Date: February 08, 2003
Time: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Station: KPRC-AM (CBS)
Location: Houston
Program: High-Tech Texan

Michael Mr. Garfield, host:

While I am at the Texas Home and Garden Show I am going to be walking around. I told--I have to do some research on these Krypton and Argon filled windows. I am going to learn more about that. But I am also going to stop by another booth over there and--no I'm--I'll leave it to Randy when it comes to fertilizer and stuff like that. But there's a lot of technology going on over there.

A company called GoldX™ PowerCore System. Actually, it's from a company called JDI Technologies with a product called GoldX™ PowerCore System.

And in studio--I pulled him away from the show floor and I hope somebody is standing at the booth right now not taking the product--Steve Burman. Steve is the vice president of marketing at JDI Technologies. All the way from Canada--I think he tells me he is--even though the company is in Arbor Hills, Michigan.

Steve, welcome to Texas. Welcome to KPRC. And welcome to the HIGH-TECH TEXAN show.

Mr. Steve Burman (Vice President of Marketing at JDI Technologies): Michael, thank you. It's great to be here. Appreciate the opportunity to talk to you and your listeners about the PowerCore system.

Mr. Garfield: PowerCore system, OK. Now, for--people can not see the product. You can log online. We're going to talk about where they can find it.

Lets start from the top. You got a computer. You got video equipment. You got audio equipment. You've got cords and cables everywhere.

I mean, that's my problem because you can imagine the gear in my crib right now. I mean, I've got a measly three computers, monitors. I've got video editing equipment. I've got--you know--electrical cords. I've got a surge protector plugged into an extension cord plugged into--I mean it's just not good. It is--lightning, something blows, it's over.

We have valuable equipment and I try to profess the virtues of using surge protectors. But that's just one aspect of, I guess, ways to protect in the smart way of computing or connecting device to device to device with all these peripherals.

The GoldX™ PowerCore system eliminates that--actually the maze of the computer cables, the adapters and devices. Give us a top level view of what the whole system does.

Mr. Burman: OK. Great. You know, you paint a perfect picture of most computer environments today where there's multiple surge protectors. They are filled with power adapters and all the cables and gear that all our devices are bringing to our environment.

The PowerCore system was designed to eliminate the mess and create a stackable solution that brings power and data lines in a very manageable and functionable way to the computer and to the computer user.

So we have surge protection in the base unit. Our base unit has a modular approach to circuit protection. We are believers in that. So when the surge protector and it's technology is consumed by multiple surges, you can just pop out the surge module and replace it. You can up grade it. You might choose to have a back up. We found in some initial marketing that most consumers, once they understand our product, will buy a back up. And they understand the value of having something that can quickly up grade and replenish their surge protector. That unit, by the way Mike, has a built in alarm so they know instantly when it's time to up grade or put in a new module.

The base unit offers AC outlets so you can plug in your devices. It has data line modules, which allows the consumer to customize the data line inside for protection whether going to a DSL modem, using a cable modem, or satellite dish. So it has lots of protection for them. It's all modular. It burns up, you replace it for a much lower cost than buying a whole new device.

The PowerCore system gets its name because inside that power base is a 56 watt power transformer, which creates 12 volts of DC power. It's 4.7 amps. And that's enough to power up to 20 units or 20 Ethernet ports. Now, most people won't have 20 USB ports.

Mr. Garfield: I do.

Mr. Burman: You do? Well, but you're Mike.

Mr. Garfield: That's right.

Mr. Burman: OK. So we provide the consumer with a stackable solution of devices that creates ability for them to network, to add more USB to the devices. They can add a card reader, which we're introducing later this year. They will be able to have a broadband adapter. So everything they want to do beyond the box itself, they can systemize in a stackable solution all powered by the PowerCore base and therefore no power adapters.

Mr. Garfield: Steve Burman in studio joining us from JDI Technologies talking specifically about the GoldX™ PowerCore system.

Surge protection, surge protection, surge protection. Why is it important? I mean this is the e-mail that I get quite frequently. It's more than just an extension cord that has--you know, that you can plug six--you know--things into one different unit. Surge protection is very important. Be it lightning bolts or--you know--something blows in your home or in your office, the fact is that charge can just totally wipe out every single piece of equipment you have.

If you think about the--first of all the cost of the equipment itself, you've got a large screen television set. I mean, if you've got your 19, 21 inch flat panel monitor, if you've got a high powered stereo speaker system, I mean we are talking tens of thousands of dollars to replace the physical hardware. We are not even talking about the information that was inside too. So surge protection is interesting.

Now the GoldX™ system is a--look at the product right here. It's not your typical gray or white box. It's modular and dare I say it's sexy even. It's a semi-circular curve. It's something that--actually it looks really high tech, really space agey--Star Trek if you will--that fits on top--I guess you can put it anywhere. It fits on top your desk, underneath your desk, whatever. But it's a stackable system. You start at the bottom with a base unit, I believe, and you can just add different products on top of that.

What other products can we add on top of this system?

Mr. Burman: OK. We can add, with power from within, a five port Ethernet switch. We will be offering a high speed 2.0 USB hub. We are currently shipping a full speed 1.1 USB hub now.

We have a port replicator. So if the users already have some legacy devices--they have a PS2 keyboard and mouse, a parallel printer serial device port replicator will allow them to integrate those legacy devices and only consume one USB ports on their system or on a USB hub.

We have a FireWire hub available.

One of our latest introductions is a five port DC hub. You have a lot of gear and adapters you are currently carrying around with you, the DC hub provides power for devices like PDAs, digital cameras. And that hub has three five watt power ports. It has a nine volt and a 12 port. So you can--a nine volt port and a 12 volt port. So you can actually leave all your adapters in your computer bag and plug everything directly into the PowerCore System. So you can actually have a totally adapter free environment with the PowerCore system.

Mr. Garfield: Steve Burman, JDI Technologies joining us. Phone number 713-777-KPRC. We're live at TalkRadio950 KPRC on the HIGH-TECH TEXAN show with Michael Mr. Garfield. Any question about--Steve, about the use of powering peripherals. Why and how important it is needed? Again, give us a call here 713-777-KPRC.

Computers, now days, come with maybe 2 USB plugs in them, maybe one FireWire port. There is--there are so many peripherals that you're going to start needing to add an additional--some of these adapters, which is--you know--why there is several on the market. But yours is unique.

I guess it's the design because, you know--about two years ago I have an additional four port USB. I think it's a Belkin brand. It's a little tiny thing. it's plastic. You know, it's half falling apart. Then I've got another device that I found on sale. They don't stack. They're all piled up. I think you put a lot into the design of this thing that it stacks together.

Mr. Burman: That's the beauty of a stackable solution. Guest house space is really important to all of us now. And the thing that I see of most interest of people today is the look of their working environment. We're spending more time in front of the computer so we want less clutter. So the PowerCore system takes the surge protector off the floor and eliminates the need for multiple ports because we're powering devices with it. I mean, if you think of how many outlets you have in an adapter a day. I mean, that's why we have several surge protectors. So the PowerCore system gives you a desktop solution for your power needs. It gives you protection. But it not only powers devices, but it provides a platform where you can stack them.

Mr. Garfield: GoldX™ has been around. Tell us a little bit about the company. What is their--I guess, their port technology?

Mr. Burman: Our company has been in the market for 18 years. We've been very focused on data and power products. Very strong in the data com side of the industry--providing mobility and wiring solutions for probably--at this point, over 10 million PCs are connected with our cables. Our company saw in USB a real opportunity to create some innovative products, both with power and data. And our company has been looking at and developing unique modular solutions around power protection for about five years now. So the GoldX™ name--the GoldX™ brand is really the umbrella of the new technology coming out of JDI technologies.

Mr. Garfield: Interesting, as I look at the product information, more and more companies are starting to offer--they so strongly believe in their products, Steve, they are offering warranties on some of the products just in case something goes wrong. And it seems like you also do the same.

Mr. Burman: Very much so. We give our lifetime warranty on any power product that we manufacture. So the PowerCore system comes with a lifetime warranty. And with--a benefit for the consumer to be able to up grade the moduals. They give you power protection. They give you data line protection. They have a very long life product. All our cable products come with a lifetime warranty. And then all the devices come with a three year manufacturers warranty as well. So, we're standing behind our product both from a warranty stand points.

We do have an equipment warranty program so if your device has electrical problems because of a surge, we cover you with an extended warranty. We also are very excited about giving customer service and support. It's the quality part of what we're doing.

And people can get downloads of our product manuals, quick start manuals, and also drivers from our Web site. I'd like to give that to your listeners.

Mr. Garfield: Absolutely. My last question is how can we find out more information?

Mr. Burman: Product information and services available at www.goldxproducts.com--that's g-o-l-d-x products.com.

Mr. Garfield: Generally what are the prices? I mean it's nice that you're able to pick and choose. If you don't need the FireWire now, don't get the FireWire. You can add it in time. So they come in different levels. What is the general price range of each of these products?

Mr. Burman: OK. The PowerCore base lists at 39.95. And we have devices, for instance a USB four port hub starts at 24.95. And we go up through a number of devices at 49.95, which would be an Ethernet switch, five port. We have a DC hub, which I mentioned earlier, which eliminates all the adapters you currently own. And then the top of the line device for us is our port replicator, with serial, parallel and PS2 keyboard and mouse, 69.95.

Mr. Garfield: 69.95

Mr. Burman: Yes.

Mr. Garfield: And, I guess, the most important thing, where can we get them? Online? In stores?

Mr. Burman: You can actually get them today, Mike, at the Texas Home and Garden Show. We're there until tomorrow.

Mr. Garfield: You're selling product on the floor.

Mr. Burman: We're selling product. We have some show specials. Regionally all Texas Electronics has our full line of GoldX™ products, not only the PowerCore system, but our mobility products, our premise wiring, our networking products. And they can also, again, come to www.goldxproducts.com for more direction on who carries the line of products.

Mr. Garfield: Well good. I can not wait to come by the booth today. I will be there about 2:30 scrummaging around many of these booths. But your located at the Texas Home and Garden Show today and tomorrow.

Mr. Burman: Correct. At the CompUSA...

Mr. Garfield: ...technology booth. And I know I'm going to be hanging around right around there. GoldX™. Steve Burman, thank you very much.

From JDI Technologies with GoldX™ products. If you're out and about--take a look at the Web site. But if you're at the Texas Home and Garden Show, take a look at this because this stackable system is neat. It's going to catch your eyes. And I tell you, it's going to stop a lot of the clutter in and around your office and home.

Mr. Burman: And I appreciate you letting me stop in on the show.

Mr. Garfield: Thank you very much.

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