Delkin Blog

Details on eMMC Functionality and Partitioning

  Embedded multi-media controllers, or eMMCs, are embedded systems that contain a flash memory controller and flash memory on the same die. They are used in mobile devices, laptop computers, and more. eMMCs are similar to solid-state drives, or SSDs, but they are not exactly the same.   When using eMMC, hosts can set up a maximum of four General Purpose Area Partitions. Each of these partitions can have its own attributes. The partitions can be set as General, Enhanced (with pSLC...
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Industrial CF Cards in Thermostats for Food Grade Freezers

  Food grade freezers have to meet high safety standards to ensure that the foods they hold are consistently kept at the appropriate temperature. This is dependent on a properly functioning digital thermostat that retains accurate temperature data using an industrial Flash storage device. Any kind of failure of a food grade freezer can have serious implications, from the economic burden of losing food that has spoiled to the potential for triggering cases of food poisoning in food that has...
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What Is Solid State Flash Storage?

  Solid state flash storage is a version of data storage used in SSDs. SSD stands for solid state drive, and is a drive format that is a popular alternative to HDDs, or hard disk drives. Flash storage was named for its incredible speeds—it performs operations in a flash. Solid state flash stores data on memory cells that can be accessed quickly and easily. Are you considering solid state flash storage? Here is what you need to know.   Flash storage is...
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Industrial SD Card Price Considerations

  For engineers and designers who are looking for industrial storage, price considerations always come into play. Industrial SD cards are popular with designers and engineers in many different industries, thanks to their reliability and ease of integration. Of course, price considerations factor into every project, so it’s important to understand what to expect. Here is what you need to know when it comes to industrial SD card price considerations.   SLC vs. MLC When you’re shopping for an industrial SD card, one...
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FAQs about Flash Based Memory

  If you’re considering data storage options for your application, then you have certainly encountered the term “flash based memory.” Flash memory is a form of non-volatile memory that is used in a huge variety of consumer and industrial grade applications. There are several reasons why designers and engineers have embraced flash memory as a cornerstone of their device designs. Chances are that you have some questions about what exactly flash memory is and why it is so popular. Here...
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Finding the Right Memory Solution for Your Industrial Application

  When it comes to finding memory for an industrial application, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. There are several different memory solutions available, and of course, it is important to find one that meets the specific needs of industrial users. This means choosing memory that can deliver the capacity, speed, and data security needed for industrial applications, even when used in rugged operating conditions. This information will help you make the right choice.   NAND Flash Memory The memory...
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What Is a High Endurance SD Card?

  SD cards are used across many different applications, but they are particularly popular in applications that require video recording. SD cards are designed to hold large numbers of high-quality images with strong data protection capabilities for reliable performance and playback.   High endurance SD cards take this ability to new levels in order to provide storage of high-quality, HD video footage in some of today’s most popular devices. This includes home security cameras and dashboard cameras used by law enforcement. High...
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SSD Utility Basics Explained

  SSD Utility is an integrated management software program found in some solid state drives, or SSDs. It helps to manage the performance of the drive and monitor the drive for signs of problems that could affect operations or cause the drive to fail. It also allows users to make adjustments as needed to the SSD, so that the drive lasts for as long as possible. SSD Utility is not the only such program to offer these services. For most...
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3D MLC NAND Flash Explained

  Flash memory is a widely used technology that utilizes an electronic transistor to program data based on different voltages. One of the reasons why flash memory is so popular is because it is a non-volatile form of storage. This means that data are retained even when there is no power. Despite its popularity, however, there is a challenge with flash memory. Devices that require flash memory are getting smaller, but their need for data storage is increasing. With flash...
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Answers to Common Questions about SSD mSATA

  SSD mSATA designs are widely used in portable devices in which space is at a premium and standard SSDs will not fit. About the size of a business card, mSATA SSDs are small in size and have low power consumption. These features make them ideal for laptops, netbooks, tablets, and more. An SSD mSATA will feature the same speeds and other specifications you would expect from a SATA interface. Could SSD mSATA be the drive option you need? Here...
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Get the Facts about Flash SSD Drive Options

  A flash SSD drive is the standard form of storage used in most consumer and industrial applications. These drives have long outpaced hard disk drives, or HDDs, which were once considered the gold standard for embedded memory systems. This shift has taken place due to the better endurance and speed of SSDs. SSDs, or solid state drives, with flash memory are also more tolerant of extreme operating conditions, allowing them to be used in industrial applications without the same...
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3D NAND vs. MLC

  For NAND Flash-based SSDs, or solid state drives, there is a constant push to fit an increasing amount of storage in a decreasing amount of space. As devices become smaller and smaller, SSDs have to fit these confined form factors. At the same time that devices are getting smaller, they are also getting more powerful, and they need increased storage. MLC (multi-level cell) flash is one option that engineers and developers rely on to increase data storage, but there...
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Spotlight on Conformal Coating Benefits

  Circuit boards, memory cards, SSDs, and other components of electronic devices are subject to exposure to damaging environmental conditions that could disrupt how they work or even cause a device failure. One way in which manufacturers of these components protect them is with conformal coating. There are many conformal coating benefits to consider if you are trying to decide if it is an appropriate customization for your memory cards and other systems. Here is what you need to know.   Conformal...
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Comparing the mSATA vs. SATA Connector

  If you’re shopping for a solid state drive, or SSD, then you have probably encountered mSATA and SATA connectors. Both of these act as interfaces between a storage device and the motherboard of a system. SATA has long been the gold standard for connectivity for all kinds of drives, including SSDs. Although other connectors have since entered the market, including PCIe and NVMe, SATA is still hugely popular and important. However, there are differences between SATA and mSATA. Here...
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What Are the Features of Slim SATA?

  In order to accommodate devices that are increasingly thin, the Slim SATA design was introduced to the marketplace. Slim SATA offers the reliability of SATA but in a thin design, so it can easily be used in mobile phones and other thin devices. With Slim SATA, power and data are combined in a single connector, with a seven pin data and six pin power configuration. Could Slim SATA be the solution for your small device, even if you have...
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How Is Industrial microSD Used in Clinical Diagnostics Applications?

  Clinical diagnostics are critical to meeting patient needs. Without the appropriate diagnostics, providers will not be able to establish an effective treatment plan and manage patient care. Diagnostics involve managing a large amount of data accurately and may also call for the storage of large image files. For these reasons, it is essential that all devices that are used for diagnostics have an adequate embedded storage system. This is why industrial microSD cards are so frequently used in clinical...
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SSD NAND Flash- Wear Leveling and Maximizing SSD Life

  This paper will describe NAND Flash life as used in Solid State Storage Devices.   SOLID STATE STORAGE These Devices consist of Disk Drives, Compact Flash Cards, SD/MMC cards, USB sticks and custom storage modules. Aside from differing host interfaces, all these devices share common items:Multiple NAND Flash devices NAND Flash Controller with Firmware Support Circuitry  NAND FLASH CONTROLLER These are ASIC devices generally containing, at a minimum:CPU with ROM BIOS Ram Memory Flash Bus Interface (single or multiple channel) Application specific host interface (USB, SATA, PATA, PCI Express, SD,...
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Technical Success Story: SMART Technology Helped Customer Manage Constant P/E Cycles

  OEMs often find themselves in a situation in which they need to balance price and reliability. In some cases, using an industrial grade SLC flash memory card may not be the appropriate option for a low-cost application. However, does this mean that failures are just to be expected when using consumer grade flash storage in applications with constant P/E cycles? Delkin helped a customer facing this question find a solution.   Customer Story This customer was used to experiencing SD card failure...
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SSD Wear Leveling Count Explained

  Solid-state drives (SSDs) that have flash memory have a finite lifespan. The length of time that an SSD will last depends on several different factors, including the grade of the flash that is used. SLC, or single-level cell, flash memory has the longest lifespan, followed by MLC (multi-level cell) flash. Only write operations contribute to the reduction in available program cycles. Read operations do not affect the lifespan of the device.   Although SSDs have long lives, it is still important...
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Aerospace Applications Embedded Systems

  There is a long list of aerospace applications embedded systems, and the list is consistently getting longer. Some aircraft have embedded systems at work from tip to tail, while others are using embedded systems in very specific ways. In each case, no matter how the aerospace applications embedded systems are being used, they have to be designed to withstand extreme conditions without any kind of loss of function. Some embedded systems perform critical functions that are responsible for passenger...
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FAQs about Embedded Products

  Embedded products play a central role in commercial and industrial applications in a large number of industries. From planes with in-flight entertainment systems to machinery in production plants, embedded products are everywhere. However, many people don’t understand what exactly embedded products are or how they are used. Here are the answers to some common questions about embedded products.   What exactly is an embedded product? Embedded products refer to embedded systems. These systems are incorporated into larger operating systems. They perform specific...
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Flash Memory in Industrial Applications

  Industrial applications require the highest available levels of data security and memory operations. Because these applications are often on the front lines of critical systems in industries as diverse as healthcare and aerospace, there is no room for error or unpredictability. For most designers and engineers, the choice is clear: flash memory. Flash memory has replaced hard disk drive-based memory in most consumer and industrial applications for many reasons, but when it is used for industrial purposes, the flash...
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Understanding Product Reliability Specification and Performance Factors

  When it comes to products that contain flash memory, a concern that is often present in the minds of OEMs and engineers is the reliability of the memory and its ability to meet certain product reliability specifications of the host device. There were initial concerns about NAND flash when it was introduced to the market, but it has since been recognized and embraced across industrial and consumer markets alike for its high performance and superior reliability. Here is what...
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Finding the Right Automotive Memory Solution

  Embedded memory solutions are gaining in importance in the automotive industry. As cars become increasingly advanced and reliant on technology, embedded memory is becoming more and more critical to ensuring that all of the internal components function as expected—all within a constrained space and rugged operating conditions. For this reason, industrial embedded memory cards are playing a central role in auto innovation, and a reliable memory solution is becoming as key to a quality automobile as horsepower. Take a...
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Facts about Flash Memory Durability

  From flash drives to embedded flash storage, one of the leading questions that people have when they consider using flash memory is how long it will last. Flash memory durability used to be a major concern, but endurance has increased dramatically in recent years and continues to improve. In terms of durability, flash memory outperforms many other solutions—and when combined with the other benefits of flash memory, it is the clear winner for many commercial and industrial devices. These...
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Rugged USB Drives Explained

  USB drives are among the most widely used and recognized storage devices on the market. They allow consumers and industrial users alike to have powerful, portable storage that is universally compatible. For industrial users, however, it’s important to choose the right kind of USB drive. Many industrial applications rely on embedded storage for its ruggedness, but rugged USB drives are also available. For users who need a rugged USB drive, industrial grade products are essential. If you are in...
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Answering Questions about Compact Flash Memory Cards

  Compact Flash memory cards, also called CompactFlash, have a long history of providing reliable storage for both consumer and industrial markets. The format was first introduced in 1994 to provide an option for storage that was small in size and easy to integrate. Since their introduction, CompactFlash memory cards have undergone a series of redesigns in order to keep up with changing technologies. The standards are set by the CompactFlash Association, or CFA, so that everyone who buys the...
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Power Applications Embedded Systems: What You Need to Know

  Embedded systems used in power applications cannot risk being unreliable. Whether the power supply is for a specific building or device, or provides power to an entire community, failure can have significant implications. For this reason, when it comes to power applications and embedded systems, choosing a solution that is appropriately reliable matters. Most power suppliers depend on industrial grade embedded systems to deliver the reliability in rugged operating conditions that they need. This is the information that everyone...
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Understanding Industrial Embedded Systems

  Industrial embedded systems are used in a variety of critical devices and applications. They can be used for booting, machine control, and memory. Because these embedded systems are industrial grade, they are designed to tolerate the extreme operating conditions of industrial environments. You can find them in everything from machines in manufacturing settings to airplanes and medical devices. The following information will help you gain a better understanding of embedded systems.   What exactly is an industrial embedded system? Embedded systems feature...
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Answering Questions on Embedded Multi-Media Controller, or eMMC

  Embedded multi-media controller, or eMMC, is a simple, low-power storage solution that contains three components in one. Although eMMC is largely the domain of smartphones and lower-end laptops, many industrial users also rely on it for storage of their application software or operating system, or to log key data. When designed in an industrial grade format, eMMC features the extended temperature ranges you would expect from storage that is used in demanding operating conditions. As OEMs and engineers consider...
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Features of 128GB mSATA

  If you need a solid state drive (SSD) with a small form factor, then mSATA could be the solution for you. This mini version of the popular SATA SSD is designed for use in devices in which space is at a premium, such as netbooks and tablets. With a 128GB mSATA, you don’t have to compromise storage capacity simply because you need a smaller form factor. Instead, mSATA meets the growing need for large amounts of storage in ever-smaller...
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FAQs about Rugged USB Flash Drive Technology

  USB flash drives are among the most familiar and widely used forms of storage available. They can be found in their popular removable format or as embedded drives called eUSB. A rugged USB flash drive goes beyond consumer formats to provide strong, reliable storage appropriate for industrial applications. If you are looking for a rugged USB flash drive to use with your industrial device, here are the answers to some of the questions that are likely to be on...
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A Look at Secure Digital Card Specifications

  Secure Digital card specifications are set by the Secure Digital Association. This is done to ensure that there is a shared standard used across all cards that carry the Secure Digital (SD) name. Secure Digital card specifications allow OEMs and engineers to know exactly what they are getting when they use an SD card in a device, regardless of who the supplier is. The exact specifications of the cards vary depending on the type of SD card. Here is...
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What Is a NAND Technology SSD?

  In years past, the only drive industrial users and consumers wanted to see in their devices was a hard disk drive, or HDD. Today, you would be hard pressed to find an industrial application that doesn’t feature a solid state drive, or SSD. SSDs were initially considered too expensive for wide use when they were introduced to the market, but now, they are a standard choice for reliable storage. A major reason why SSDs are so popular is NAND...
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What Are the Benefits of Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology?

  Self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology, or SMART, allows users to monitor the operations of their drives and spot signs of problems before they cause complete system failures. The use of SMART in solid state drives (SSDs) for industrial applications is especially important because of the mission-critical data storage and operations these drives execute. With SMART, when there is an error in drive operation, the BIOS—basic input/output system—receives information about the error and, when appropriate, alerts the user so that...
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What Is a Rugged Solid State Drive?

  Solid state drives, or SSDs, have revolutionized data storage. Although hard disk drives (HDDs) used to be the gold standard in drive storage, today, SSDs are ubiquitous. You can find SSDs in commercial and industrial grade applications, though the types of drives used in each setting are often different. Rugged solid state drives are the type used in industrial devices. These industrial applications require the highest available level of data protection, plus fast read and write capabilities. Here is...
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Comparing M.2 SATA vs. mSATA

  M.2 SATA and mSATA are both popular in small, thin devices that require board-level storage solutions. M.2 is a follow-up to mSATA, though mSATA is still in use across a huge range of devices. Both of these drives do essentially the same tasks, but they are not interchangeable, so you can’t simply swap one for the other. Here is a look M.2 SATA vs. mSATA drives.   SSD 101 When comparing M.2 SATA vs. mSATA, you may notice that they are both...
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Choosing the Best Industrial SD Card

  Industrial SD cards are popular with OEMs and designers because of their broad compatibility and standardized format. They are lightweight and small, yet powerful. This makes them a perfect fit for modern devices that are getting smaller while increasing their need for robust storage. When choosing an industrial SD card, it’s important to get the right one for your specific application. The following tips will help you choose the best industrial SD card.   Make Sure You’re Getting an Industrial Card There...
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The Use of Commercial MLC SD Cards in Battery Management Systems (BMS)

  General This paper will describe the use of SD Cards in Battery Management Systems (BMS). This is not intended to be a thorough tutorial on BMS.   Battery Management (BM) One might ask, why do batteries need BM? That is a valid question. With the advent of Lithium Ion Batteries, used in industrial applications from portable electronics, to automotive, are becoming a very strict requirement. There are a number of reasons for this, from safety (Literally protecting from catastrophic events) and product endurance...
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Sound control equipment. Board detail. Decay buttons. Broadcast technology

Industrial CF Cards Used in Broadcast Equipment and Drive Recorders

  Industrial CF cards provide powerful storage in a familiar and highly compatible format. CF cards have long been a popular storage tool in digital cameras for consumer users, and the capacity and ease of use they provide have made them popular in industrial applications as well. For example, you will find these storage cards being used in a variety of applications, from infotainment and gaming to embedded computing. They are particularly popular in broadcast equipment and drive recorders. Here...
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Technical Success Story: Avoiding Failures in the Field with a Controlled BOM

  Background: A customer contacted Delkin when the SD cards he had been purchasing from the same supplier for years suddenly stopped working. The customer didn’t understand why the cards were now a problem, but he was frustrated since the issues were interfering with his work.   Customer Story: The customer explained that his company had been ordering SD cards from a well-recognized national supplier for years without any problems. They had specifically chosen this SD card after trying several commercially available...
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Benefits of Secure Erase Flash Storage Technology

  Industrial applications frequently store data that are sensitive and require careful management. When it is time to erase that data and discard the storage device, standard erase functions may not be sufficient. Secure erase flash storage technology ensures that sensitive information is actually erased completely from your device’s flash memory, so you won’t have any concerns about what is happening to your private or classified data after you get rid of a drive. Here is what you need to...
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Focus on Extended Temperature SLC Storage

  Extended temperature SLC storage is in high demand by industrial users who need the most reliable storage options available, even in conditions with extreme temperatures. With extended temperature ranges, SLC storage can be used in industrial applications like transportation and automation, where operating conditions cause temperatures to rise and fall dramatically or to fluctuate rapidly. This kind of storage also has additional benefits beyond its tolerance of extreme temperature conditions that make it appropriate for industrial applications.   What is extended...
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FAQs about Commercial Grade Storage

Software Programming Web Development Concept   If you are searching for embedded flash storage solutions, then there is a good chance that you have encountered terms like industrial grade and commercial grade. Both of these kinds of flash storage are reliable and widely used, but they are not interchangeable. Each is appropriate for specific kinds of applications, and choosing the right one for your device is critical to getting the right level of data protection for your design. OEMs and designers...
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Taking a Closer Look at the Industrial PCMCIA Card

  Industrial PCMCIA cards are not as common as they once were, but they can still be found in a number of applications. They have been on the market since 1990, and were introduced after the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) was formed in 1989. The group created specific standards for the cards. This ensured that users could feel confident that the cards they purchased would meet their expectations. Here is what you need to know about industrial...
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SSD SATA III Features

  SSD SATA III is a solid state drive that uses the SATA III standard, which is currently the most advanced SATA format available. It offers speeds of 6Gb/s and is compatible with a wide range of consumer applications. It is also backwards compatible with SATA II systems, although speed will be somewhat compromised by the older port. If you’re considering an SSD with SATA features, here is what you need to know.   SATA III Basics As with all SATA products, SATA...
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CFexpress 101

  Industrial CFexpress is a high-speed flash storage device that is removable and able to support fast hosts in industrial applications across a variety of markets. It merges two other flash storage formats into a single new standard that is intended for high-res files and high-speed recording, all within a space-constrained form factor. This flash storage card is designed for industrial and enterprise applications in which speed, capacity, and data integrity are paramount. This new kind of flash storage is...
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What Are Smart MicroSD Cards?

  MicroSD cards, or microSDs, are the smallest form of SD cards available. They are increasingly in demand, as devices continue to become smaller with higher demands for data storage and security than ever before. microSD cards offer a combination of small form factor with powerful storage capabilities in formats that have been optimized for industrial operating conditions. SMART microSD card options make this form of embedded storage even more valuable to industrial users, since the monitoring system will help...
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A Look at the Benefits of Extended Temperature SSD

  Solid state drives, or SSDs, are now the standard drive format used in a large number of consumer and industrial devices. Although hard disk drives, or HDDs, once reigned supreme, SSDs with flash storage are now preferred for a long list of reasons. For industrial users, extended temperature SSDs provide the reliability that is necessary for critical applications. If you are an OEM or engineer considering using an extended temperature SSD in your device, this look at the benefits...
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FAQs about Product Life Cycle Management

  When it comes to developing an application and maximizing your return on it, product life cycle management is critical. Through life cycle management, you can avoid unexpected interruptions in the operation of your product and make sure any transitions to new parts or designs happen seamlessly. Product life cycle management should include the embedded storage device that you use in your application. At Delkin, life cycle management is a standard feature we offer with all of our industrial storage...
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