any computer boffins about?

[no2lurch]

i am after some info please, and to be honest, its over my head as to whether its possible or how.

the company i work for plan to use USB memory sticks as a corporate giveaway and i want to know if its possible to upload each stick an auto run programe.

what i want to happen is when you plug the memory stick into your computer, it automatically tries to launch our website, and ask the user if they wish to do so. if they do, then our website will launch, but if they dont, then it will just be used as a normal memory stick.

the other thing i'd like to now is if its possible to partition a section of the memory so any user cannot delete it, which would contain the auto run programme.

any help and advice would be great please.

[sirwiggum]

My first thoughts are to do it similar to a CD drive, and use an autorun.inf

I've found a page that details the autorun.inf file to run an exe. You could create a flash exe that includes a link to the corporate URL.

http://dailycupoftech.com/usb-drive-aut ... -tweaking/


Just do it gracefully, don't be installing stuff to the users machine without their permission, a huge no-no

As for partitioning, if it is a writable flash memory stick, then I think that it uses all of the drive as a read-writable drive.

Most times I've seen files on a memory stick (company info docs, drivers, even a virus ) they've just been read-writable deletable files. Probably best to decide whether to specify to the manufacturer that you want ROMs instead of read-writable flash, or let the user decide if they want to keep your files.

You could set them as hidden files, which are less likely to be deleted. To be honest, having a usable USB pen that fires up an autorun every time you use it could get a bit annoying and eventually the user will want to delete it from the drive.

[mandelbug]

Be aware that a lot of AV programs prevent autorun on USB drives to prevent virus infection and distribution

[flyerdave]

I don't think that this would be a very good marketing idea. Companies use more and more advertising gimmicks and I know from the customers at work that many people are fed up with being bombarded with advertising.

Your company would most likely end up with a very bad image problem.

If you want to advertise in this way, find something that people will want to have and just put the company name on the outside of the product. If they are interested they will contact you.

I get a number of web design companies contacting me making false promises, their emails go straight in the bin

It is all about targeting the right people with the right product. e.g. mail drops at best have a take up rate of less than 2% - reason why so many smaller firms wast their advertising budget on expensive promotions. Always try and match your product with those that may want it, but don't be pushy.

[no2lurch]

I don't think that this would be a very good marketing idea. Companies use more and more advertising gimmicks and I know from the customers at work that many people are fed up with being bombarded with advertising.

Your company would most likely end up with a very bad image problem.

If you want to advertise in this way, find something that people will want to have and just put the company name on the outside of the product. If they are interested they will contact you.

I get a number of web design companies contacting me making false promises, their emails go straight in the bin

It is all about targeting the right people with the right product. e.g. mail drops at best have a take up rate of less than 2% - reason why so many smaller firms wast their advertising budget on expensive promotions. Always try and match your product with those that may want it, but don't be pushy.

I see your points but what we are trying to do is come up with some ideas for giveaways and something to maybe replace our corporate cd rom with. We have the usual pencils, mugs, bags etc for exhibitions but what else could we do?

Just on case you want to know, we are a specialist engineering company dealing in corrosion control products and services for industrial use- rigs, tanks, pipelines etc

[no2lurch]

Forgot to add... The sticks would be printed with our logo etc

[flyerdave]

First of all I am no marketing manager, but I am realy fed up with companies who say much but very rairly live up to what they say. It seems the larger the firm the more they think it smart to be dishonest.

I worked in the Pensions industry (Final salary scheams) for most of my working life and the lies that Insurance companies tell their customers by withholding information or hiding charges in disclaimers within the contracts. It is the reason why I would never work for an insurance company.

How about writing a letter to your potential customers asking them what they realy would like from you as a supplier and inviting them to your premises to talk with your staff or going out to them to talk about their ideas and creating the best working relationship that you can. You have to be interested in the success of their business - a mug or usb stick will never create this sort of relationship - they most likely get hundreds of these gimmacks every year - you need to show that your company will do what it says at the right price of course. Ask them what they want from you!

One very important point though - make sure you and your staff know about the products you are offering. Don't invite your customers around if the place is in a mess or your staff are unhappy with their working conditions. Sort these maters out first.

Hope you can build on some of these ideas.