How to Choose the Right USB Flash Drive Duplicator
The optical drive is disappearing in laptops and computers and as a result, the USB flash drive, or thumb drive, is the ideal tool for sharing data in the year 2022. The USB flash drive is a small, easily transportable device which holds vast amount of data storage capacity. Flash drives are universal devices used in Windows computers, Apple computers, Linux computers, Smart TVs, car stereos and any other device which has a USB port. The universal acceptance of the USB flash drive in conjunction with the optical drive disappearing explains their continued popularity.
Considering the lack of optical drives found in new computers the USB is replacing the CD-R for duplication needs. In fact, some companies require the use of many flash drives but with different information on each thumb drive, also known as data publishing. There are duplicators for each type of situation and this USB flash drive duplicator guide will help determine which type of USB copier is best for your needs.
Coping USB sticks manually one at a time will is a time consuming and expensive process. Using a USB flash drive duplicator (also called a USB copier) increases efficiency and decreases costs.
Two Categories of USB Flash Drive Duplicators
PC Based USB Duplicators
Standalone USB Duplicators
PC based or computer connected USB duplicators
Using the processing power of a computer, the PC based USB duplicators are the next step over making one-off copies manually. The PC based duplicators are typically a bit less expensive than standalone systems because part of the expense of building a standalone USB duplicator (the processor) is already included with the host PC.
Computer based systems provide more control over USB duplication because the GUI software (Graphical User Interface) provide alternative ways to access the source data. For example, copying data from a sourcing folder on the host computer, from a physical flash drive connected to the computer, or from a digital master from the computer hard drive.
Lake Forest, CA – December 31, 2021 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced flash memory solutions, releases a free utility to easily eject USB flash drives from Windows with a single click, or eject USB flash drives from the command line from within Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft is a leading partner with the USB Implementers Forum, the regulator agency which oversees the USB specification. The USB-IF spends a great deal of time promoting the technology as the preferred technology for plug-and-play connectivity of storage devices and interface devices (keyboards, printers, etc).
USB is the number one method users connect storage devices to the Windows operating system; however, Microsoft does not provide a quick and easy method to disconnect these storage devices from Windows.
Nexcopy Incorporated, a world leader in USB flash drive duplicator systems and other memory storage systems released a free utility to quickly eject USB flash drives from any Windows operating system.
The free tool does not require installation, does not require Admin rights to run, and is free to use and re-distribute to an unlimited number of computers. The free utility is called USB Eject Button.
The USB Eject Button may also be used to eject USB flash drives from the command line from within Windows.
“Microsoft provides a software tool called DiskPart to deal with and control storage devices,” comments Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy, “however, the DiskPart tool is not user friendly and too advanced for the common computer user. Nexcopy wanted to solve this simple, yet common problem of quickly and easily ejecting USB flash drives from Windows – we accomplished our goal with the free USB Eject Button application.”
Morris continues, “Since 2021 was a difficult year for so many, we decided to do something nice in our own special way, and create this utility and provide it for free to the USB flash drive market. Nexcopy created the USB Eject Button in mid December and wanted to release it for the new year. I guess this is our way of bringing some good-will to the public.”
The USB Eject Button is available via the download link below.
Lake Forest, CA – July 19, 2021 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced flash memory solutions, introduces Disc License CD-ROM flash drives.
Disc License flash drives provide a migration path for those who depend on optical media such as CD and DVD but can no longer offer the product because optical drives are nearly gone in standard laptop and desktop computers.
The Disc License product is a USB flash drive which appears as a CD-ROM device when connected to a host computer. This is a hardware solution which emulates a CD-ROM and is read-only (write protected) meaning data on the drive cannot be changed, manipulated, deleted or formatted off the drive. This is the best method to create a USB CD-ROM flash drive.
“Think of a Disc License drive as a blank CD or DVD,” states Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy. “The blank CD-ROM will have the capacity of whatever the Gigabyte capacity the customer orders. Simply point our software to any ISO file and the data will be written with the resultant drive being that of a CD-ROM.”
Morris continues, “What is so elegant about this solution is being able to re-write an ISO file to the device at any time. In an abstract sense, you could say this is a CD-RW solution, but in the shape of a USB flash drive.”
With the optical drive quickly going away, users are seeking alternate solutions to provide data as a CD-ROM device. There are many advantages to CD-ROM discs which have served the technology sector for many years. The auto-run function of CD-ROM is key to many software suppliers who depend on a quick and simple installation process. The CD is a read-only device by definition so the added benefit of a virus or malware not jumping onto the flash drive is an inherent benefit.
Press Release: Global Technologies Group Authorized Nexcopy Reseller Status
GTGI, Inc. is a woman-owned systems integrator based in Arlington, Virginia that provides workflow solutions, software and services to manage, secure and distribute digital content for federal, medical devices, pharma, law enforcement, defense, financial, and video distribution markets. A critical component to all GTGI customer solutions is the distribution of digital content. Adding the Nexcopy product line will allow forward thinking transitions for those using optical media and looking to migrate to solid state and flash memory solutions.
“GTGI is very excited to introduce Nexcopy solutions to the GTGI customer base,” says Jennifer Cerda, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Operations. “Given our strong relationships with customers, we are keen on addressing the needs they share with us. Particularly about solving challenges related to optical media production and distribution. Having a partner such as Nexcopy will help us support customers as they transition from optical to solid state and flash memory solutions.”
Stan McCrosky, Sales Manager, followed up with, “Coming from the disc publishing industry, we have seen the trend shifting away from optical media to flash memory over the past three years. The main reason for such a shift, is the lack of optical drives found in current laptops and desktops.” McCrosky continues, “The advanced functions for USB memory, which Nexcopy has developed, directly serves the needs of those in defense, medical and law enforcement vertical markets. Global Technologies Group is a great partner to start knocking on those doors.”
For more details please contact:
Global Technologies Group
222 N. Oakland Street
Arlington, VA 22203
1-703-486-0500
Sales(at)gtgi.com https://www.gtgi.com
Lake Forest, CA – October 19, 2020 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer and developer of flash memory duplicators, introduces the USB write protect Lock License flash drive.
Nexcopy turns the market on it’s head with the Lock License flash drive. A flash drive which is by default a read-only or write protected device. The device will accept a user password to unlock the drive through Nexcopy’s Lock License utility software. This new approach gives the power back to the user for when a USB is a writable device.
“The fundamental change towards how our flash drive works should draw attention for those looking for read-only USB flash drives” says Greg Morris, CEO of Nexcopy Inc. “What is unique about the Lock License approach is whenever power is cut to the device, for example disconnection, the USB is automatically write protected. This is the strongest first line defense against malicious software or virus jumping onto a flash drive without the user knowing. It is impossible to infect a USB drive if the device is write protected.”
Lock License flash drives require a password upon first use. This password is used to unlock the write protection and make the USB a read/write device. This feature provides a personalized solution for each business which uses the Lock License technology. There is no need to set the write protection after being unlocked because simply cutting power to the device will put the USB into its default state: a read-only device.
Default state of drive is read-only, a.k.a write protected
User assigned password to remove write protection
No password is required to read from the drive, acts as normal WORM device
Graphical User Interface (GUI) to set password and remove write protection
Command line utility for custom integration to remove write protection
No back door password or feature from Nexcopy to unlock the drive
Available in USB 2.0 and 3.0 technology and ranging from 2GB through 128GB capacities
Stan McCrosky, head of Sales, comments, “System Control manufacturers for waterworks, electrical utility and petroleum companies need a solution like this. The ability to load software or firmware to a hardware based USB read-only device gives system control companies an incredible amount of security for in-field deployment via USB. More importantly, the command line utility gives the manufacturers a secure way to unlock the drive and update the content remotely without the worry of the drive remaining read/write. It’s simply impossible for the drive to remain writable.” McCrosky concludes.
The Lock License USB flash drive is simple to implement. Steps include:
Connect USB to a Windows computer
Open either GUI or command line utility to remove write protection
Assign a password to be used when removing the write protection
Data load the drive as needed
Eject drive from computer once copy process is complete
At this point the USB is write protected at the hardware controller level
The Lock License drive can be read (used) by any device on any platform
Password not required to read data from the drive
Password is only used when removing write protection to make the USB read/write
Nexcopy Lock License media is available in USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 technology and range it capacity from 2GB through 128GB. Nexcopy offers six body styles for the Lock License media with a wide range of body colors available for each stye, all available for custom branding. The six body styles include Oxford; a capless swivel style drive. Newport; a classic rectangular shape with cap. Lexington; a classic rectangular style with rounded edges and cap. Augusta; a shorter style drive with large lanyard loop. Huntington and Geneva which uses an aluminum body for more durability and also better suited for laser etch branding.
The Oxford style swivel drive is the in stock media Nexcopy carries for same day printing and shipping. Nexcopy inventories USB 2.0 media of 2GB and 4GB capacity and in stock USB 3.0 media of 8GB, 16GB, 32Gb, 64GB and 128GB capacities. The in stock Oxford media is a black body with white swivel clip with full color printing via the Nexcopy Logo-EZ USB flash drive printer.
The Lock License utility is available for download off the Nexcopy support page. The utility requires a Nexcopy licensed USB flash drive. The Lock License USB write protection is not a universal solution for any thumb drive, a Nexcopy drive is required in order to take advantage of the increased security the technology offers.
Lock License flash drives by Nexcopy are drives where the user can set the write protection after their data load. This puts the USB into a read-only state. When the USB is read-only the files on the drive cannot be changed, manipulated, deleted or formatted off the drive. The write protection features is a hardware solution and set at the controller level of the device.
Lock License refers to a license Nexcopy puts on the drive to be compatible with our utility to lock and unlock the drive.
Nexcopy offers two software solutions to set the write protection to Lock License drives. Nexcopy offers a GUI (Graphical User Interface) utility to set the state of the drive. In addition, a command line tool is also available to set the write protection. The command line tool allows the user to wrap the write protection step into their own workflow process.
In addition, the Lock License technology gives the user the ability to unlock the drive, make updates or changes to the device, and relock the drive to make it read-only.
The user may perform the locking by either the GUI utility or command line utility. The above technology was made available and released in the spring of 2013.
Security Issue:
Nexcopy Lock License drives have been a tremendous success since its release. However, the solution has a security issue in that only one tool, or method, is used for all customers to lock and unlock drives. Said another way; any one user with our utility could unlock a Lock License drive from any other user. With the upcoming release, this security issue is resolved.
The Upgrade:
The upgrade consists of two elements. The first element is a fundamental change in how the technology works. Starting October 1, 2020 all Lock License drives default to a read-only or write protected state. Whenever power is given to the device the drive is read-only. The second element to the October 1st upgrade is a required password to remove the write protection of the drive. First time use of the drive will require the operator to set and enter a password. From that point forward, only the password will remove the write protection for that specific drive. Note: The drive is always read-able and no password is required to read data from the Lock License flash drive. The password is only related to making the drive a writable device.
GUI Screen Shots
Command Line Screen Shot
Each Lock License drive in the field since its inception (2013) will have the ability to programmatically upgrade to this more secure solution. The GUI and command line tool have automatic upgrade features to update any previous version of a Lock License drive. This upgrade is required for all Lock License drives as the previous technology, due to security issues, will no longer be available by Nexcopy. GUI and command line tool version 2.0.6 or higher will be required to operate Lock License drives.
Lake Forest, CA – November 20, 2019 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer and developer of flash memory duplicators, introduces the USB104SA, a 4 target standalone USB Duplicator specifically design to be light weight and portable.
“With the lack of optical drives in computers and laptop, the USB stick continues to grow in popularity,” reports Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy. “What we have seen is a demand for both small configuration systems for those transitioning from optical media to USB media and large production systems which we’ve serviced for years. The USB104SA is a great stepping stone for those coming from the optical duplication industry.”
The USB104SA USB Duplicator has a list of features which pivot from the larger, award winning, Nexcopy standalone duplicators. Features include:
Asynchronous copy mode, all the time
Binary copier will copy any format; FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS, Ext2,3,4, Proprietary
Binary CRC verification algorithm
Quick Erase and Ful Erase for disk sanitization
Four language modes in LCD menu
USB speed benchmark utility
Firmware upgradeable
Stan McCrosky, head of Sales, comments, “What we have seen, are small organizations and business requesting something low cost and low volume for data duplication. Our main focus is still business-to-business, but the growing demand for low volume duplication equipment justified the development of a product like the USB104SA.”
The USB104SA is a portable solution and ideal for trade shows or spoken word events. The unit weighs less than one pound and with a foot print of about six inches by one inch tall. The unit can easily fit into your computer bag, which is ideal for carry-on luggage at the airport.
The USB duplicator is powered by a microUSB cable which can be connected to your computer laptop USB port. A USB block is also provided for powering from an outlet.
“What I like about this unit is the feature rich firmware. We did not compromise on the firmware settings and offer less. We offer the same functionality as our larger standalone USB duplicator models.” Morris continues,
Lake Forest, CA – June 20, 2019 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer and developer of flash memory duplicators, introduces the USB-C400PC, a 40 target USB-C or USB 3.1 Duplicator specifically design for USB Type C flash memory drives.
Last month Nexcopy Inc. introduced the first 20 target USB-C duplicator. Building on that technology, Nexcopy finished the software and hardware requirements for a larger, 40 target duplication system.
The USB-C400PC Duplicator has a list of features which pivot from the award winning Nexcopy Drive Manager software. Features include:
Six copy modes
Binary copy mode supports all formats; HFS, Ext2,3,4, Proprietary
Unique data streaming to each USB-C socket
Binary verification
Erase and D.o.D. Erase for disk sanitization
Data collection to extract files off USB-C devices
Intuitive and informative Drive Manager software
Upgradeable to PRO Series for USB-C write protection
Upgradeable to PRO Series for USB-C partitioning
Stan McCrosky, head of Sales, comments, “Although USB-C flash drives are not main stream, we continue to get questions about duplication equipment for that memory type. I am excited to announce this larger 40 target system. The USB-C connector on flash memory will be slow and steady in the years ahead, and Nexcopy, USB Duplicatoris ready for that demand.”
May 23,
2019 Nexcopy Inc officially launches their first USB-C duplicator system.
Stan
McCrosky, head of Sales, comments, “Developing this niche product is important
for the growing demand of USB-C flash drive duplication. Optical drives are all but gone, especially
in laptops, and Nexcopy is seeing a trend from traditional USB to USB Type C
sockets in disk duplication vertical markets.”
The USB-C Duplicator has a list of features which pivot from the award winning Nexcopy Drive Manager software. Features include:
Six copy modes
Binary copy mode supports all
formats; HFS, Ext2,3,4, Proprietary
Unique data streaming to each USB-C
socket
Binary verification
Erase and D.o.D. Erase for disk
sanitization
Data collection to extract files off
USB-C devices
Intuitive and informative Drive
Manager software
Upgradeable to PRO Series for USB-C
write protection
Upgradeable to PRO Series for USB-C
partitioning
“Apple computers and Iot,
or Internet Of Things, are driving the force behind the increased demand for
USB-C flash drive consumption. Although
the internet is great for many data sharing applications, there is still a great
need for data dissemination off line.
USB is still the definitive choice among users to share data via flash
memory,” states Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy.
The official press release by EIN Newswire was picked up by The Boston Harold. The complete press release may be found on The Boston Harold website.
Lake Forest, CA – February 7, 2019 – From EIN News– Nexcopy Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of flash memory duplicators, flash drive printers and advanced function flash memory drives. Since March of 2004, Nexcopy products have been available through a world-wide network of authorized resellers. However, with the increased demand for buying product on-line, Nexcopy has taken the necessary steps to make our products available via ecommerce retail channels.
Greg Morris, CEO of Nexcopy, comments, “We are a solutions driven company who take pride in making sure our customers get the right equipment for their application. With the increased demand of flash memory devices as a tool for dissemination of information, many Nexcopy clients are needing to expand their production needs. By providing an on-line purchase mechanism, the process to acquire additional Nexcopy gear is quick and easy.”
Morris continues, “It’s important to understand, with optical drives all but gone in computers and laptops, flash memory is the product of choice in today’s market to share and spread information. This shift in computer hardware is having a direct impact on the demand for Nexcopy equipment.”
Nexcopy USB duplicator systems, Secure Digital (SD), microSD and Compact Flash (CF), are available through a network of on-line ecommerce retailers. The ecommerce websites which list Nexcopy equipment are house-hold names with trusted purchasing experiences. These on-line retailers include: Amazon, WalMart, Kmart, NewEgg and Rakuten.
Morris concludes, “We still encourage clients to contact Nexcopy through phone, email or our on-line instant chat with any questions they may have before purchase. We are a U.S. company, based in Southern California, with a reputation for being knowledgeable and experienced. We are happy to spread the wealth on what we know. On-line purchasing simply makes the acquisition process, painless.”
