel space or interior volume with Bar series memory keys and tokens ~
Nexus GB has released the Datakey Electronics Bar Series of rugged, portable memory products, consisting of memory tokens and mating receptacles. The Bar series receptacle features an on surface mounting system, which allows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to add a portable data carrier to their product without giving up large amounts of panel space or interior volume. The series also features an IP-67 immersion rating and is designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding military and industrial applications.

The unique on-surface mounting style minimises the amount of interior space required, as only the receptacle's pins extend inside the OEM device. Also, the Bar Receptacle has a small footprint of only 5.3 cm2. The receptacle is secured using two screws and an adhesive gasket, which also contributes to the Bar's IP-67 rating and provides a tamper-evident installation.

While originally designed to meet the requirements of tactical military applications like Crypto Ignition Keys (CIKs), the Bar can also be used in other harsh environment applications, such as: machine access control, calibration & parameter uploads, feature enable/disable, and data transfer.

Designed for use in the most challenging environments, the Bar series meets United States Department of Defence MIL-STD-810F specifications, including: shock, vibration, immersion, salt-fog, blowing dust, blowing sand, freezing rain and more. This is extremely useful for OEMs selling into the military as well as into commercial applications that have chosen to implement this influential standard.

The Bar has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C (-40°C to +100°C storage) and has ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection to greater than 15kV. Also, both the Bar token and receptacle are designed to minimise electromagnetic emissions, which is important in many military applications.

The Bar provides an intuitive slide-in/slide-out operation and features an open design for easy in-field cleaning, an important feature for tactical devices. The Bar token and receptacle have physical features to ensure that the token can only be inserted in the proper orientation, allowing for “by-feel” operation in the dark. The receptacle features a retention pin that provides tactile feedback when the token is fully inserted, and also helps keep the Token firmly in place during operation - standing up to the most demanding shock and vibration requirements.

Both the Bar memory token and the Bar receptacle use solid over moulded construction, making them extremely rugged and durable. The token uses industry standard serial EEPROM with SPI, I2C and Microwire serial interface options and memory sizes ranging from 1Kbit to 256Kbit. Additionally, the Bar token features a writeable label and is small enough to be carried in a pocket or placed on a keychain or lanyard.

Unlike consumer memory solutions, such as SD cards and USB flash drives, the Bar series memory tokens have a high mating cycle-life (25,000-cycles for the receptacle and 15,000 cycles for the token), are sold only to OEMs, and have long-term product availability. Free token and receptacle samples are available to UK customers from Nexus GB.

Ends: 521 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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

Ref: NEX037/01/10