News

TARGET 3001! Version 11 available
March 2004: The new TARGET 3001! Version 11 ist now available as PCB-POOL®Edition. What's new? Setting a panel, Generation of testing points for measurements, Solderstop/Solderpaste to be set individually for any pad/via, Solderpaste, New Hybrid-Autorouter.... and much more.. Get your free update from SERVICE->DOWNLOAD

Is everthing new ?
August 2003: Check out our new Web presentation with lots of handy functions. Stencil-shopping is now even easier at Beta-LAYOUT. Have fun Surfing and Shopping ! Your Beta LAYOUT team

The odd exception
May 2003: In the specialist German magazine PLUS, May 2003 issue, solderpaste stencils were examined: "...That this can work differently has been proven by the success of the stencil service offered by Beta LAYOUT."

New file formats
February 2003: Two new Dataformats accepted in PCB-POOL®: QUICKROUTE Users and EASY-PC Users can now send their *.PCB files to us. Good news for EDWIN Users: EDWIN files are once more being accepted.

Beta LAYOUT welcomes its 10,000th customer!
January 2003: Despite the downturn in the electronics industry over the past year, there is still good news for some. This downturn has lead to an industry wide cut in funding for electronics design. Previous levels of boom-time budgeting are past. In its solution to the prototype market, a Shannon based company has conversely seen an increase in both sales and new custom. Based in the Shannon Free Zone, Beta LAYOUT recently welcomed their 10,000th customer to the Shannon facility. On placing the 10,000th order, the customer became the grand prize winner. Based in Germany, Mr. Matthias Mayer is involved with a company who specialises in electronic measuring devices. Managing Director of Beta LAYOUT, Elizabeth Nolan, had this to say "Mr Meyer represents our profile customer. He is working in a small, but highly technical research and development company. We are delighted to offer this prize to such a valued customer". The prize consisted of a completely free weekend for two people. This included flights, accommodation, champagne reception and chauffeured transport. With the assistance of Aer Rianta, the staff of Beta LAYOUT offered a champagne reception in the Airport when the passengers disembarked on Thursday evening. Caroline Noonan, Sales and Marketing Manager with Beta LAYOUT was very impressed with the service – "we could not have achieved such a warm welcome for our guests had it not been for Mr. Pat O’Connell and his team. They assisted in whatever way they could, and made the reception more professional and enjoyable for all". Following the airport, the winners were taken to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. Again, they were greeted by the Managing Director of the Old Ground Hotel, Mr Alan Flynn, and the welcome was in the true Irish spirit – warm, generous and sincere. The winners were also offered a night in Bunratty, and a trip around the breathtaking Clare Atlantic coastline, which was recently voted among the 5 most beautiful trips in Europe.

FASTER!
November 2002: Delivery time of SerieXXS has been reduced from 15 working days to 10. This means the turnaround is 33.333333333% faster!

Everything remains different
September 2002: No need to worry! It's only a new term which has been introduced by our marketing department: fast turnaround premium is now called basic price factor. Prices have not been changed.

Have faith!
July 2002: "Have faith..." we thought to ourselves after we decided to launch our customer order evaluation service. We would like to underline that the graphics for this page are generated every night and show only the data from the ORIGINAL databank! That means that none of our customers' comments are "sweetened", left out or edited! Could there be any better way of finding out whether or not something is worth buying than by taking a look at the order evaluations of 10,000 customers? Take a look for yourself: customer evaluations

0.15mm (6mil) / 0.15mm (6mil)
June 2002: It has been accepted for a long time, but now it's official: the minimum required airgap for doublesided PCBs in PCB-POOL® (except Target-next-day-delivery) has been reduced from 0.2mm (8mil) to 0.15mm (6mil). Likewise, the minimum required track width has been reduced from 0.2mm (8mil) to 0.15mm (6mil).

another super offer from Beta LAYOUT!
May 2002: In cooperation with Ing.-Büro FRIEDRICH: FREE layout software: TARGET 3001! PCB-POOL® Edition (6.83MB updated Version from 2002 for Win9X/Win2000/XP) Not just a "sketch" program like the one currently on offer from a certain US competitor, this all-inclusive software package runs at a normal retail price of EUR 1,500. The package includes the following: Circuit layout Simulation Schematic Autoplacer Autorouter EMV-Analysis NOT a demo-version NO pin restrictions UNLIMITED size Output for PCB-POOL® only

Now on offer!
March 2002: Due to popular demand, we are now offering single sided boards in PCB-POOL®. For details on pricing, please see our homepage under "Prototypes".

New discount program
February 2002: Join in! Let us know how happy you are with your boards. Evaluate your delivery by its quality and punctuality. When you have entered 5 order evaluations, you receive a 10% discount on one item on your next order!

Now on offer!
November 2001: OK, so it's not that exciting ... but it's worth a mention! Silkscreen is now available in standard lead time in Multilayer Pool.

Fast-Turnaround in 2 and 3 days
October 2001: You need your printed circuit boards faster? We have extended our express service for double-sided prototypes to a 2 and 3-day service. Please note that the cut-off time for receipt of order + data for 2 & 3 day turnarounds is 08.30 am GMT!!

Online order tracking
September 2001: You are up to date straight away: You receive a link with your on-line order confirmation to allow you request an update on your job status. The output information contains the name of the person who processed your order, the name of your CAM-OPERATOR and tells you the exact status of your order from order entry to delivery to your front door!

Summer Party 2001
July 2001: It was simply fantastic! Here is an excerpt from email which was received after the celebration: "... you did not promise me too much, the Beta Party was absolutely g... (censored) !!! Super people, super music, excellent food, cool Guinness and much more. Thank you for the invitation ..." Whoever does not believe us can take a look at the following pictures: Pictures, afternoon Pictures, evening Pictures, band "The Semi Conductors"

Relocation in Ireland
June 2001: Too crowded again, already (see April 1998)? Yes, in Ireland it was time for the second relocation. The new office was officially opened at a ceremony by Shannon Development (an Irish government agency). Reason enough to celebrate the evening with the national refreshment - Guinness!

Online quotation service
March 2001: Do you urgently require a PCB-POOL® price quotation? Not a problem! Simply use our online calculation program and click on the "printer version" button on your quotation. You can of course also proceed with an order if you wish.

Beta LAYOUT GmbH is ISO 9002 certified
February 2001: Beta LAYOUT GmbH is now ISO 9002 (Nr: 01 100 004044 TÜV Rheinland/Berlin Brandenburg) certified.

PCB-BROKER.COM is launched
February 2001: With PCB BROKER one of the most modern European trading platforms was launched on time on the internet. Using the most up-to-date information technology, PCB BROKER is an independent online market place for bare circuit boards. The aim is to bring suppliers and those interested in purchasing boards together on a common trade and communication platform. This achieves greater market transparency which in turn guarantees you an optimised, more cost effective, quick, easy and fair .

Anonymous FTP
November 2000: Due to the fact that our free FTP upload area has been continually used by hackers as a free software, we have unfortunately been forced to discontinue our anonymous FTP service. To send us your files, please use the upload service on our website or call us at ++353 (0)61 701170. You will then receive our new IP address over the phone as well as a username and password which will allow you to continue to send your files to us by FTP.

FTP address changed
May 2000: Note re. FTP server: our old FTP address 195.52.220.252 is no longer in use as we have moved server. Please use our new IP number 213.198.12.211

Multilayer service improved
March 2000: Cheaper, better, quicker. 4MLs are now available 20% cheaper, 5 days quicker and on request are also available in 7 working day express service. Now that all PCB-POOL® brochures have been changed to the Euro currency, prices for Series XXS and soldermask have been rounded to the next even amount in cent. Only our flat rate route charge has been rounded up by a "whole" EUR 0.24 to EUR 12.00. Good news - good buy!

LASER-STENCILS
February 2000: We have extended our service! In addition to your printed cirucit board, we can now supply you with a laser cut stencil. In order to meet your requirements to the highest standards, we have invested in a brand-new laser stencil cutting machine from the company LPKF. Our Laser-Stencil webseite www.laser-stencil.com offers the familiar conveniences: online calculation, file-upload and (another) FAQ page. Your Laser Stencil questions can be answered for free on the Laser Stencil Hotline on 0800-SCHABLONE (0800-7242256). A discount of 20% is available on first-time orders - offer available up to 15.03.2000

BETA LAYOUT GmbH - nominated for the German Internet Award
February 2000: CE-BIT 2000 trade fair, 25.02.2000, Beta LAYOUT received a prize from the German Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Werner Mueller for its customer orientation, innovation and successful economic employment of its homepage. An independant jury picked Beta-LAYOUT from a group of 598 contenders as one of ten companies nominated for the prize which was awarded this year for the first time. It should be emphasized that Beta LAYOUT sucessfully uses the internet on a daily basis as a sales platform, as opposed to the majority of nominated contenders whose main business was software or some form of internet service. The aim this year of awarding the above mentioned prize was to promote electronic commerce or electronic business on the internet. According to the Bundesminister Mr Mueller, the awards should help highlight the importance of increased internet use among medium sized companies. The competition, a part of the Bundes government's campaign entitled "Innovation and jobs in the Information Technology sector of the 21st century", will take place annually over the next 5 years using various themes and providing best-practice examples for small and medium sized companies (SMC's) for innovative internet progress.

Euro conversion
January 2000: After - thankfully- not having had any problems with the Y2K Bug, the next test we face this year is the conversion to the Euro. We have already adapted our web pages to suit the new currency. The good news for our customers is that one Eurocard does not cost the actual converted price of EUR 50.62, but only EUR 49.00 instead! Again a (small) cost saving for the electronic developer.

E-Test at POOL prices
November 1999: It can be safely said that with complex and densely printed circuit boards, a visual check is insufficient. In electrical testing, all connections on your printed circuit board are checked for opens and shorts. Up until now, testing using a flying probe was inordinately expensive. The good news is however, that PCB-POOL® has dramatically cut the costs yet again! You can now have your boards electrically tested for the following prices:

Redesign of Beta LAYOUT Homepage
October 1999: After countless hours of development and testing, our new homepage was finally launched today. Containing over 250 web pages, you will find all you need to know on PCB-POOL. The highlight is the online calculation and order system.

Lower shipping costs
September 1999: A short but sweet message: following some hard baragaining with our courier service, we can now announce a cut in our shipping costs! This price reduction will of course be passed on in full to you our customers. The new pricing will come into effect from mid September: standard parcel service (not express) for parcel up to 2kg's - was DM 13.80 now DM 10.80

PCB-Pool Germany starts partnership with Conrad Electronic Germany
September 1999: To accompany its promotion in the current Conrad catalogue, PCB Pool launched its on-line order form on the Conrad website today.

10th anniversary celebration pictures
July 1999: Many thanks for all the good wishes and gifts received and for the great party atmosphere! For the record: 350 sausages, 150 steaks and 100 Vegi-burgers were washed down with lots of Guinness! The band was superb and everyone enjoyed themselves. In short, it was a great event! Words can't really describe the wonderful atmosphere so have a look at our photos from the afternoon and evening and see for yourself! Last but not least, a particularly big thank you to our hardworking helpers at the bar and at the barbequ, to the band "In Between" for their top class performance, to Brian for entertaining everyone with his Irish folk songs and to the entire team for the birthday cake!

Party time - Beta LAYOUT 10th anniversary
June 1999: On 16. July 1999 the big Beta LAYOUT party is taking place! All customers are very welcome! A great atmosphere, endless GUINNESS, succulent steaks and live band "In BETWEEN" are all on offer! On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our faithful customers. Without them, we would not be celebrating our 10th anniversary! It is a special pleasure for me that PCB-POOL®, a crazy idea of a shared costs system for electronic developers, has become a synonym for prototyping. Let's share a toast to this idea! Arne Hofmann

Special offer for first time customers
April 1999: Special offer! All first time users of the new Discovery shareware receive a 20% discount on their first PCB produced with this software. This offer was only available up to 31st July 1999

We have reduced our delivery time
March 1999: GOOD NEWS: We have reduced our standard delivery time for doublesided POOL prototypes from approx. 15 WD to ... not 13 ... not 12 ... but approx. 10 WD ! And ... the price remains the same ! :-)) So, get yourself a copy of the new order form (included in your delivery)

We offer Extended-Gerber drivers for Target
February 1999: You remember our news from March 1998? Well, the extended-gerber driver for Target is now ready. Download it from the Target homepage!

Shareware for electronic designers
January 1999: New! Lots of shareware for electronic designers on our server. See DOWNLOAD.

pcb-pool.com moved to Germany
January 1999: Higher speed web pages: We have moved our WebSpace to a server in Frankfurt with 155MBit connection.

We have installed a search engine on our homepage
January 1999: We have installed a search-engine on our webpage ... in German only, for the moment ... Sorry!.

We accept MAX-Files
December 1998: ORCAD™ users have reason to smile! We now accept *.MAX files!

We have extended our homepage
August 1998: 3 new web pages have been launched: NEWS (This page), FAQ - Questions and Answers about PCB-POOL® - and illustrated instructions to help with loading Gerber- and Drill data to GC-Prevue. (section DOWNLOAD)

We are testing Gerber/Drill interface
July 1998: Testing of the Gerber/Drill interface from ORCAD™ software is now under way in order to be able to accept *.MAX files in PCB-POOL® in the future. The company HOSCHAR was kind enough to make a copy of the software package LAYOUT PLUS available to us.

Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland is moving
April 1998: Things are moving on in Ireland! Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland has moved to a new business premises in the Shannon Free Zone.

We process PROTEL(tm) PCB-Files directly
April 1998: Another new Data format for PCB-POOL®: PROTEL™. Customers can now send their *.PCB file to us. Many thanks to Dr. Heinrich Kunz from PROTEL EUROPE AG who made this possible and who made the software available to us.

Founding of Beta Board GmbH
March 1998: Founding of Beta BOARD GmbH. The purposes of this new venture are two fold: 1. to have our own supplier for time sensitive PCB-POOL® orders and 2. to research the area of multipanel manufacture with the aim of improving and optimising our supplier network.

We process Target Files directly
March 1998: In response to the many enquiries received from Target software users, we now recognise Target as an accepted software in PCB-POOL®. Herr Friedrich from the Target office is currently working on an extended Gerber driver for us and will also be working to perfect (and simplify) copper plane output.

You can order online
July 1997: You can now order your PCBs ONLINE!

Founding of Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland
March 1997: Founding of Beta LAYOUT Ltd. in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Our Irish office will supply CAM support to Beta Germany as well promote PCB-POOL® in Ireland and the UK.

We have moved to our new location
July 1996: Our German office has moved to a spacious premises in the village of Aarbergen in the beautiful Taunus region, western Germany.

Beta LAYOUT GmbH
January 1996: Beta LAYOUT becomes a limited liability company (GmbH). The aim of the company is the layout and sale of PCBs and the provision of services geared towards the electronic / PCB-Industry.

PCB-POOL® became a registered trademark
September 1995: Registration of PCB-POOL® with the 'Deutschen Patentamt München' ( the German patent office in Munich), trademark number 395 11 162.

Internet presentation was launched
August 1995: We now have our own website under www.pcb-pool.com!

The 1000th PCB-POOL® participant!
July 1995: The 1000th PCB-POOL® participant!

Founding of PCB-POOL®
June 1994: Founding of PCB-POOL®.

Founding of Beta LAYOUT GbR
January 1989: Founding of Beta LAYOUT as a GbR. The aim of the company is to produce Layout PCBs.