Background on Toyota Technical Center's Electronic Mailbox System

The Toyota Technical Center ("TTC") has an advanced electronic mailbox system to provide its suppliers and customers with a low cost method for transferring native mode TDEX/CAELUM binary and IGES CAD file data formats over standard dial-up telephone lines into their TCX (Toyota CAD eXchange) mailbox system.

CTI provides the Toyota remote client with an easy to learn, easy to use menu driven Client software package and related hardware interface that supports the TTC Central mailbox system (that was also provided to TTC by CTI).  The supplier can directly send and/or receive CAD files from TTC through this sophisticated mailbox system using CTI's FastSync Client software and necessary modem hardware.  CTI has implemented an advanced safety and authentication system for TTC to maintain maximum data security.  Here’s a typical interface overview:

• A Client software package, along with appropriate hardware, is configured onto to typical PC operating either Windows 95, 98 or NT.   The PC is is then linked into one or more OEM Mailbox systems established by the TTC Server Administrator.  Your TDEX/CAELUM & IGES CAD files are automatically routed to and from a specified CAD Workstation over a TCP/IP network.

To see a list of Automotive suppliers who are using various CTI electronic mailbox interfaces including the TCX system, click here.

Your Communications Interface

Most of CTI’s mailbox users find "front-ending" either their mainframe computer system or CAD workstation network with a PC Communications Server system the perfect solution for interfacing into various workstation platforms on your company's local area network (LAN).

A PC based "Communications Server" interface is usually better because it:

1. Processes in-bound and out-bound files approximately twice as fast as a direct workstation installation;
2. Relieves the individual CAD workstations from unnecessary productivity losses due to incoming CAD files that diminish valuable CAD processing time from the CPU;
3. Provides a lower cost and faster maintenance turn-around; Provides up-front cost savings;
4. Provides direct and secure TCP/IP links into other Unix Workstations (like IBMs, SUNs, HPs, SGI’s and DECs) as part of a corporate enterprise network.   And, when not being used for mailbox purposes, the TCP/IP stack can be used to make a connection to the Internet; and
5. Costs less in terms of burden - puts communications onto a $10/hour PC versus a $45/hour CAD type workstation.

System Component Overview

There are three basic components within the PC oriented CTI Communications Server Gateway interface system:

1. CTI’s FastSync Hub Remote User Interface Software comes with a deluxe menu driven "pick-file" interface with full Restart Capability and day of week and/or 24 hour clock Scheduling Capability;
2. Synchronous & Asynchronous Modem & Software Package - includes: CTI's SyncPack 2000e combination V.34+ (33,600 bps synchronous and 115,200 bps async modem) plus CTI's FastSync^® 3780 data communications software (now Y2K Compliant), known to be the world's fastest Remote Job Entry (RJE) software, bundled standard with CTI’s Remote Access software; and
3. Data Compression and Expansion Software.

System Overview

Telephone Interface

The TTC’s TCX Central Hub mailbox system operates over standard, dial-up Bell type lines at speeds up to 33,600 bps.

Site Preparation

Install a standard dial-up (switched) telephone line. Usually you cannot effectively operate through your company's PBX or a Centrex telephone system.   Therefore, have the telephone technicians bypass your in-house PBX telephone system and install a POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) analog line.  In Canada, a Data Grade Line works best.

A Comment Regarding CTI's FastSync Mailbox System^® for Large Tier One Suppliers and Engineering Centers

CTI markets a high-speed Client/Server oriented computer store-and-forward mailbox and data communications management system.  This FastSync Mailbox System is similar to the system used by the Toyota Technical Center to accommodate their host site and remote site communications.  We mention this for the benefit of any other large OEM or Tier I supplier who may have a similar need to send CAD files to their suppliers/vendors and customers. Kindly telephone us if you would like to discuss this system in more detail.

Click here for details.

Testimonials - from two CTI mailbox users. . .

"Modern Engineering purchased your CTI [mailbox] system in 1993 to transfer data to Chrysler.  When TOYOTA asked if we would be a beta site for their new electronic CAD exchange system using a similar CTI interface, we jumped at the opportunity because it eliminates the time consuming and costly use of mag-tapes and 3rd party delivery services to meet program deadlines. Your system is very fast.  It is run through a PC networked into our corporate LAN where the CAD files are transferred to our mainframe computer system so the designer doesn’t have to become involved with the communications side of the business.  We also use your system to transfer CAD files to other 3rd party suppliers. You can use Modern Engineering as a very satisfied customer."

Paul Patonis, Modern Engineering, (Warren, MI)

"Before we started using the new Chrysler CTX mailbox system, it took us approximately 5 to 8 hours daily to download 4Mb to 8Mb of compressed CATIA CAD files from the IBM Information Network.  Using your system, we now pull down our CAD files in about 45 minutes, and that's without using any type of data compression.  In some cases we've picked up a whole days improvement getting the production part data to our CAD/CAM development platforms. Further, our costs are now only a fraction of what they used to be. I've installed your CADX system on a 386/40 PC which has an Ethernet & TCP/IP connection to an RS/6000.  This frees-up our RISC 6000 system to be used only for production purposes.  I can push a 10Mb CATIA file from the PC to my CATIA seat [over TCP/IP using FTP] in about 28 seconds.  It's very fast, and I pretty much do it all automatically through batch files on the PC and shell scripts on the RISC 6000. Thanks for your excellent product!"

Joe Gulian - Ronart Industries (Detroit, MI).

Key Purchase Considerations

Here's why knowledgeable Systems Administrators choose the CTI package...

• Saves money.  Eliminates the need for using either floppy disks or mag-tapes for sending/receiving your CAD files.  Eliminates the need to incur expensive overnight delivery costs.
• Secure.  The TTC mailbox system has several levels of firewall security including mainframe 3780 protocol, login I.D., password, callback, and a special type of synchronous token based authentication encryption. No other automotive mailbox system in the world has a more secure virtual private network (VPN).
• Fast - no faster dial-up mailbox system in the industry.  Saves substantial time and money and the system using standard dial-up telephone lines.   Currently operates at up to 28,800 bps.
• Flexible - a user not only has a mailbox assigned for their specific company’s use, but also the system allows for sending files to any other company using the TTC’s TCX system as well. [such “super-hub” capability must be approved by the Central Hub administrator at TTC]
• Pick your files to either send or receive from an on-screen pick list - you never have to guess at the file names or make your own list or enter the names manually!  Using the screen pick list is especially helpful for prioritizing and obtaining files waiting in your mailbox.
• Sweep All files from your mailbox and then deliver files to TTC’s TCX system with a single telephone call.  Received file names can begin with alpha and/or numeric characters.
• Background Scheduling by day as well as by time allows you to use your computer for other tasks in between times.
• The CTI system automatically creates individual statistical monthly Log files for long term manageability.  Further, for reference purposes, the log file also ties all Toyota Technical Center comments and messages to your specific files.   Finally, the log file shows exact file sizes either sent and/or received.

Purchase Costs

Click here for an Order Form.   Use your BACK key to return to this page.  Please call us at 208-769-7000 with any questions.

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In 1977, Toyota Technical Center, USA (TTC) was
incorporated to support Toyota's North American
manufacturing functions, including engineering design
and development, U.S. parts and materials evaluation,
and technical research.

Today, TTC's facilities, located in Arizona, California,
Michigan and Washington, D.C., support our extensive
investment in research and development.