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Posts Tagged ‘USB Memory Stick’

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Custom USB Memory Sticks – What To Do When Things Go Wrong?

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Your major press launch is in 3 days, the long awaited Branded USB Memory sticks that will be the centre piece of your event have just arrived and you eagerly open the box and get that sinking feeling! There’s a problem with the Branded Memory Sticks and the sands of time have run out. What can you do?

Apart from kissing your job goodbye, there may be something that can be done to rescue the situation.

Firstly 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 and sort the issue out. If you have purchased direct from the Far East and wait for the normal response of ‘return the goods and we shall replace’ the deadline will be missed.

So what can go wrong and what can you to save?

  1. Courier delays. If the Branded USB Memory Sticks have been delayed in transit and are now stuck at an 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.
  2. Delays in customs. If you need the goods urgently, the Far East or UK customs have a 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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. If you have used a Twister memory stick which is the most popular model, then look to print some new clip via a UK provider and replacing.
  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 that 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.
  6. Missing Accessories or problems with packaging. It is not uncommon for essential items such as keyring or lanyards to fit on the branded memory sticks have been forgotten when despatched from the Far East. Or the gift box they come in to be broken. Again there are several UK suppliers that hold this type of stock. So get onto web and start searching – you should find something that will do the trick.

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.

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!

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Custom USB Memory Sticks – What To Do When Things Go Wrong?

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Weakness of Sterling Drives up USB Flash Drive Prices

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Over the last 3 months the pound (GBP) has fallen around 11% against the US dollar (USD) and at the moment the trend looks like continuing downwards. Sterling today fell to a 10-month low against the dollar with many analysts now predicting a continuation of the fall to $1.4.  The fall seems to be driven by a number of key factors including:
GBP USD

  • Currency speculators have built up over $6bn of short positions against sterling (effectively betting that it will fall).
  • There are doubts about the Bank of England’s Bank of England’s plans in relation to quantitative easing in the UK.
  • Opinion polls over the week-end seemed to indicate that Labour could hold onto power in the forthcoming general elections – the market is concerned that labour will not deal with effectively with the UK’s record fiscal deficit.
  • The Prudential’s purchase of AIG’s Asia business will put further pressure on the pound because $25bn of the transaction will be in cash and in dollars.

If the pound does fall to $1.4 then this will represent a 17% fall in a relatively short space of time. This has a significant impact on the cost of imported goods into the UK and has a direct bearing on the costs of branded flash drives and custom USB memory sticks.

Pretty much every USB memory stick in the world in manufactured in China and suppliers of memory sticks pay the factories in China in US dollars. Consequently, the fall in the value of the pound has a direct impact on the cost of USB flash drives. Couple these currency cost increases with the recent 2.5% increase in VAT its easy to see why costs risen over the past couple of months and look set to increase moving forward.

Some suppliers will have protected themselves to some degree against these fluctuations but this is only likely to be short-lived. If you are looking to buy branded memory sticks now then be prepared for quotes to be valid for just a day or two (the suppliers need to protect themselves against the vagaries of the market) and be prepared to make decisions quickly to secure the best price you can.

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Weakness of Sterling Drives up USB Flash Drive Prices

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Branded Memory Sticks – Divided By A Common Language

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Without doubt one of the success stories of the promotional industry is the humble USB memory stick. Literally millions of them are manufactured each year and in most cases given away to support a companies advertising or marketing goal.

USB memory sticks are no longer the preserve of the “techie” but instead are the de facto accessory for a significant number of us. It’s the ubiquitous nature of the memory stick coupled with their ease of use and sheer usefulness that makes them popular.

USB Pens

Combine popular with usefulness and a price point that is relatively inexpensive and you have a near perfect promotional vehicle. Couple this with the ability to brand them easily or produce custom versions that take on the form factor of your products and you begin to see their value,

But, the one aspect of a branded memory stick that continues to confuse, baffle and at times frustrate people is what you call them. Are they branded memory sticks, USB sticks, USB flash drives, USB pens, flash pens, USB pen drives, thumb drive, USB thumb drives or any combination of these.

USB Twist

Whilst this might seem to be a trivial matter it does make sourcing branded memory sticks all that more tricky and of course for suppliers looking to promote their services its equally difficult. There can be few products called that we all recognise instantly that we give different labels to. After all an umbrella is an umbrella, a mouse mat is a mouse mat but a memory stick, well, take your pick.

Fortunately, this small issue doesn’t look like it’s going to dent the inexorable climb of the branded memory stick towards to top of the promotional product pile. After all, no matter what you call them what is not in dispute is that they do a fantastic job at promoting a company’s brand or product.

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Branded Memory Sticks – Divided By A Common Language

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Why PR Agencies Should Embrace Customised USB Memory Sticks?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

The core of any successful PR agency is to ensure that the story you are trying to push makes an impact with the target media. They are competing against other agencies try to grab the same column inch space.

So how do you make sure that the PR message is delivered in a manner that is impactful, cost effective, relevant and above all practical.

Custom USB

The answer is the simple Branded Memory Sticks. But not just any generic, standardised and boring shape or size. What the optimum delivery vehicle for any press pack is the Custom USB Memory Stick. Technology has now markedly improved, to allow  a simply picture or graphic to emerge as a unique Customised USB Memory Stick that is in the shape of the story / product / brand you are trying to promote.

Custom USB

So whether its the launch of a new car, drink, food, financial product, in fact any shape or size you can think of, a Customised Memory Stick can be made to that shape. Simply load the press pack onto the Customised Memory stick and away you go. So why does it tick all the boxes?

  • It is human nature for someone to start playing / pulling apart a Customised USB Memory stick and to start showing it to other colleagues and ultimately plugging it in to see what all the fuss is about. For example, a well known health product provider wanted to launch a new female sanitary towel and a key part of this was PR. So they produced a USB memory stick in the shape of the product! The impact was dramatic, how could it be anything else.
  • A range of factual and multimedia data can be loaded onto the Customised memory stick which autoruns once the memory stick has been plugged in.
  • This is a great keepsake so the story / product you are trying to promote will have longevity.
  • The cost of manufacturing has fallen dramatically and the minimum order quantity for Customised Memory Stick can be as low as 100 units.
  • So how to you go about getting a Customised Branded USB Memory stick? Firstly contact an established and reputable UK USB Memory Stick provider. The process thereafter is simple.
  • Send a picture of the shape of the memory stick you are after.
  • A 3d Cad drawing will be prepared for sign-off.
  • Tooling will be produced and a pre-production sample manufactured.
  • Once this is agreed the full production and delivery will take less than 2 weeks.

So before you start pulling together that next cardboard folder full of reams of paper, think again….. Custom USB Memory sticks could be what makes your PR campaign a success or not.

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Why PR Agencies Should Embrace Customised USB Memory Sticks?

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USB Memory Stick Accessories – don’t forget them!

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

USB Accessories

A memory stick is a great way to transport data but they can easily find the bottom of your pocket or bag. It is a good idea to remember that USB2U can provide a range of suitable accessories and packaging to help avoid losing that important little stick! There are many different options of accessories and packaging available such as, lanyards, key rings, carabiners and USB extension cables.

USB lanyard

Lanyards

Lanyards are probably the most popular choice with many of our customers. They can be attached securely to the USB drive and placed around the users neck – a great idea to avoid losing vital data!. And while lanyards are typically worn around the neck, it’s not unusual for them to be hanging out of pockets or belt loops, wrapped around as wrist straps or attached to and hanging from many other things! Lanyards can also be branded with your logo or message.

USB keyring

Keyrings

Key Rings are also a useful accessory to consider. Like lanyards they can be attached to the USB drive and in turn attached to your keys meaning you will never be without your memory stick and data! They are available in different sizes and are more robust than lanyards.

USB carabiner

Carabiners

Our carabiner’s are fast becoming a favourite. These function like a climber’s carabiner and can be attached to the hook of your branded USB. They’re also great for attaching onto bags or laptop cases. Unlike most small key rings they are also big enough to carry a brand or logo.

USB extension cable

USB Extension Cables

USB extension cables are worth considering if your PC box is located under your desk. You simply plug the extension into the USB drive of your PC and feed the cable onto your desktop. You’ll never have to struggle to plug your branded USB drive underneath your desk again!

All of the above mentioned accessories can be supplied with your order of branded USB memory sticks and are available in different colours, shapes and sizes. If you are not sure about which would suit you best please contact USB2U where an Account Manager will be happy to discuss your options.

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USB Memory Stick Accessories – don’t forget them!

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Northampton University Choose USB2U for Branded USB Memory Sticks

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

The University of Northampton, specifically the Northampton Business School at the University, required a uniquely branded USB Memory Stick to promote the Higher Education Alliance (HEA) within the university.

The University of Northampton Higher Education Alliance (HEA) was established to bring together the University and staff from all regional educational establishments, to provide a forum for the discussion and sharing of best practice regarding the University’s guidance activity.

Univeristy of Northampton USB Flash Drives

The aim of the USB Memory Stick was to provide students with an incentive to complete feedback on their distant learning programmes.  The prerequisite was to provide an incentive that was both compelling, relevant and useful for students.

As there is no permanent storage area on the University network for students, the USB Memory Stick would be an extremely useful tool, allowing students to store, back up and transport important coursework.

The University undertook a tender process and the normal due diligence checks. We were delighted that they selected USB2u to supply Branded USB memory sticks, not least because we are practically neighbours.

Sebastian La Porta, Sales Director for USB2U, explained “We were delighted to be trusted with the University’s important project. We were particularly pleased that the University were able to support a local business.  We have delivered many hundreds of successful projects for universities across the UK, but the team were particularly pleased to be working for our own local university.”

Dr David Burnapp (Senior Lecturer) was a very strong advocate for the project as student feedback is of the utmost importance. The dual-sided branding on the USB memory sticks ensures that it not only represents the University, but also the HEA.

Univeristy of Northampton USB Flash Drives

“We were delighted with the high quality of the goods and level of support that we received from USB2U. Whilst they won the order on our standard selection criteria, it was particularly pleasing to place this with a local and established business.”

Note:

USB2U is a leading supplier of promotional USB memory sticks, branded USB flash Drives, custom USB sticks and USB pens printed with your logo on. In fact we can supply and print pretty much anything that has a USB connector on it.

We’ve been supplying branded USB memory sticks since 2002 so you’re in safe hands. Our customers range from small local schools to some of the largest multinational companies on the planet. Irrespective of how big or small you are we’ll strive to give you unbeatable prices coupled with a fast and efficient service. Contact us trade@usb2u.co.uk.

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Northampton University Choose USB2U for Branded USB Memory Sticks

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Branded USB Memory Sticks – Why Are So Many Being Given Away

Monday, September 14th, 2009

It’s no exaggeration to say that millions and millions of Branded USB Memory Sticks are given away free every year and the trend is accelerating. But why, what makes a branded USB memory stick such a great item and what are they most commonly being used for?

Branded USB

Branded USB Memory Sticks are incredibly popular with everyone because:

  1. They are incredibly handy gadgets that make storing and transporting large amounts of data very easy.
  2. They come in a range of designs and styles that look great when printed up with a logo or brand. Matching the body of many of the USB Memory Sticks to a primary colour from the printed brand is relatively easy to do and inexpensive and helps to lift the overall “look and feel” of the memory stick.
  3. People like to receive branded USB memory sticks because of their perceived value and because of their intrinsic usefulness.
  4. They are small and light so transportation, storage and distribution is never an issue.
  5. They have global appeal. Unlike some promotional products that only work in certain markets and cultures USB memory sticks have a universal appeal.
  6. They are easy to use and data (files, music, videos, presentations, etc.) can be stored onto the memory stick before they are distribution.
  7. Prices have fallen over the last few years making them a cost effective marketing and promotional tool.

What are the most common uses for Branded USB Memory Sticks?

Not surprisingly given their popularity the usage of memory sticks continues to grow and new and innovative uses for them are being found all the time. Some of the more common uses include:

  1. Giveaways at trade shows, exhibitions and conferences – branded USB memory sticks are an ideal way to get your brand distributed and your sales brochures brought to life. Pre-loading links to your website, including sales videos and presentations together with product sheets and special offers.
  2. Seminars where they are typically pre-loaded with speakers notes, presentations and details of forthcoming seminars and events that the audience might be interested in.
  3. Press Launches – handing out a branded or even a custom shaped USB Memory stick at a press launch is a great way to engage with the invited journalists. Custom USB memory sticks manufactured in a shape to represent the event are becoming increasingly popular because of the “wow” factor and talking point they create.
  4. Product Launches – USB memory sticks printed with the logo or design of your product (or even manufactured in the shape of your product) and pre-loaded with product information, preview videos, pricing etc are popular. More and more companies are now using memory sticks are a core part of their overall sales and marketing mix and launch plans.
  5. University Fresher Fairs – every student loves something for nothing and if it can’t be beer then a USB memory stick is a good substitute particularly if you can pre-load it with lots of useful information for them on the university, life as a student, student offers, housing information, student union details etc.
  6. Schools – Many schools now mandate the use memory sticks and are either making them available to students free of charge or supplying them with the school crest/logo on at a subsidised rate.

Whilst not an exhaustive list it does illustrate the range of uses the once humble USB memory stick is now being put to.

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Branded USB Memory Sticks – Why Are So Many Being Given Away

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Personalised Memory Stick Will Stand You Apart

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

If there is anything that has defined the past decade, it will be the notion that anyone can have a touch of celebrity and the dream of being a star is no longer out of reach. This is easily shown in the high number of reality TV shows that are available and the lengths that people will take to become famous. Whilst this does not apply to absolutely everyone, there is no doubt that the cult of celebrity and fame has filtered through to so many different walks of life. One of the key areas this can be shown in is the fact that customisation and personalisation of products is at an all time high. Whatever it is, it’s usually possible to plaster a name or image across it which will immediately mark something as being owned solely by one person. One of the key exponents of this type of situation is the personalised memory stick which is growing in popularity for so many people.

Anyone can have a simple memory stick and it will do the job that it was intended to do. If it saves your data and information and allows users to access it whenever they need, then the memory stick is doing its job but people are always looking for more. Therefore, firms are looking for ways to add value to the product and the personalised memory stick is an excellent opportunity for doing so. It is one thing having a memory stick that is large enough to contain all the information and data you need, it is completely another for it to have your own name splashed all over it.

Branded USB

School pupils and college students are finding that they are expected to do a lot more course-work on computers and can transfer work between home and school on a regular basis. This means that they will need a safe and secure method of storing and saving data, which has seen the demand for memory sticks rise sharply. However, if a class room of thirty or more students are working in a computer lab and all with their own memory sticks, it may become very easy for the sticks to become mixed up. A student who has a personalised memory stick would not experience this situation as the branding on their stick would instinctively mark it out as their own product.

The beauty about the personalised memory stick is that the only limitation that can be placed on it will be the imagination of the firm or customer. Any sort of colour would be available but the range of shapes and fabrics that can be used in these products has risen sharply in the past few years. Whether it is to show off a particular product or character or just to have a unique shape that stands out from the norm, the personalised memory stick is the ideal way to stamp your unique identity onto your work and let people know that you follow your own rules.

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Personalised Memory Stick Will Stand You Apart

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USB2U – Express Service

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Have you been given the task of sourcing Promotional USB memory sticks in a hurry, but keep getting quoted a 10-14 day turnaround? Have you been let down by another supplier? Or need Branded USB memory sticks for a show or event where the deadline will not move? If so, USB2U offers an Express Service for printed USB memory sticks!

The vast majority of Promotional USB memory sticks are manufactured in the Far East then shipped to the UK. The timeframe to proof, manufacturer and then to ship in (assuming there are NO customs delays) means that the typically turnaround is 10-14 days.

At USB2U we like to offer our customers a safety net by offering an Express Print and Delivery Service.  We keep stock of the most popular USB memory stick models in the UK and we can proof, print in up to 4 colours and delivery the entire job within 48 business hours. For those real emergencies we can even deliver the same day.

In addition, to our rapid printing we are able to upload your data files to your memory sticks, saving you another time consuming task.

All you need to do is provide us with the artwork and data files then just relax and we’ll do the rest.

Please call a member of our friendly team to discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation on 01604 685040 or email: trade@usb2u.co.uk

Express Service Overview in 3 steps:

Day 1: Place order / sign off visual proof
Day 2: USB2U prints your items / uploads your data
Day 3: Items delivered to your door or direct to your client

USB2U USB Twister
Twister: Our most popular model

Some of our customers’ comments:

“Amazed that the Branded USB Memory Sticks arrived so quickly – it got us out of a real fix”

“I ordered printed USB’s memory sticks on Wednesday afternoon and they were delivered on Friday morning – WOW – thanks”

“I was let down at the last minute by another supplier. USB2U were able to rescue our exhibition”

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USB2U – Express Service

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Choosing the Right Supplier For Your Branded USB Memory Sticks

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

There are currently a large number of suppliers providing Branded and Promotional USB Memory Sticks in the U.K. This makes the marketplace fiercely competitive and as a result the end user would naturally benefit from lower prices. In turn, this also puts a lot of pressure on suppliers to reduce their costs. Some suppliers take this too far so it is important to consider factors other than price when choosing your USB Memory Stick supplier. There are four very important considerations to be take into account:

1. Speed of Service
2. Quality of USB Memory Sticks
3. Financial Stability of Company Supplying Flash Drives
4. Reputation.

Speed of service will largely depend on the individual company’s business model. Many companies claim to have fast turnaround times, but when called to task on orders to supply large amounts of branded USB Memory Sticks, they fall short on initial promises and the turnaround times increase by 2 or 3 times. Other companies who have more control over their supply chain will live up to their promises and these are naturally the companies you’ll want to choose.

Quality control is vital for products that will end up representing your company. It is important to find a supplier that its aware of this and will not cut corners or send you defunct goods. For instance, some USB Flash Drive suppliers cut costs by using refurbished chipsets. This is generally less reliable than brand new chipsets. Initially it may save you money, but do you want the final product you’ve given to a client to fail? This creates a poor impression of your company, and once they have discarded the USB Stick, they will no longer be carrying your companies name around with them.

Financial Stability. As with any company you may be considering entering into a financial relationship with, it is always good practice to run a credit check to make sure the company is not going to go under within a month of taking an order to supply you with your goods. In the event that it does, you are unlikely to recover any of your money back. As mentioned earlier, this is a very competitive industry and with a large amount of people involved in the industry, insolvency is not that uncommon. Should your supplier face bankruptcy, not only will you lose the money you paid them, you will also miss your deadline.

Reputation speaks volumes. If a company has delivered similar sized orders of branded USB Memory Sticks within a specified time frame on several occasions, they can probably do it again and again. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and testimonials from their existing customer base. If they have provided excellent service levels, they will not be embarrassed to share their successes.

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