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USB Keys: Toys or Tools

By: Scott Hornbuckle  |  May 21st, 2010  |  Dealers, Insights & Blogs, Programs, Sales kidwittoolbelt

Opinions vary regarding how useful USB key collection tools are. Some say they are an essential data collection method. Others are on the other side of the fence claiming they are merely toys, and many are somewhere in the middle. Let’s take a brief look into why this gap in perceptions exist.

I always like to hear the bad news first, so we’ll start with the “toy” point of view. From my experience, there are couple primary reasons that individuals tend to dismiss the USB key. One argument is that USB keys are less functional due to the fact that they cannot perform discoveries at multiple locations. This is an inherent deficiency. Another downside to the USB drive is the fact that the discovery data goes with the sales agent. MPS providers worry about potential data loss. Print Fleet has developed a solution to this problem by making a USB drive that can upload the discovery data directly to the server that manages the print fleet.

Another potential flaw is the fact that the USB key only discovers a “snap shot” of the fleet or a static view. MWAi has overcome this by making a USB key that can be left at the customers site and one can set the key to scan automatically at predetermined intervals. One of the largest faults is the inability to discover locally attached devices with the USB key. However, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a program that can discover local devices without installing software on the client’s network? Good thing Netaphor has such a tool with SiteAudit compact.

What are the benefits of using a USB key, well there fast, super easy for sales agents to use, low cost, no installation necessary, etc. In other words, there are many positives. However, they are not always the right tool for the job, and they don’t have the full functionality that other discovery methods have. What they do have though, is the fact that nothing needs to be installed. This is an issue with some IT managers even today. While they are becoming more aware of the safety measures that MPS providers have taken and are becoming more accepting, many are still very wary of the installed solutions.

So is it a toy or a tool. Well, in my opinion, to have a full MPS tool kit, one needs an option that doesn’t need to be installed. USB keys provide that. There are other options available, but only a few. It’s not a one size fits all tool, but it works for many.

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Comments

  1. Mike Huster posted at: 4:05 pm May 21, 2010

    Scott, you bring up a lot of good points that make having a USB key invaluable in doing an initial assessment. I am glad you addressed IT security because IT managers do not want to have anything on their networks that might cause them to be exposed.

  2. Greg Walters posted at: 5:09 pm May 21, 2010

    Toy.

    Been there, done that, got the rash to prove it.

    If one of the “primary” reasons for not installing software on a network is security, then your IT contact is a fool.

    If one of the “primary” reasons for not installing software is unwanted “extra network traffic” then your IT contact is a fool. How, pray-tell, are you going to facilitate a proactive service and supplies program without software?

    Local devices are a money suck and should be eliminated. If your IT contact wants you to support them, he is a fool.

    I know, I know, the IT guy at the University or County is an “expert” and saw Katie’s “…copier hard drives are bad, let’s all be scared…” segment on TV a bit back. HorsePuckie.

    I mock those copier guys(you should too) swinging their little USB’s as an assessment tool or solution. It’s worse than Dumbo’s Magic Feather(Googl-itize it).

    There.

    I said it.

    I meant it.

    I’m here to represent it.