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ElectronicPartner and CE chain Medimax are combining buying activities, with a new purchasing structure aiming to increase efficiency and performance.

Heading the revised purchasing structure is board member Karl Trautmann, who describes the transformation as "an important step."

Former Medimax purchasing manager Olaf Heath will be responsible for Medimax distribution, while Michael Heller will lead ElectronicPartner sales. The two will report to ElectronicPartner CEO Jorg Ehmer.

"The restructuring combines our strengths in procurement and our expertise in marketing to clearly focus on our strategic brands," Ehmer says.

Go New Shopping Partners at ElectronicPartner

DRAMeXchange reports NAND flash memory product demand is still weak, and will remain so through H1 2012 as vendors fail to boost sales through more aggressive pricing strategies.

However the analyst predicts a more optimistic picture for H2 2012 thanks to 3 industry highlights-- ultrabooks, new mobile devices and USB 3.0.

Ultrabooks carrying Intel Ivy Bridge processors should hit the market in H2 2012. DRAMeXchange expects ultrabooks to boost NAND flash consumption due to the use of either hybrid or pure SSD solutions.

Vendors should also be launching new smartphone and tablet models on H2 2012, in order to take advantage of a traditionally strong sales seasons. Smartphones and tablets use around 50% of NAND flash capacity, stimulating demand momentum.

Finally the USB 3.0 device market will take advantage of PCs carrying Ivy Bridge processors launching during the period-- bringing more consumer recognition of USB 3.0 products. DRAMeXchange predicts USB 3.0 retail prices will decrease "significantly" as controller chip product and flash drive makers migrate to 2ynm-class process technology.

Go DRAMeXchange: Slow Season Effect Continues

PC Case Modder Takes Computer Design Beyond the Dull Gray Box

Jeffrey Stephenson surrounded by several of his computer designs. He is a fan of the Mid-Century Modern designs depicted in the AMC TV series Mad Men-- he is working on a project to tie into the season premiere of the cable series.

By day, Jeffrey Stephenson works as an information technology professional, but in his free time, he's better known as "slipperyskip." That's his Twitter handle and the name he uses on computer hardware forums where he posts about how he transforms retro furniture and antique appliances-- he once turned an Elvis microphone into a fully functioning PC. His handcrafted designs have made him a celebrity in many computer hardware circles and a living legend among PC modders.

Taking care of house plants should not too difficult, right? Koubachi believes could be even easier-- by using a Wifi Plant Sensor to give your customers' plants a voice.

Users stick the sensor in the soil, where it measures soil moisture, temperature and light. Acting a bit like a Withings Scale for plants, it measures data (saving it on the cloud-based "Koubachi Plant Care Engine") and sends out alerts over wifi network or smartphone app to let users know when and how the plant needs care.

Koubachi says the sensor uses "individual plant care models," comes pre-calibrated and works in all common substrates. Setup is apparently painless (requiring a few simple steps) and power comes through x2 standard AA batteries with a battery life the company claims is over 1 year.

Go Koubachi Wifi Plant Sensor