A new look for CD Team

The CD Team brand re-launch has been a work in progress for several months and we are really interested to hear what you think of our new look.

We believe the new branding reflects the products and services CD Team provide today and at the same time defines our future proposition. Whether distributing or storing your content on optical disc, USB flash drives, hard disk drives or flash memory cards, CD Team deliver tailor-made solutions that utilise the very latest technology.    

CD is certainly still very much our core business, as is DVD and Blu-ray.
However, we are also increasingly advising, supplying and project managing the delivery of content on other physical formats and therefore it was time for our name, CD Team, to reflect this wider range of products and services. Over our 15 years of trading, we have built up strong brand recognition and are well known within the industry as a trustworthy company, so by adding Content Delivery rather than a complete name change we are able to encompass optical discs and other digital delivery methods within a familiar brand that many of you have come to depend upon.

Team is also at the heart of our business.
As many of you know, being a CD Team customer allows you access to our team of experts: you work closely with your friendly account manager; get advice from our technical specialists and graphics designers. Our team ethos extends to all aspects of our business. This enables us to retain dedicated and enthusiastic team members needed to provide you with the excellent service you expect.

Content Delivery Team
Having already invested in high capacity dual layer DVD-R and Blu-ray (BD-R) disc equipment we have expanded our duplication facility to include all forms of USB flash drives and flash memory cards such as SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) so we can offer a range alternative delivery methods to optical discs and ensure that we can continue to meet seemingly impossible deadlines, securely, across a wide range of media formats. Whatever the format, our services are always flexible and reliable. We offer practical solutions for business requirements today and into the future.

New Website - http://www.cdteam.co.uk/
By launching our NEW look brand in conjunction with a new website, designed specifically to provide the information you need quickly and easily, I believe this demonstrates our continued commitment to meet your needs and exceed your expectations every time you choose to use our products and services.

If you would like to talk to me, or a member of the team about finding the right content delivery solution for your business, please call today on 01491 636373 or visit our website and complete the new 'how can we help' form. If you have any feedback on our re-branding or the new website we are always interested to hear your views.

Author: Jo Fone, Managing Director

Calling all Blu-ray boffins...

There are some interesting advances going on in the world of Blu-ray technology so we thought we'd share them with you...

Blu-ray is no longer the preserve of games developers and the big film studios; independent publishers – even the smaller ones – are coming on board as well.  Already in the UK, Blu-ray accounts for 26% of 'District 9' disc sales, 23% of 'Terminator Salvation' sales and 22% of 'Inglourious Basterds' and ‘Star Trek 11.  The ever increasing size of data files for certain evidence data and the security sector is pushing the uptake of Blu-ray recordable drives and media into the professional non-entertainment markets too.  This was the same pattern for DVD in the early days with transition from CD to the next generation larger capacity format.



The forthcoming Blu-ray Disc Academy forum at Frankfurt on 19 May will be Europe’s first event showcasing 'live' advanced Blu-ray features and BD-Live applications that push the creative boundaries of the high-definition format, and how these can unlock commercial opportunities.  Such as a BD disc linking Internet-based social networks; a BD player communicating with WiFi-enabled smart devices; a pay-per-view video delivery service that lets users rent movies via their BD player; a low-cost ’out-of-the-box’ BD-Live content management solution with back office server; a copying software added to a Pure Audio Blu-ray service; an application which allows mobile phone users to send videos to any BD-Live-enabled BD player. Not to mention the arrival of 3D on Blu-ray.  There are also a few early examples of BD-live being used for business-to-business applications.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has announced two new media specifications that use Blu-ray Disc technology.  These provide targeted functionality for commercial and consumer applications. The specifications for BDXL (High Capacity Recordable and Rewritable discs) and IH-BD (Intra-Hybrid Blu-ray Discs) are expected in the next few months.

 

The BDXL specification, targeted primarily at commercial segments such as broadcasting, medical and document imaging enterprises with significant archiving needs, will provide customers with write-once options on 100GB and 128GB capacity discs and rewritable capability on 100GB discs. The discs reach these capacities by incorporating three to four recordable layers. A consumer version of BDXL is also expected, particularly in those regions where BD recorders have achieved broad consumer acceptance.

 

Professional industries have expressed a desire to find optical disc solutions that enable them to transition away from magnetic media for their archiving needs.  The Blu-ray Disc Association Global Promotions Committee chair. "Leveraging Blu-ray Disc to meet this need provides professional enterprises with a compact, stable and long-term solution for archiving large amounts of sensitive data, video and graphic images using a proven and widely accepted optical technology."



The IH-BD incorporates a single BD-ROM layer and a single BD-RE layer so as to enable the user to view, but not overwrite, critical published data while providing the flexibility to include relevant personal data on the same physical disc. This allows for consumer specific applications where combining published content with related user data on a convenient, single volume is desirable. Both the ROM and the RE layers on IH-BD discs provide 25GB of capacity.



As both BDXL and IH-BD are specially designed formats with specific market segments in mind, newly designed hardware is required to play back or record BDXL or IH-BD media. However, because the new media specifications are extensions of current Blu-ray Disc technology, future BDXL and IH-BD devices can be designed to support existing 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray Discs.

Should you have any queries with regards to Blu-ray and how it could benefit you please call today on 01491 636373 or email our technical team on technical@cdteam.co.uk

Author: Alex Ashur, Technical Manager

Flash memory, quality is everything...

Most businesses want to cut costs at every opportunity and find better deals on required products. However, businesses should be aware that if they buy too cheaply, they run the risk of products failing and their reputation being at stake. In my experience this is even more apparent with USB sticks than any other media storage device.

USB keys and flash drives are a quick, simple and versatile storage device and our USB duplication service now makes them even easier to use. In recent months, I have seen an increasing number of USB production jobs where the customer has supplied us with their own USB media to copy on to. Although we always prefer to provide a complete service, we will duplicate onto pre-sourced USBs, however there have been several jobs where the supplied USBs were, shall we say, not of the greatest quality.

To give you a better idea of the effect this can have, one customer required us to upload company data onto 500 of their supplied branded USBs so that they could distribute them at an exhibition to promote brand awareness. During the duplication process, we found that 28% of the sticks had failed to upload (140 units total). Despite trying the sticks again they still would not duplicate as the chip inside them was such poor quality.

As a result, the customer did not have enough USBs for the event and of those sticks that were given out, they could no longer be confident that they would all work when their potential clients tried to use them.

So, businesses looking for bargains may indeed find products which are much cheaper than others on the market and they may think they are getting a great deal, however they are taking a huge gamble.  For instance, if you make a 30% saving on the USBs and 28% of them fail and cannot be used, you haven’t saved any money. Ofcourse, the much greater risk is distributing a low quality product with your branding on, that may not work at all.

Your reputation and recommendations by word of mouth are critical to your success, so paying out a little extra for good quality products from a reliable supplier will give you that vital peace of mind.

Author: Dave Kemble, Account Manager

Thinking Green and Making a Difference

Eco Friendly Disc Packaging

CD Team have always strived to have a positive impact on the environment and offer a range of eco-friendly disc packaging:

• Made of 100% recyclable or even recycled carton board or paper, and always printed with vegetable inks.
• Weighs a third of traditional plastic packaging, thereby cutting shipping and storage costs, and... it doesn't break if you drop it.
• It offers unlimited design options, and also comes in a range of unprinted or generic printed versions.

Call 01491 636373 for more information on our eco-friendly packaging.

WEEE Registered

CD Team Ltd is registered with the Environment Agency for WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and we recycle all electrical waste. We are registered in a compliance scheme, provide recycling for all equipment sold and complete quarterly figures for all systems so this can be accurately measured.

Disc Recycling


For the safe disposal of CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray containing content no longer required, discs are destroyed using a shredder to guarantee security for our customers and ourselves. The shredded waste is then sent to Polymer Recycling and Grundon where the polycarbonate material is extracted, cleaned and re-used.

Delivery Packaging

We use re-used packaging, which benefits the environment and our own costs. The majority of goods delivered to us in outer boxes or packaging are sent on in their original form. Where goods are unpacked and used for our value added services (such as disc being printed, duplicated and fulfilled) we re-use boxes of the smallest size possible whilst ensuring adequate protection for the products enclosed. All discs are supplied by manufacturers who conform to the packaging waste directive.

Deliveries

Using couriers rather than our own vehicles for all deliveries also minimises our carbon footprint. Our couriers have Environment Policies and are committed to limiting their own carbon footprint.

Website 

In an effort to be environmentally friendly in all aspects of our business, our website is also carbon neutralised. We are registered with COCO2 which carbon offsets any CO2 emissions produced by our website.

Office Waste Recycling

We work with our waste disposal supplier Grundon to recycle general waste wherever possible. Our commitment to recycling is confirmed by our signing a duty of care certificate with them. This promises all mixed paper, mixed plastics, cardboard and cans are separated by us and collected by them once a week.

Printer Consumables

All Ink cartridges are all recycled through the Woodland Trust Charity. For more information visit www.woodland-trust.org.uk/inkjet. Our printer toners are also recycled.

Travel

Decisions on travel are always carefully considered and where possible webinars and teleconference calls are used with overseas suppliers. We encourage lift sharing, cycling and walking into work wherever possible.

"Being a responsible business is at the heart of what we do"

We are committed to continuously improving the way we work, from the way we interact with each other and everyone outside of our company, to the impact we have on communities and the environment around us – local, national and global.

Corporate Social Responsibility is essential to our success both now and for the future. Sustainable products, mutually beneficial customer and supplier partnerships as well as excellent customer service are all part of our daily work ethic.

These responsibilities are what our business has been built upon. They make sound business sense and are the right thing to do, and CD Team will continue to found our business upon them.

- Jo Fone, Managing Director CD Team Ltd

• Engaging with our customers
• Responsibilities as an Employer
• Engaging with our Suppliers
• Responsibilities for our Investors

Fined up to £500,000 for data loss

A recent BBC news article warns of future fines for data loss and once again highlights how critical data protection is for every business.

Read the full article on the BBC website: BBC News

Your needs can be taken care of, CD Team offers a range of data security and anti-piracy solutions which can reduce the chances of your data being lost and or copied dramatically and even eliminate it completely:


» SECURE DISCS for access security and data protection
Secure discs such as Verbatims SecureSave DVDs and AutoSave Encrypt, are a simple and cost effective way to store and distribute confidential information. If the disc is lost or stolen, it is protected by an enforced password and 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption. If the disc is copied onto a standard blank disc or a hard disc drive the encrypted data will become inaccessible. Each disc contains the security application so in only a few clicks, and without installing any software on your PC, you can record, protect, encrypt and archive your sensitive data.


» SECURE USBs for portable data security and content protection
Secure USB drives are the perfect compact and versatile way to save your sensitive data and protect it from unauthorised access. CD Team has a selection of secure USBs ranging from single secure partition with enforced password protection and hardware-based, 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption to advanced devices with FIPS 140-2 level 2 certification and inbuilt drive termination software. As above each USB device contains the security application.


» SECURE DUPLICATORS for secure data copying
Secure Duplicators with lockable entry, can custom print your cd, dvd or blu-ray discs with your company details and logo, individually barcode or serial number them or add an individuals name to every disc produced so that you can track each one. This identity information can also be embedded into the disc content (known as fingerprinting). For regular high volume data encryption, AutoSave Encrypt Pro enables discs to be pre-printed with your logo and supplied in bulk or used as part of our secure duplication service.


» SECURE HARD DRIVES for secure data storage
Protecting the data that is stored on external hard drives is of major concern to many organizations and there is an increasing requirement for the devices to be robustly secure. Verbatim’s 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) hardware encrypted 2.5” hard disk drive fulfils this need, offering real-time full disk encrypted storage with no loss of performance during data transfer.


» SECURE DISC DESTRUCTION for safe data disposal
Don't leave discs lying around in temptations way. If you have important data to protect, disposing of it can be a real issue. Don't take any unnecessary chances; CD Team can dispose of all your discs using heavy duty disc shredders or provide you with a disc shredder or professional degausser for use in-house.


For more details or visit our dedicated security site: www.storeandprotect.co.uk

Happy New Year

I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Despite all the heavy snow we've been having, it is business as usual here at CD Team. So please contact us today, call 01491 636373 or email us at info@cdteam.co.uk

It may be cold out there but you can't deny it's a beautiful sight. Take a look at some of our snow photos below:







We look forward to hearing from you and hope you all stay safe if travelling in the snow.

Christmas Opening Times

On behalf of everyone here at CD Team, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to working with you in 2010.
Best wishes, Emma.

Instead of sending Christmas cards this year we ran a Competition for our customers with a chance to win a PS3, an iPod Touch or a Ticketmaster Giftcard. The Competition is now closed.

THE WINNERS ARE:
1st Prize - Tony Clarke
2nd Prize - John Sowerby
3rd Prize - Sarah Timbers
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered.
You raised £232 for Children in Need.


As you all enjoyed our Christmas cards in the past, here's a look back over the years with our Card montage:


CD Team will be closed for Christmas and New Year as follows:

• Thursday 24th (Christmas Eve) - CLOSED from mid-day
• Friday 25th (Christmas Day) - CLOSED
• Monday 28th (Bank Holiday) - CLOSED
• Tuesday 29th - OPEN
• Wednesday 30th - OPEN
• Thursday 31st (New Years Eve) - CLOSED
• Friday 1st (New Years Day) - CLOSED
• Monday 4th January - RE-OPEN for business as usual

Christmas Wishes
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us all and thank you to everyone who has sent us a Christmas Message. Here are just some of the kind messages we received:

• Hope that everyone has a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, with many thanks for a really good product and great support.
• Wishing everyone at CD TEAM a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year! It's been an absolute pleasure (as always) working with you and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year! Best Wishes Sam
• Have a great Christmas and I look forward to working with you again in the New Year. P.S. The quiz is a great idea!!
• Wishing you all a Cool Yule and Many Thanks for all of your help and cooperation throughout the year.
• Merry Christmas! Can I please have the PS3!?!
• Just want to say thank you for bailing us out of a hole this year - the speed and quality of your service is superb! Have a wonderful Christmas and a successful and prosperous 2010! Ben
• Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everybody - thanks for your support in 2009!
• Thanks for all your help, and Have a great xmas, hope your all drink loads and fall over.thanks xx
• Thanks for all your help this year with our digital storage needs. Have a Happy Christmas and a Great New Year.
• Merry Christmas from us all, thanks for your support, and the bit of fun with the quiz too!
• Merry Christmas ...keep up the good work !!
• Best Xmas Wishes go to a very helpful and friendly team and we wish you good business and happiness for 2010.
• Thanks to the whole team for the personal and cheerful service. Hope all your stockings are full this Christmas.
• HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! AND THANKS EVER SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD-WORK FOR US THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR. MANY THANKS. X
• Thank you very much for your help in creating CDs for one of our clients this year. It was much appreciated and we hope to be in touch soon with more work for you. Merry Christmas!
• Thanks for the Christmas Competition invite and thanks for your hard work throughout the year. I'll be in touch for our next order very soon!
• Thank you for all your excellent work over the year!
• Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Gang. Great idea this (so long as I win!)
• Happy Christmas! Thank you to Dom especially for dealing with all my last minute orders and getting them all delivered as promised. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year x
• Thanks for your help over the last 2 years. Have a Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year.
• Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for all the tips and quizzes!
• Merry Christmas to one and all. And thanks for all your help with our monthly duplications this year, the turn around times have been great, cheers
• Merry Christmas from My team and myself. A Great first year of this partnership. Congratulations to Jan Collins and the CD Team.
• To the C-hristmas D-ream Team, wishing you lots of Christmas cheer.
• Happy Xmas, Thank you for been a good help, great service from yourself, unlike many other company's! Have a great new year!