TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet, a feature of EDI Services, enables Information Exchange subscribers to use either Managed Data Network Services or the Internet for sending and receiving FTP files through the Information Exchange mailbox.

TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet is designed to help you increase participation in your EDI program through solutions that are easy for trading partners to implement. These services can help extend your reach to small- and medium- sized trading partners around the world who do not have the resources required for traditional EDI systems.

Using the TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet, trading partners can use their existing systems to send and receive business transactions to you using Information Exchange. All users of the gateway must also be registered users of Information Exchange. Trading partners can access Information Exchange using the same methods they use for other FTP communications.

In general, the TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet provides the following:

• FTP interface to Information Exchange
• Support for sending and receiving both EDI and free-format data files between authorized Information Exchange customers
• Additional value-added functions of Information Exchange

The TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet can provide an easy-to-implement solution for trading partners who already have a high-bandwidth LAN (local area network) connection to the Internet. With this service, trading partners need only a suitable FTP client, an Internet connection, and a subscription to the Information Exchange service. Other than fees paid to the Internet service provider (ISP), trading partners do not pay network charges. For the EDI Services hub company, it is "business as usual," but the reach extends to a broader range of trading partners.