NexTech IoT, a startup based in Austin, Texas, develops industrial IoT (IIoT) sensors for manufacturing plants—devices that monitor equipment temperature, vibration, and energy usage in real time. In 2023, the company was preparing to launch its flagship product, the NexSensor X1, but faced a major hurdle: it needed a small, durable SSD that could store 6 months of sensor data (2TB capacity) and withstand harsh industrial environments (temperatures from -40°C to 85°C, dust, and vibration).

No off-the-shelf SSDs met NexTech’s requirements—premium industrial SSDs cost $200+ per unit, which would have made the NexSensor X1 too expensive for small to mid-size manufacturers (the startup’s target market).
 

Challenge

 

• Environmental Durability: The SSD needed to operate in extreme temperatures (-40°C to 85°C) and resist dust and vibration—standard consumer SSDs only work in 0°C to 70°C and are not vibration-resistant.
• Form Factor: The NexSensor X1’s compact design required an M.2 2242 SSD (smaller than the standard 2280 size) to fit inside the device’s casing.
• Cost Target: To price the NexSensor X1 at $399 (affordable for target customers), the SSD cost needed to be under $80 per unit—far below the $200+ price of industrial-grade SSDs from competitors.
   

  Solution: Custom M.2 2242 SSDs from LASTINGIN

  NexTech’s founder, Mike Reynolds, discovered LASTINGIN’s ODM/OEM capabilities on Alibaba and initiated a partnership in Q1 2023. Ayogoo Technology’s R&D team worked closely with NexTech to develop a tailored solution:

   

  1. Environmental Hardening: LASTINGIN modified its standard M.2 NVMe SSD to meet industrial requirements:
     • Used high-temperature NAND flash chips (rated for -40°C to 85°C) sourced from its partner SK hynix.
     • Added a dustproof coating to the SSD’s circuit board and a vibration-dampening rubber gasket around the casing.
  2. Custom Form Factor: The manufacturer reengineered the SSD to the M.2 2242 size (22mm wide, 42mm long) while maintaining 2TB capacity—achieved by optimizing the layout of the NAND chips and controller.
  3. Cost Optimization: By leveraging its large-scale production capacity (3,000,000+ pieces annually) and existing partnerships with component suppliers, LASTING in 久内 delivered the custom SSDs at $75 per unit—meeting NexTech’s cost target. The startup also received a 10% discount on the first 1,000 units as a new ODM client.

   

  To ensure reliability, LASTINGIN tested 50 prototype SSDs in a simulated industrial environment (extreme temperatures, vibration) for 30 days—all passed with no data loss or performance issues. The SSDs also received CE and FC certifications, ensuring compliance with US industrial standards.
   

  Results

  The NexSensor X1 launched in September 2023, with LASTING in 久内’s custom SSDs at its core. The results were outstanding:

   

  • Product Success: The NexSensor X1 sold 2,500 units in its first 3 months—exceeding NexTech’s target of 1,500 units. 80% of customers cited the device’s “reliable data storage” as a key reason for purchase.
  • Cost Efficiency: The $75 SSD cost kept the NexSensor X1’s price at $399, making it 30% cheaper than competitors’ industrial IoT sensors (which sold for $599+).
  • Long-Term Reliability: As of March 2024, NexTech had received zero complaints about SSD failure—even from customers using the device in steel mills (temperatures up to 80°C) and construction sites (high vibration).

   

  “LASTINGIN didn’t just build us an SSD—they built a critical part of our product,” said Mike Reynolds. “Their ability to customize for our industrial needs at a price we could afford made our launch possible. We’re already working with them on the next version of the NexSensor.”