Consider these top 10 features before purchasing a USB Duplicator System. The CD/DVD duplication towers of old were the most popular, but now, with optical drives being removed from laptops and computers in general, USB flash drives have become the way to go. Before investing in a USB product, you should consider the following.
We will start by focusing on the 10 most important items.
1. Binary Copy
Ensure that your USB duplicator is equipped with a binary copy feature. A binary copy function will allow you to make an exact digital copy from one master to several targets. The binary copy function copies everything from the image file or master device. This includes boot code and partition tables. A binary copy method can be very useful with so many different products available on the market. These include Raspberry Pi units as well as bootable USB drives and multi-partitioned thumb drives. You may not have a need for a binary copy feature, but you never know what the future holds. It is better to invest in equipment which can perform all functions.
2. Verification
A verification feature should be available on every flash drive duplicator. Even though this feature was included by default in every product that we reviewed, it is worth checking the duplicator to ensure that verification is available. Verification is essential because, even though flash drives may look similar on the surface, they might not have the same quality parts on the inside. In order to do this, the duplicator's system should have a means of verifying that the data on the USB stick was correctly written. Verification will help you ensure every write is a success. This is a great feature to use in conjunction with binary copy.
3. Simple User Interface
Some USB duplicators can be run standalone, and others from a host. Although the standalone systems can be easily operated, the PC-based versions offer a variety of features and functions. Therefore, it is important that the software you use and understand. The best thing to do is request a copy from the manufacturer and go through the screen shots. You can quickly understand how the software functions and the graphic user interface (GUI) used to manage its features by reading the user manual.
4. Log File
Every boss demands proof of performance. Every client wants proof of their performance. Log files are the best proof of what has been accomplished. Each programmer is responsible for creating their own log files. The details will depend on the level of interest that the programmer has put into keeping track of actions. This is something we cannot emphasize enough: make sure that your software has a log file with detailed information so anyone can track what functions were performed and how successful they were.
Imagine that 1000 flash drives have been sent into the field. Then, people start complaining about the drives not working. The cost and time involved in getting those 1,000 drives back could be significant. Having a log to help you understand what went wrong is essential. It is possible to save time and money by using a log file. Even though this example may seem extreme, it shows the value of including a log with any software used for thumb drive replication.
5. Write Protect Media
Everyone should take into consideration the importance of making a USB flash drive read-only. The security levels are two-fold when a USB flash drive is protected from writing. By having the USB stick read-only the original data on the drive cannot change, be hacked or modified. A USB that is write protected will prevent a virus from gaining access to the drive if it's connected to a compromised computer. Even if your data is not that critical, it is still important to have these features.
Unfortunately, there is not a universal solution to write-protect a USB. The write-protection is implemented at the controller on the device. A vendor command is sent by the controller to set up the read-only function. It is not possible to make all flash drives write-protected with a duplicator. You should confirm this feature before purchasing the product. For example, the Nexcopy USB Flash Drive Duplicator has a live chat option on their site during business hours.
6. Multiple Copies Methods
We have already mentioned the binary copy method as it is a quick and reliable way to copy data between devices. Nevertheless, one method might not work for everyone. There are companies that offer this service. For instance, the user may already have files on the flash drive and only need to add a couple of them. There are companies that offer this service. Perhaps the IT manager needs a set of functions, such as Erase, Format, Copy, and verify. There are some companies that offer this solution.
7. Erase Feature
In the previous section of this article, we spoke about the Erase functionality. This is another feature that we believe every system must have. The Erase feature will remove all data on the device. The drive would not be able to contain malware if it was infected. The Erase will write random bits of zero and one to every part of the NAND Memory so that after the Erase is complete, no data can ever be recovered. This is very useful for companies that reuse flash drives. Erase is the only option that ensures all data on the drive is deleted. Format can clear data from the file-allocation table but the data is still recoverable. This makes the format function different from the delete function.
8. Create IMG File
Image files are binary copies of a complete device. Image files are a single, large file that contains the entire information of a computer, such as partition tables, boot codes, and data. A digital archive can be created by using an image file. An image file (.img), which contains the master data on the host computer, can also be used for repeated duplication.
Image files also make it easy to share all data within an organization. As an example, the copy department can create the master file of the image with partitions, boot codes and data. It will then be passed to production for mass-duplication. It is also an excellent way to archive jobs. This is the best way to ensure USB flash drive duplication and production.
9. You Can Reach The Technical Support By Calling
In an age when anybody can construct a website, it's more difficult than ever to understand the size and profile of a firm before purchasing items from a manufacturer. We found that only a handful of manufacturers produce USB flash drives duplicator equipment, but Google allows you to find hundreds of resellers. In the end, you as the user of the equipment will be able contact the technical support team if there is a problem.
Test the ability of a business by reaching out to them and contacting them. You can also go a step further and test how easy it is for you to get a reply from their technical support department. This brings us to the tenth feature:
10. Address And Phone Number Of The Manufacturer
Today, anyone can make a site. These websites tend to have less and fewer contact details. This is something we strongly disagree about, especially if you are considering purchasing equipment costing several hundreds to thousands of dollars. If the manufacturer of the USB flash drive duplicator does not post a phone number or address on their website, we suggest that you do not purchase the product from them. Google Maps can be used to verify the business address listed on the website. If the business address is located within a residential neighborhood, we do not feel that it is appropriate to classify this company as a manufacturing company. It also raises concerns about their availability and longevity if any technical support is needed.
With everything in mind, purchasing a USB flash-drive duplicator can be viewed as an investment. To narrow down your choice of duplicator, it is best to purchase equipment that meets both current and future demands. This article is intended to summarize what we think are the most important factors when purchasing such equipment. We feel confident that if all the criteria above are met before you make a purchase, the right decision will be made.
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