How to get Cheapest and quality lanyards

Several companies use this method to promote their business and corporate image. Phrases and slogans, custom messages and symbols, such as flowers, hearts, balls and birds can act as a customized promotional lanyard. This is the easiest way to let people know who you are and what you offer to others. Using these lanyards you will have your badge and photo ID-and the losses will be reduced chances safe. Wide range of lanyards available in the market, and you can choose according to your requirements and preferences.

You can find lanyards in various materials such as plastic, cloth and metal. Neck lanyards are usually cloth used by most people. Workers should lanyards, so people can know that the organization owns. Some employees pull the tag attached to lanyard, enabling them to swipe the badge, and they can enter the building drawing. There are several reasons why these lanyards are used by people who depend on their preferences. This is one of the best ways to get exposure and let people know what your identity is.

People will be able to lanyards with sequential numbers. You can use these different purposes, and are considered to be one of the best parts. People are even using MP3, USB disks and video cameras. Young people use mobile phones to wear them around their necks. Manufacturers are coming out to start with the processed lanyards. This is because the reason that they want items that are more eco-friendly and can be used to their full use.

People use lanyards, it is because they are cost effective way to let people know your identity. You did not ask for more money to spend, if you are looking for a medium of your brand and products in the market.

U.S. Branding Group Introduces CORalytics

Technology-driven marketing solutions company, U.S. Branding Group, LLC has officially launched CORalytics™ Tracking Software that can now be used exclusively with their patented USB Insert™ paper webkeys.

According to U.S. Branding Group president and CEO, Rich Butler, "CORalytics™, which stands for Capturing Online Responses, is the seamless use of a dynamic, powerful webkey analytics software program that is supported by a state-of-the-art statistical Web platform. This enables marketers, advertisers, and product managers to visualize who, where, how and when USB Insert™ webkey conversions are happening, giving them the power to take control of their promotional and educational webkey campaigns and thus increase ROI."

Butler explains that CORalytics™ captures page views, while tracking unique visitors and analyzing page views per visitor. The software easily identifies entry and exit pages while monitoring visitor duration per page. This data reporting uniquely identifies the usage of a webkey campaign.

CORalytics™ also provides reports on global users by country, and maps users by region and city. This tracks demographic interests and provides focus marketing by location.

In addition, Butler goes on to say, "Touch Mapping is yet another software feature and an innovative way to custom view visitor's interaction with Web pages, in other words, to see exactly where they click on a website, page by page. Touch Mapping allows you the ability to see user interactions, lending valuable insight into Website information architecture and usability."

CORalytics™ is a proprietary offering of The U.S. Branding Group, LLC and is available exclusively with USB Insert™ webkeys.

The U.S. Branding Group, LLC is an innovator, creator, and manufacturer of technology-driven marketing solutions with offices in North America, UK and Hong Kong. Their latest patented technology combines the world's smallest nano webkey with any physical print media, brochures, direct mail, even magazine inserts, seamlessly connecting users to exclusive landing pages or microsites.

Hitachi unveils USB 3.0 hard drives with free cloud storage bonus

Other hard disk manufacturers have been producing USB 3.0 external drives for quite some time, but Hitachi has only now released its first models which utilize the blazingly-fast bus. Dubbed the Touro Pro, the new line offers 320, 500, and 750GB 2.5-inch models as well as 1, 3, and 3TB 3.5-inch drives with transfer speeds topping out at 5GB per second. Pricing starts at $79.99 for the 320GB model.

Your shiny, new Hitachi hard drive also comes with a little free storage in the company’s cloud vault. How much? Three gigabytes, clearly a nod to the devices’ USB 3.0 support — or maybe I’m just reading into that a little too deeply.

If 3GB isn’t enough to get you excited, Hitachi generously offers an additional 247GB (for a 250GB total) at the bargain price of $49 per year. That’s even cheaper than Google’s pricing, which is already dirt cheap at $50 for 200GB per year. Geek favorite Dropbox costs nearly three times as much for 1/5 of the disk space — though obviously offers added benefits with a bevy of mobile and desktop apps. Hitachi does provide iPad and iPhone apps to access your cloud files, so if that covers your mobile needs you may want to consider the Touro for your next storage upgrade purchase.

Just last month Western Digital acquired Hitachi GST for a cool $4.3 billion dollars, and now Samsung has sold its HDD business to Seagate. The two are now positioned as the last of the big cats in rotating-spindle drive manufacturing as other companies throw their weight behind SSDs.

Model-based Visual Programming Tool Speeds Application Development on TI's F2806x Piccolo(TM) floating-point Microcontrollers

Free two-month trial of Visual Solutions' VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer graphically supports the complete development path from prototyping to deployment

HOUSTON, TX - Simplifying programming to speed design, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) and Visual Solutions today announced that VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer v8.0 (VisSim) provides full, model-based support for TI's new TMS320C2000(TM) Piccolo floating-point microcontrollers (MCUs). The software enables rapid application development, as it visually supports algorithm creation, bit-true simulation, device initialization, prototyping and production C code generation. A full version of VisSim v8.0 is being offered and is available for use with TI's F28069 controlSTICK and F28069 Experimenter's Kit with a free two month trial license. A limited $11 promotional price for the F28069 controlSTICK is also available. For more information on how VisSim supports development of motor control, digital power, power line communications.

"With up to 100KB RAM, on-chip USB, a floating-point unit, 16 individually triggered ADC channels and faster system clock, the F2806x Piccolo MCUs bring tailored performance that is unheard of in low-cost embedded controllers," said Pete Darnell, president, Visual Solutions. "We are proud that TI selected our software to help developers fully leverage the capabilities of the F2806x throughout the design process."

Key features and benefits of VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer v8.0
o Intuitive interface allows development to begin in minutes
o Production-grade C code generator allows high speed sample rates, low RAM and flash requirements, and automatically generates efficient fixed- and floating-point operations
o Easy drop down menus guide the generation of efficient, interrupt-driven code for all on-chip peripherals, including sophisticated modes of operation for the A/D converter and PWMs
o Simulation feature enables developers to verify, debug and tune algorithms while interactively viewing results in graphical plots
o VisSim environment can automatically use TI's Code Composer Studio(TM) IDE and emulation - included with the F2806x kits - to compile, link and download algorithms to the target
o USB JTAG hotlink enables downloading and real-time host to target communication for interactively plotting responses and changing parameters during target execution
o Example diagrams for F2806x MCUs include interactive FFT, PSD, motor control, digital power and a range of other applications to jumpstart development efforts
o Existing VisSim diagrams can be easily retargeted to any C2000 MCU without structural changes to the diagram, greatly reducing the engineering cost to support multiple targets

"VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer for TI's new Piccolo floating-point MCUs simplifies programming by enabling developers to quickly configure and use targeted on-chip peripherals," Sangmin Chon, director of C2000 MCU marketing. "Further reducing time to market, VisSim's efficient code generator allows developers to prototype, prove and then program complex digital control systems into a low-cost, floating-point MCU, or any of the other Piccolo or Delfino(TM) C2000 devices."

IOGEAR Reveals USB-To-HD (DVI/HDMI) Adapter

USB really is universal. The port has been used for an untold number of things in the computing universe, and more recently, accessory makers have figure out how to transmit video signals through the same cable that's more commonly used to connect printers and scanners. IOGEAR is one of those companies, recently introducing a USB-to-HD adapter that basically acts as an external video card in order to drive yet another monitor. This is particularly useful when connected to notebooks; it's pretty easy to pop a new graphics card into a tower, but if your notebook doesn't have a video output, you're basically out of luck without one of these.

The GUC2025H utilizes DisplayLink technology in order to transmit video signals from USB to DVI/HDMI. With a USB to HD Adapter in place, laptop users will be able to have up to three displays showing content; the laptop screen, a second display via the built-in VGA port and a third from the USB port courtesy of IOGEAR’s new adapter. In the home, the GUC2025H complements convergence since it provides a hard-wired streaming solution of any standard or HD content from the PC to the TV with only a single HDMI cable connection. Youtube, Hulu and other computer content can be streamed to the TV interference-free with ease.

Installation's designed to be quick and easy, and there's no need for an external power supply. It'll handle resolutions up to 1600x1200 / 1920x1080 and 32-bit color, and if it's just what the doctor ordered, you can grab one for $99.95. 

The Ink Series USB Flash Pen product comes in 8 standard colors

Flashbay Inc, the leading supplier of logo branded USB flash drives worldwide, has recently launched a stylish, slim, and fun, yet low cost USB flash pen product aimed at the promotional gift market.

The Flashbay Ink Series USB pen is ergonomically designed, constructed from precision injection molded plastic parts, and has an integrated magnetic mechanism to hold the USB flash drive in place.

Flashbay is confident that companies looking for USB flash pens as promotional gifts will choose the Ink Series design over other USB pen designs, which tend to compromise comfort and aesthetic appearance in order to integrate the USB flash drive component.

Unlike the bulky and low quality metal USB pen products currently offered in the market, the Ink Series USB flash pen from Flashbay offers superior quality and is light and comfortable to hold.

The high speed USB flash drive, which is commonly used for data storage and file transfer, can easily be separated from the magnetic connection by sliding it straight out from the top of the pen. Very little force is required to remove the flash drive for use and yet the magnetic mechanism holds it securely in place at all other times.

"We have always felt that current USB pen solutions are too cumbersome and there is a space in the market for a simple and fun design that is slim, compact and comfortable enough to be used effectively as a pen. Our design also has the added benefit that it still functions perfectly as a pen even when the USB flash drive is removed, unlike many other designs", said Charlie Appleton, Flashbay's product designer.

Company logos, slogans, messages, or website URLs can be printed on the clip as well as on the back of the pen. Since it has a removable ink refill, the pen has a long service life, helping your company build brand awareness and increased customer loyalty by ensuring that your branding remains visible to your target audience for a long time to come.

The Ink Series promotional usb Flash Pen product comes in 8 standard colors and Flashbay can optionally Pantone® match the colored body parts to your corporate palette. In common with all Flashbay usb models, the Ink Series contains high speed grade-A NAND flash memory and is available in capacities from 32MB all the way to 16GB. Additionally, Flashbay offers an elegant looking plastic magnetic box as a packaging option, custom designed to present the Ink Series USB pen in the best possible light.

Customers can place orders for the Ink Series USB flash pen product starting April 14th 2011 on a lead time of 6 working days from order to delivery.

Remembering what the future used to be like

Talk of CO2 emissions at just 80g/km and 83mpg on the combined cycle, would suggest I'd been driving the latest hi-tech economy model.

Other figures of note were 11 and 290,000: the former being the age of the car in years and the latter, its mileage.

The figures belong to a Honda Insight I drove recently – not to be confused with the Honda Insight five-door hatchback launched in 2009.

This is one of the original Insight coupés launched in 2000, and is being retained by Honda UK for promotional purposes to demonstrate the reliability and durability of hybrid technology.

I drove the car recently to remind me what the future used to be like.

Back in 2000 when petrol-electric hybrids were a new and little understood concept, the Insight cost £17,000.

Toyota’s hybrid car – the more ‘conventional’ four-door, five-seat Prius – had a slightly lower asking price. Both were eligible for a £1,000 discount in the form of a grant through the government’s PowerShift scheme, which also incentivised LPG-converted cars.

But the Insight’s perceived (and actual) impracticality – it’s a two-seat compact coupé – probably worked against it as much as nervousness at its advanced technology. Fewer than 300 were sold in the UK.

As well as its electric motor-assisted performance, the car also had many aluminium body components and tipped the scales at just 850kg – even with the air conditioning as fitted in the car I drove.

This, along with the economical three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine, enabled it to achieve its 83mpg on the combined cycle and 80g/km.

Only now, 11 years on are we seeing that kind of fuel consumption again, and the lowest CO2 emissions we are likely to see in 2011 from a car powered only by an engine is the forthcoming Kia Rio with its new 1.1-litre diesel engine.

I took the Insight on a 50-mile route that combined motorway driving (not the greatest environment for a hybrid, where it doesn’t take advantage of the electric motor assistance), and some mountain roads in Snowdonia.

It was on its second battery – but it was replaced fairly recently, and only because of a drop off in battery performance rather than any failure to perform.

Another modification was a modern aftermarket audio system with USB port that allowed me to charge my phone while driving.

Like all cars with a bias towards fuel economy, there were some flat-spots in the performance at low revs.

The Insight also comes with a five-speed gearbox, unlike many modern low-CO2 models, which either have six-speed manuals, or some kind of automatic transmission optimised for fuel economy.

The Insight must also be the first car that has a gearshift reminder that encourages changing up or down through the ’box at the best time.

But unlike many modern hybrids, it’s actually good fun to drive quickly. Agile when cornering, nimble when nipping through gaps in traffic, and like petrol Hondas of old (whisper it) quite an adrenaline rush above 5,000rpm.

The Insight yielded its position to more user-friendly hybrids in the Honda line-up – the Civic IMA saloon, the later Insight, the Jazz Hybrid and, of course, the sporty CR-Z coupé.

But it laid an important marker at the end of the 20th century of what can be achieved with hybrid technology. And, as we’ve discovered since, it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Instant Winning, a New Way to Communicate for Companies and Clients With NFC Technology

Infordata, specialized in RFID badge printer, USB smart card reader distribution and among other things in the RFID and NFC technology, has developed together with Top Class Promotion this innovative system of rewarded game that will establish a new way of communication between companies and their clients.

The product have been launched taking advantage of the Promotion Expo’s celebration with the name of “Sfiora e Vinci” (touch and win)and makes use of the RFID technology integrated in the mobiles phones trough the Near Field Communication. The prizes are 30 travel bonus Evviva Vacanze, and thanks to an Infordata’s exclusive agreement, players can win the smartphone Nexus S with 2.3 Android.

The contest working is very simple: consists on filling up a registration form after what participants only need to leave their visit card in the stand and pick a “coin” with the RFID tag placed. Getting closer the “coin” to the operator’s mobile the person will automatically discover if has been awarded or not. The Nexus S is connected to a Finance Ministry certificated software that controls the assignation of prizes.

The partnership between Infordata and Top Class will lead into the market another innovative product, Sell Out, a software and its respective technology that will promote and measure the purchases in the points of sale of any company.

The bet of products for the promotional market doesn’t end here as ought to the collaboration with the company Dot Com, they are going to present two new products: Web 3.1 for the promotional management and Market that automates the order and sending process through a platform with more than 30.000 products.

About Infordata
Infordata Sistemi S.r.l. is based in Trieste. It provides products and services in the fields of card technology, automatic identification and automation systems for companies providing goods and services. In-house consultants and partner companies working at national and international levels help us provide consultancy and support to our customers.

Adder Launch DVI & USB Extension for Professional Users

the experts in connectivity solutions, today announced the availability of the

AdderLink X-DVI PRO. Following on from the original AdderLink X-DVI, the X-DVI PRO

extender features transparent USB and full bandwidth DVI over a single cable. X-DVI

PRO is the second generation DVI extender delivering greater distance, improved USB

and faster setup.

The X-DVI PRO is ideal for users that require superior, no compromise video quality.

Adder's PRO range is a specific set of devices designed for use in professional

digital environments. Industries such as medical imaging, broadcasting, digital

signage, graphic design, drafting and animation need to be confident that what is

shown on screen is exactly what the workstation intends. The only real way to

achieve this is via a digital medium such as DVI. The AdderLink X-DVI PRO will

support the extension of full speed transparent USB together with no compromise DVI

over distances up to 200ft.

The X-DVI achieves full frequency clock rate for single link DVI connections which

means you can extend any resolution within the single link DVI range. As an example,

resolutions of 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz can be achieved without the need to reduce data,

frequency or colour depth in any way. Delivering full speed USB as a transparent

data connection means the X-DVI PRO also supports isochronous devices such as web

cams or USB headsets. Setup is now much faster with the inclusion of automatic cable

equalisation which determines the cable characteristic and adjusts the signal to

deliver perfect results each time.

A true plug and play solution, the AdderLink X-DVI PRO feeds extended profile DDC

EDID information from the screen so that the video card is always set up perfectly.

X-DVI PRO can also be interface powered at the computer, avoiding the need for

additional power sockets and reducing cable clutter. For video only applications, an

optional power supply can also be purchased.

Packard Bell and Amiga Enter Android Tablet Fray

Two prominent names from the 90's PC era have entered the Android tablet game,

hoping  to grab a piece of the pie.  Amiga is rolling out a pair of Android 2.2

tablets in 7-inch and 10-inch variants, both of which can be purchased immediately.

According to the email we received, the 7-inch Xpedio 7 MT model will be nearly

identical to the Galaxy Tab with a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, and 16GB storage. At

$299 it will be a tough sell against the likes of Samsung, especially with its 800 x

480 resolution screen and 1.3-megapixel camera. The 10-inch version (Xpedio 10 MT)

looks to fetch $449 and should have the same internals save for its larger screen.

The picture you see above is said to be a stack of their tablets rolling off the

assembly line. Amiga promises that these tablets will see Honeycomb once Google

releases the code to all.

Currently, Amiga is donating at least $25 of each purchased tablet to relief efforts

in Japan and Haiti. Down the road, addition initiatives and schools will benefit

from the Amiga cause. All one has to do is enter Japan or Haiti in the promotional

code section when checking out with their purchase.

Packard Bell plans to offer a slightly more powerful experience with their new

Honeycomb-powered Liberty Tab. Hardware looks to feature a 10.1-inch display at

1280x800 with a 5-megapixel camera on back and 2-megapixel snapper on front. Other

details include an NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset, USB ports, and support for Wi-Fi, 3G,

HDMI, Bluetooth, and GPS. Europeans can pick theirs up later this summer (June) in

either Pearl White or Cherry Red.

Apple's iPad 2 Tops Consumer Reports' Tablet Ratings

In the news release, Apple's iPad 2 Tops Consumer Reports' Tablet Ratings, issued

05-Apr-2011 by Consumer Reports over PR Newswire, we are advised by the organization

that the fifth paragraph, second sentence, should read "The top-scoring iPad 2

lasted 12.2 hours, but one of the lowest rated, the Dell Streak 7, $450, lasted just

3.8 hours" rather than "The top-scoring iPad 2 lasted 12.2 hours, but the lowest-

rated tablet, the Archos 70 Internet Tablet, $270, lasted just 3.8 hours" as

originally issued inadvertently. The complete, corrected release follows:


Top-rated tablet faces stiff competition from Motorola Xoom in lab tests

YONKERS, N.Y., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After almost a year in which

the Apple iPad has been virtually the only game in town in tablet computers, some

serious competitors are finally hitting the market. Yet in Consumer Reports latest

tests of the 10 most-promising tablet computers, the Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi and 3G

topped the Ratings. 

In Consumer Reports lab tests, the Motorola Xoom revealed itself as the iPad 2's

chief rival.  Like the iPad 2, the Xoom boasts a 10-inch screen but adds

conveniences that the iPad lacks, including a built-in memory card reader and

support for the Flash videos and animations found on many Web sites.

"So far, Apple is leading the tablet market in both quality and price, which is

unusual for a company whose products are usually premium priced," said Paul

Reynolds, Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports. "However, it's likely we'll see

more competitive pricing in tablets as other models begin to hit the market."

Consumer Reports tested tablets from Archos, Dell, Motorola, Samsung, and ViewSonic,

as well as several models from Apple. Each tablet was evaluated on 17 criteria,

including touch-screen responsiveness, versatility, portability, screen glare, and

ease of use, and testers found several models that outperformed the rest. The Apple

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi plus 3G (32G), $730, topped the Ratings, scoring Excellent in

nearly every category.  The first-generation iPad, $580, also outscored many of the

other models tested but tied with the Motorola Xoom, $800.

The largest gap in performance among the 10 tested tablets was evident in Consumer

Reports' battery-life test, measured by playing the same video clip continually on

each tablet and timing how long it played until the battery ran down.  The top-

scoring iPad 2 lasted 12.2 hours, but one of the lowest rated, the Dell Streak 7,

$450, lasted just 3.8 hours.

Before choosing a tablet, Consumer Reports recommends that consumers consider the

following:

Many features are almost universal.  Easy-to-use touch screens based on capacitive

technology are now widely available.  All the models Consumer Reports tested feature

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a front-facing webcam, and GPS capability. 

Android-based models can be expanded using built-in USB ports or slots for SD flash

-memory cards, but the iPad 2 lacks both. 

You get what you pay for. With prices for the best tablets still too high for many

budgets, consumers may be tempted by lower-priced competitors. Don't be, says

Consumer Reports, whose tests have found the performance of models costing $300 and

under to be at best mediocre.  Buying a tablet with a data plan may lower the

initial cost of the device, but cancelling early may result in a stiff penalty. 

Otherwise, it might be cheaper to buy a 3G-capable model without a contract.

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI gets an extra 20HP in the UK

In a strange and unpredictable marketing strategy, Subaru UK has decided to give potential customers the extra oomph they may need to go out and purchase an Impreza WRX STI. Between now and June 31, 2011, Subaru UK will be selling the standard WRX STI models for the typical 32,995 (about $53,500 at the current exchange rates), but add on an upgrade in engine power and satellite navigation system for FREE. Yes, that's F-R-E-E.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI comes with a 2.5 liter Boxer 16-valve turbo engine that produces 300 HP, but during this promotional period, the engine will be tweaked to deliver 320 HP and 331 lbs-ft of torque. With this extra 20 HP, the improved STI will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Next to the engine upgrade, the STI will also get a Pioneer satellite navigational system fitted as standard. The system features touch-screen capability, Bluetooth, and iPod connection. The screen is also detachable and can be connected to a laptop via a USB port for easy downloading of additional information.

The list of equipment for the Subaru will also include symmetrical AWD, keyless entry and push button start, hill start assist, climate control, SI-Drive, leather Recaro seats, 18 inch alloy wheels, remote locking, satellite tracker, and cruise control.

Subaru UK didn't mention the reason behind this added bonus, but we don't think anyone in the UK will mind.

A New Way of Communication Between Companies and Clients

Promotion Expo taking place at Milano from the 9th to the 11th with more than 16 thousand of square meters

This year in the Marketing and Promotion Fair focused, among other things, in the loyalty of clients with the companies the services related to the RFID and NFC technologies are a mainly part of the expectations and presentations.

The RFID technology, besides the RFID badge creation, offers the possibility of create a new generation of corporative presents and gadgets, developing at the same time a new way of communication between the companies and their clients. The information that could be transmitted has no more limits, images, video and customize messages could be included in the new promotional gifts, products' label and any kind of objects.

In the Fair, the company Infordata, specialist in card technology (card creation, usb smart card reader distribution and such), office automation, time attendance and automatic identification systems and a referent in the Italian RFID market, has developed together with the company Top Class Promotion a new use of the NFC technology.

This initiative will be publicized with a live demonstration that will allow visitors to understand the working and each detail of this new system. The aim of the exhibition is to show how the NFC technology can be used in a simple way instead of most of the people think which get scared only by listen its acronyms.

To involve visitors and encourage them to know more about this new application, Infordata (focused in the RFID readers writers technology) and Top Class promotion, with the Pomotion Expo's sponsor, have presented the first contest related to the use of contactless technologies, with instant winners!! Consists on a game with prizes called "Sfiora e Vinci" (touch and win), and we are sure that it will like to all the visitors no matter their age or characteristics.

The prizes are very attractive and according to what Marko Petelin, marketing director of Infordata, said to participate in the contest is as simple as filling out a form and discover if you just win or not.

"The contest called Sfiora & Vinci - explained Marko Petelin - will be the first contest in Italy of instant winning making use of the RFID technology integrated in the mobile phones through a Near Field Communication solution. Thanks to an exclusive agreement, players can win the very latest smartphone Nexus S with 2.3 Android and 30 travel bonus Evviva Vacanze!

This first contest making use of the RFID technology consists on filling up a registration form after what participants only need to leave their visit card in the stand and pick a "coin" with the RFID tag placed, to discover if a person has won it's only needed to put close the coin to the operator's mobile.

"For the assignation of the prizes we use a Nexus S – continued Petelin – which trough the Web connects itself to a Finance Ministry certificated software that will control the assignation. Almost instantly the mobile's display will show the result".

The RFID technology continues changing people's lives allowing a more direct and personal communication incorporating multimedia contents and extra services to make easier our lives through the contactless technology and to offer new channels for marketing and direct communication between companies and clients.