We used a DataIO 2700 for a long time for production programming, and a Needhams EMP-20 for engineering. We finally got to the point that DataIO wouldn't support their programmer (it was replaced by a new programmer, and no new algorithms were being developed for the older programmers).

I had started to run into a similar problem with the Needhams, but there it was a case of no new development for DOS-based software. At that point I gave my EMP-20 to production where they can use it for what they need to program, and got myself a new EMP-21 (basically an EMP-20 with Windows software and a USB interface).

I'll have to say I'm not terribly impressed with the Needhams Windows software, with the DOS version we had all sorts of macros set up so programming was a single-key operation. This macro capability isn't available with Needhams Windows (although that may have changed, it's been awhile since I looked), the software is kinda dumb and slow. But it works.

I don't have a problem with the SIMM configuration boards. It makes a lot more sense to me, and is a whole lot cheaper, than the mass of relays DataIO used to accomplish the same thing.

All new projects are being developed using uCs that support ISP. I've developed a couple of uC-based (no PC required) programmers that utilize the ISP interface, basically they are firmware "copiers."

Dennis