The available storage capacity on a typical USB memory stick now typically exceeds 1GB and its not uncommon for even promotional memory sticks to top 4GB. This is a huge amount of storage capacity, which is great, but unless you’re pretty methodical when you use it the memory stick will very quickly become a cluttered “dumping ground” for data. So much so that unless you start to organise your data into files and folders subsequently finding files you need can become a bit of a nightmare.

Of course you can delete unwanted files but this won’t deal with the root of the problem so sometimes it better to bite the bullet and completely erase all the data from the memory stick. Before you do this make sure you copy all of the files onto your PC – you’ll probably want to transfer some of these back onto the USB memory sticks once its been erased of all data and you’ve put in place some folders and a file structure.

The best way to erase all of the files on a USB memory stick (including any hidden files) is to format the stick. At the end of the format process it will be completely clean of all data and you’ll then be able to create folders and sub-folders to transfer your data back into in.

To format you USB Memory Stick just follow these simple steps:

Step 1 – Transfer any Data from the USB stick to your PC

Its important before you format your USB memory stick that you first copy the files from it onto a host PC. Formatting your USB memory stick completely erases the memory stick so if you want any of your data then its critical you copy it first. Once you’ve started the format process there is no way back so check any copy of the data is done before you start the process.

Step 2 – Formatting your USB Memory Stick on a PC

Click on the Windows “Start” icon in the bottom left hand corner of your PC and then click on “My Computer” (or “Computer” in Vista or Windows 7). Once you’ve done this your PC will perform a quick scan and show you all of the drives installed or connected to your PC. You need to identify the drive that has a “Removable Disk” icon. – click on it to be sure its your USB Memory Stick. Once you are sure its your memory stick then right-click on the “Removable Disk” label. From here you will see a small drop down menu that includes the option to “Format” – click this.

At this point a dialog box will open giving you a couple of options; Leave the “Quick Format” option unchecked because this will make sure absolutely everything is deleted and deleted without errors. Click the “Start” button on the dialog and wait for your USB memory stick to be fully formatted.

Step 3 – Re-load your files

Once your USB Memory Stick has been formatted you’ll have a blank canvas to work with. Its recommended that you then create folders and sub-folders to copy your saved data back into to and that you then get into the habit of saving your data in a structured and organised way.
If you’re a Mac user you can still format your USB Memory Stick as follows:

Load up the “Disk Utility” program. You’ll find this in the “Utilities folder” which you access via the “Applications folder”. Your USB memory stick should be in the list showing a white drive icon. Click that icon and select the “Erase” tab on the main window to start the erase (format) process.

So what are the benefits of offering Custom USB Memory sticks?

• Branded USB Memory sticks are a unique way to get a client’s brand and content to end users in a simply and cost effective way.
• Branded USB Memory sticks are now in the mainstream, so if you are not in the market you could be losing out to your competitors.
• Customised USB memory sticks are quick and easy to manufacturer and have an intrinsic value associated with them. By adding a small margin you have the potential for a supplementary new income stream.
• If you are new to promotional market Branded USB can be an excellent launch product.

How can you offer Branded USB Memory sticks?
There are two main ways of offering Branded Memory sticks to your customers.

Option 1 – Buying direct from the Far East.

The vast majority of Branded USB Memory sticks come from China and Taiwan. The advantage of buying direct is that you can cut out the middleman and make more margin. However there are many risks associated with this.

• Far East suppliers will want their money upfront, before starting any production. So you will have cash flow gap to fund as most clients will pay on delivery or on credit terms.
• If you have not undertaken careful due diligence on the supplier base you could be risking the quality of the goods that are sent or at worst you may never see any goods!
• The Promotional USB manufacturing process is complex and is riddled with many potential issues that can really cost you from both a reputational and financial perspective.
• Customs, duty, VAT will all need accounting for.
• Post sales support must be provided – so what happens if memory sticks need replacing? Sending Branded USB back to the Far East is a difficult, costly and time consuming process.

Option 2 – Buying from a UK provider.

The good news is that there is an easier and lower risk option. By contracting with a reputable UK supplier they will take all of the problems and risk away from you. They will also manage the time consuming element of the Branded USB manufacturing process, leaving you to manage the customer relationship.

The cost may not be that different from dealing direct, as the larger providers will able to demand great economies of scales.

Finding a reputable UK supplier of Branded Memory Sticks

There are many suppliers providing Branded USB Memory Sticks. As with any industry the quality of the organisations varies widely. Whilst normal due diligence is always required, here are a few tips to help you with the process:

• It is always good practice to run a credit check to make sure your supplier is in good financial health. This is more important if you are being asked to pay upfront for the Branded USB Memory sticks.
• Reputation speaks volumes. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and testimonials from their existing customer base and make contact. If they have provided excellent service levels, they will not be embarrassed to share their successes.
• Make sure there are full contact details on the web site including address and contact telephone numbers – and phone them!
• Ensure they are working from a business premises. There is a growing trend for individuals pertaining to be companies are working from home without the infrastructure to support you if things go wrong. An easy way to check this is by using Google Earth.

Apart from picking up your P45, there may be something that can be done  to rescue the situation.

Firstly a problem shared is a problem halved! Contact the UK Branded USB provider assuming you have not purchased direct from the Far East. A reputable company will give you more than excuses and apologies, they should help to dig you out of this hole. If you have purchased direct then contact the factory and wait for the normal  response of ‘return the goods and we shall replace’. This typically takes 3 – 4 weeks and your deadline has already passed!

So what goes wrong and how can you correct it?

1. Delays in customs. If you need the goods urgently, the Far East or UK customs have an unwitting way of selecting your order for inspection. Not much that can be done other than to provide your courier with a letter or authentication prior to despatch to minimise the risk.
2. Courier delays. If the Branded USB Memory Sticks have been delayed in transit and are now stuck at a UPS / FedEx / TNT international hub, you may be able to save some time. Ask them to hold them at their hub rather than sending on a next day delivery and arrange for a point to point courier to pick them up and deliver direct to your event or client. Beware it will have all the commercial invoices on the box so if you want these to remain undisclosed you’ll need to ask the courier to remove.
3. Problems with the Branded USB print. If the brand police are not happy, but end users will not really notice then commercially it may be worth using the USB Branded Memory sticks and then kicking the provider’s shins very hard and asking for a part refund. However, if there is something materially wrong, then ask a UK printer if they can remove the logo using a special solution and then reprint. Can be costly but worth a shot. Alternative produce some dome stickers with your logo printed on and place on top of the offending print.
4. The Promotional USB Memory sticks do not work when you plug them in. You will need to test on various operating platforms and not behind a corporate firewall as this may restrict access. If there is still a problem then format all the disks and pray!
5. Problems with the dataload on the Custom USB Memory Sticks. If data has been loaded on to the USB Drives and it is not protected or has an autorun function then simply format the Branded USBs and reload the data. For quantities of less than 100 units, grab a very long coffee and spend a few hours doing this thankless task. If time does not permit, or if the quantity is higher then contact a UK data duplication house who can do this for you at a price.

If the disks are protected then panic! The only chance you have is to ask the supplier for software that will allow you to reprogramme. This is both a technically difficult and a time consuming process.

If none of the above works then search for a UK supplier that holds blank USB Memory sticks and who can print within the timeframe required. Swiftly followed by a phone call to your corporate lawyer to get your money back from the cowboys that produced the original batch.

Finally always insist on a pre-production working sample, that way you will know exactly what you are going to receive and allows you to sleep easier…well just a little!