The information stored or assigned to a datacard cannot be accessed without the use of a datapad. A small computerized scanner, the datapad allows the user to read the contents of a datacard and transfer the instructions for production to other cards. What can be of even more value is the ability to copy the contents of a datacard, making theft of the highly valuable production schematics virtually untraceable. In addition the datapad serves a useful function for storing research data on various types of technology.