The Software

The software that powers the Rimage Maestro system is the Rimage Automation Suite.
RAS, as it is abbreviated, utilizes over 20 years of workflow expertise and software
architecture experience to provide world class reliability and usability for the Maestro
system. While RAS itself is new, the core is very similar to the Rimage Software Suite (RSS)
that powers Rimage optical systems, with a fully modern user interface.

AutoConductor

The software component that will be most visible to users is AutoConductor. AutoConductor
combines administration features with an out-of-the-box job submission tool.
Using AutoConductor, you can quickly see the status of any Maestro system you’re
connected to on your network, their consumables counts, job progress and any warnings or
error messages requiring attention. RAS incorporates a number of “smart” features that
reduce the complexity of such a powerful automation software, such as automatic detection
of what types of consumables are installed, which can be viewed through AutoConductor. All
jobs submitted to a system, whether from one client or multiple, can be viewed and
administered through a simple UI. Additionally, AutoConductor is the Rimage client for
submitting USB jobs. By saving jobs, it is possible to build a library of easily submitted jobs,
or create new ones on the fly.

Quick Design

The one thing AutoConductor doesn’t do is design labels. While AutoConductor can accept
labels in formats like PDF or JPG, RAS also includes Quick Design.
A new label editor created expressly for the Rimage Automation Suite is called Quick
Design. It allows users to quickly create beautiful, functional labels for printing on the
Rimage EncoreCP printer that is part of the Maestro system. Being designed specifically for
RAS, Quick Design makes it easy for even a brand new user to unlock powerful tools like
merge fields, serial number generators and graphics layout. Quick Design is not just for
basic users however, and we’ve incorporated many features that graphic designers would
expect from a powerful editing suite.

Core Architecture

Behind the scenes, there are two other important pieces of software that users typically
won’t interact with. The first is the Rimage Production Server, which operates all aspects of
the hardware and jobs, such as printing, recording and robotic movement.
This is largely the same Production Server as the Rimage optical systems use, however in
RAS, Production Server can run either as a Windows Service or as a standard software
program. Users will only interact with Production Server through the AutoConductor, but it is
useful to know it’s there driving the hardware.
The second piece is also familiar from the Rimage optical suite, which is the Rimage
Messaging Server. The Messaging Server runs as a Windows service, and listens to TCP/IP
communication on port 4664 by default. All communication, whether from clients like
AutoConductor or 3rd party integrated clients, or from the Production Server running on
different Maestro systems, runs through Messaging Server. This service allows
AutoConductor to monitor multiple Maestro systems from one client.

SDK

While AutoConductor is an out-of-the-box tool for submitting jobs, Rimage understands that
many customers already have existing workflows and software tools they use for their data.
For these customers, Rimage also offers a Software Development Kit, frequently
abbreviated to SDK. The SDK provides documentation and sample code for integrating the
Rimage Maestro into other applications. For example, consider a web shop that offers a
variety of software packages delivered to customers via a USB drive. Rather than an
operator having to manually send jobs, the Rimage SDK allows the customer to tie their web
shop directly to the Rimage. When a customer buys something on the web, the shop can
send an XML job directly to a Maestro system to produce it. This is just one simple example
of the endless capabilities of the SDK

What’s it all about?

First of its Kind, USB Automation System

The next generation of USB production,
Maestro is the first fully automated USB system
for printing and recording in the market from Rimage.
Engineered for reliable robust performance with
industrial grade robotics, Maestro meets the world’s
most challenging digital content demands for
USB technology. Advanced features such as
flexible memory and case size options combine
with our new software suite bring you unrivaled
performance and quality.

Superb printing

Maestro systems have the world’s best full-color
thermal printers, providing top of the line printing and
industrial-grade production in one robust package.

Same-day turnaround

Designed to scale from single USBs that are each 100% unique
up to producing hundreds of customizable USBs per day, Maestro
systems allow you to deliver custom-tailored USBs for any use.
Automated robotics and a powerful software interface combine to
allow automated production, integrating into your workflow to save
you time and money.

Powerful performance

By utilizing a modular approach, the Maestro can allow production
of up to four different capacity and speed data modules and up to
two sizes of cases at once. With a 100 card input capacity and up to
a 200 card output capacity standard, Maestro systems offer
flexibility. The reliable Rimage robotics are designed
to output USBs continuously for years.

Features

• Operating system on SSD for fast startup with 16 GB of RAM
• Two USB case size options: thumb drive and pocket drive
• USB 3.1 Gen 1 data modules from 8GB to 128GB capacity
• Four 25 data module input magazines
• Four 25 case input magazines
• 200-USB rotating carousel for output
• 360 degree visible status light
• Multi-line LCD status display

Data Modules

The first component of the Maestro consumables is the data module.

This broadly consists of three features,

The USB connector, the NAND flash memory, and the Retaining clips to interface with the case.
Rimage Maestro supports both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connectors,which are the most common
connectors available in the market. In the future, Rimage can add USB C connectors,
sometimes called USB 3.1. Since the Maestro system was designed to accommodate
future USB connectors, you will be able to field upgrade your Maestro system to support
the newer formats as they become available. USB C has a different connector, meaning
you would need to swap the USB recorder to utilize USB C in the Maestro.
The current capacity of the NAND flash memory available in the Maestro is 8GB, 16GB,
32GB and 64GB for the USB 2.0 version, and the same plus 128GB for the USB 3.0
version. The Maestro uses industry standard NAND flash memory, so as larger sizes or
other features become available in this form factor, you will be able to use them in your
Maestro system without needing to purchase new hardware.
The final component of the data module is the retaining clips. This innovative feature allows
the data module to be inserted into the case securely, while still allowing the USB connector
to retract into the case for protection or extend from the case to plug into a USB port. This
feature does mean that the data modules are unique only to Rimage.

Cases

There are two sizes of cases that the Maestro supports. These are the thumb case and the
pocket case. The thumb case is very similar in size to most typical consumer USB devices, at
25mm wide, 54mm long and 7mm thick. The pocket case is larger, allowing more printable
surface area. The pocket drive is 54mm wide, 85.5mm long and 7mm thick. These are about the
same dimensions as a business card.

The thickness of the card is a result of supporting USB 3.0. While there are thinner USB
devices marketed as “business card” size, these are limited to being USB 2.0 devices due
to the connector. USB 3.0 and USB C devices require a full metal housing for the
connector. Since Rimage wants to support USB 3.0 and other new technologies, we opted
for a slightly thicker card to protect the required connector.
Other features of the Maestro cases include a key ring on one corner. This is located on the
side corner of the card so it does not subtract from any of the printable surface. There are
also two pin holes on either side of the case that will allow you to release a data module
from the case if needed. Cases are offered in white only and are thermal printable for use in
the EncoreCP printer.

Ribbon

The Maestro system includes an EncoreCP printer, based on our Everest series of thermal
retransfer printers. The EncoreCP includes a specially designed printer tray to support the
cases, but is otherwise identical to our Encore printers, including the ribbon. Just like the
Encore printer can print 500 discs with a single CMY ribbon, the EncoreCP can print 500 USB
drives with the same ribbon. This includes both front and back printing for the cases.

With the printer being so similar and the ribbon being identical, Rimage offers decades of experience and optimization in the Maestro system from day one.