| For many companies an investment in branded flash | | | | and you supplier gets the data to their factory in China. |
| drives for self-promotion is "OK" in so far as it goes. | | | | Small files can be emailed or FTP'd but very large files |
| The benefits of giving away memory sticks with your | | | | may need to be supplied on a CD or DVD and then |
| logo or brand printed on them and then giving them | | | | sent by carrier to the factory. This adds to the time |
| away are well known but does it make sense to give | | | | you need to allow for branded memory sticks to be |
| them away without making use of the data storage | | | | produced |
| capacity that is an inherent part of the stick? | | | | Something else to consider is whether any of the files |
| More and more companies are pre-loading data on | | | | you pre-load onto the sticks should run automatically |
| their promotional sticks because it's a great way to | | | | when the USB stick used. This can be a great way of |
| cheaply and easily distribute large amounts of sales | | | | launching an application, presentation slides or movie |
| and marketing material. Lets face it if you've | | | | files. It really will ensure that the user of the flash drive |
| purchased memory sticks as a give-away it makes no | | | | not only sees, but also is forced to interact with your |
| sense to print, transport and distribute loads of physical | | | | content. Before you commit to the use of auto run |
| sales brochures, press releases, copies of slides etc. | | | | files there are some important things to consider: |
| Load them onto the memory stick. Pre-loading data | | | | 1) Autorun files have to be loaded onto the flash drives |
| makes economic and environmental sense and the | | | | during the manufacturing process. |
| more you load onto the stick the better the cost | | | | 2) Autorun files cannot be deleted by the user. |
| benefit case to purchase the memory stick will be. | | | | 3) Autorun files can be considered "intrusive" and |
| Pre-loading data does call for you to be organised. The | | | | "annoying" because they get in the way of the general |
| cheapest way to get the data loaded onto the stick is | | | | day-to-day use of the memory stick. Remember they |
| during the manufacturing process but this means your | | | | the autorun application will have to load and launch |
| data will need to be ready around the time your place | | | | every time the stick is used and this can put people |
| your order with your supplier. If you can't get your data | | | | off using the memory stick to save and carry their |
| ready in time (and sometimes you're going to be reliant | | | | own data on. |
| on 3rd parties, particularly if you're pre-loading speaker | | | | 4) If used on company network the autorun might not |
| notes for a conference) then don't despair. It is possible | | | | work because some companies don't allow autorun |
| to pre-load the data after manufacture just expect to | | | | files (executables) to run on PC's attached to their |
| pay a little more for it to be done. | | | | network. |
| The maximum amount of data you pre-load is limited | | | | 5) If an autorun file is only suitable for Win PC's (XP, |
| by the amount of storage space on the memory | | | | VISTA, Seven etc.) then the content may not run on a |
| sticks you're buying. So if you are buying 1GB sticks | | | | Mac - thorough testing is advised. |
| you could load up to around 950MB of data. You won't | | | | So in summary, branded memory sticks are a great |
| have access to the full 1GB because memory sticks | | | | promotional product, pre-loading data on the stick is an |
| need some space to create the file structures and | | | | excellent and cost effective idea and in some |
| data tables for the data you're loading. | | | | circumstance autoruns add value but use them |
| There are also practical considerations to consider as | | | | sparingly and be aware of the potential issues. |
| well including how you get the data to your supplier | | | | |