Communication to Maritime Community – 29 May 2008

CNS is planning to upgrade its systems infrastructure and Inventory Control System in a way that will cause minimal impact on user operations.

Stage One: Infrastructure Changes

What's changing?

The first stage of the process will be to upgrade the user access to CHIEF through CNS:

• CHIEF HCI
  This will now be a menu option from your web browser.



• CHIEF Messaging
  CNS customers who use freight forwarding software for submission of entries to CHIEF will need to have this software upgraded. CNS is working in partnership with the freight forwarding software houses to make the transition as smooth as possible.



• CHIEF Reports
  Once the upgrade is complete, you will be able to request CHIEF Reports by email, and your software will be able to collect reports directly.

How will CNS ensure continuity of service?

To ensure a smooth change over, the implementation of the new infrastructure will be a phased rollout on a customer by customer basis to protect the integrity of the service delivery during the transition.

Stage Two: Launch of CNS Compass

CNS Compass is the name for the new inventory system. The infrastructure upgrades, outlined above, will allow us to introduce CNS Compass, an intuitive and easy to understand system which can be available over the Internet.

How is CNS Compass different?

CNS Compass replicates the functionality of the current inventory system and is presented in a modern, browser-based environment. Although the layout and design of screens is different from the current system, there will be no change to the structure and content of EDI messaging.

CNS has been working with Sterling Commerce Ltd, a subsidiary of AT&T, to develop CNS Compass, which is an implementation based on the Sterling Commerce Logistics Management solution.

CNS has also been working with Sterling Commerce to deliver the successful upgrade of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messaging system to the Gentran Integration Suite (GIS) which is now complete. The EDI messaging system will interface with CNS Compass. Click here to read more about the EDI upgrade.

Will there be training for CNS Compass?

More information on training and the transition programme for CNS Compass will be available soon.

How much is it going to cost me?

CNS will not increase any charges to its customers as a result of these infrastructure and application changes.

When is this going to happen?

The infrastructure upgrade and the introduction of CNS Compass will take place during Q3 and Q4 of 2008. A more detailed timetable will be available soon.

If I have any questions who do I ask?

Tel:  0845 658 9930
Email address:  helpdesk@cnsonline.net