The CTI Value Added Network (CTI's I.P.VAN) was developed for Companies, Institutions, Law Offices, Medical Billing operations, and anyone who need to send and/or receive large data files (like engineering drawings) to other companies, divisions, or locations, but who do not want to invest and/or administer the central server system themselves.  The I.P.VAN generally operates over standard dial-up telephone lines using V.34+ modems (generally 24,000 to 33,600 bits per second).  The Value-Added-Network hub itself can be configured to operate as a "super-hub" where some or all of the clients can send parcels to different client mailboxes on the VAN (rather than to only one trading partner like most other VANs).  Our VAN is represented in the box below:

Electronic Mailbox System Overview

The CTI’s Value Added Network gives companies, divisions, departments, offices, financial institutions or other types of operations a way to exchange data files quickly between outside locations using high-speed modems --- no more delivering paper documents, floppy disks, cutting mag-tapes or midnight deliveries.   The CTI-VAN is a powerful Data Management and Store-and-Forward Mailbox System that supports very secure and reliable data transmissions.

The CTI-VAN operates over standard dial-up telephone lines at up to 230,400 bps asynchronous (depending upon the particular modem bank) using TCP/IP.  Assuming good plain old analog phone lines, an enhanced serial port and the same selected modems at both ends, the I.P. mailbox system will allow a 1 megabyte file to transfer in about 1 minute.  Using high-speed wireless it's possible to download over 30 megabytes in a minute (see Speed).

Several thousand companies are using or have used CTI’s various high-speed synchronous data communications packages. Within the Manufacturing Industry for example, hundreds of Tier One suppliers have at least one of CTI’s remote mailbox packages to exchange their CAD files with OEMs like General Motors, Chrysler and Toyota. The CTI-VAN allows these companies to easily exchange files, without the burdens or two-call charges of traditional forms of remote data transfer. If supplier “A” needed to send a large CAD file to supplier “B,” supplier “A” would merely deliver the file to “B’s” mailbox on the CTI-VAN. Then, “B” would dial into the CTI-VAN and pick up the file from “B” company’s mailbox whenever convenient.

System Details

CTI uses proven communications protocols, such as IBM 3780 BSC or TCP/IP, and enhances them to new dimensions to ensure the highest possible throughput speed and reliability of mission-critical file transfers. The CTI-VAN has been uniquely engineered for ease of use with your trading partners or other clients. CTI makes the complex transfer process simpler by presenting easy-to-learn and easy-to-use menus.

Your local PC workstation has a special client user software interface along with communications software and hardware for communicating with the CTI-VAN mailbox system.

Each company (and/or individual) is assigned an individual mailbox identification code and password. At your convenience, you call into the CTI-VAN and request a list of files waiting in your assigned electronic mailbox. You can use this list of files to select which files to download from the CTI-VAN. Or, request that all of your files be automatically downloaded. If you want to send, rather than receive data, you are prompted for information such as the local file name to be sent, along with the remote destination mailbox name(s) where you wish to send files.

Each file sent to a CTI-VAN mailbox is associated with an optional "comment" file. The comment file can contain a simple description of the file contents, or anything else agreed upon by both the sender and receiver of the data.

As an additional feature, you can save time and productivity by automatically checking to see if a file you have sent has been picked up by the receiving party.

Failed file transfers can be resumed at the point of failure if the initial attempt to send or receive the file is interrupted for any reason. There is no need to repeat any portion of the file already transmitted if some problem prevents the entire file from being sent completely. This is a major advantage over other 3rd Party Value Added Networks, especially when transferring large files.

Communications Interface

The VAN system is designed to use very fast synchronous and/or asynchronous modems over either standard analog (PSTN) or ISDN [Digital] phone lines.  Some clients in business environments will use a Router that usually means an ISDN connection into the VAN.

On the Server side, the VAN has been designed to maximize the transfer of data between the Server and the remote Clients.  CTI's own VAN has been set-up with an internal MultiTech V.90 (56Kbps) 8-Port Modem Board.  The actual data throughput will depend upon the type and quality of the data line, the number of modems and/or terminal adapters connecting, along with the type of file (text vs. binary) plus other factors.

Speed

A typical dial-in client using a V.34, 28,800 bits per second modem over a standard analog phone line should be able to transfer a 1MB CAD file transfers in about 4.5 minutes.  However, if you have a second modem to use and an extra phone line, then you can connect using MultiLink Point-to-Point Protocol (supported in both Windows 95, 98 and NT Operating Systems) and send the same file in about 2 minutes.  Click here for more info on MLPPP.  Using a digital (128 Kbps) ISDN line is even faster. 

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.  If you can afford to use an ISDN connection, all the better.

Here are three (3) things that you MUST do before installing the standard Client program from the CD-ROM (note: you don't have to worry about this if you're using a Web Client browser interface):

1. Install TCP/IP Networking onto your computer - we cannot do this for you and it probably was not installed as part of your initial Windows 95 installation.  Windows 98 does install it on your system. You can install this protocol from your Windows disk(s) or CD-ROM.  If you don't know what we're talking about, please consult with your System Administrator.
2. Then, you must install Microsoft's Windows Dial-Up Networking (DUN) software - same thing as RAS "Remote Access Services" for Windows NT.  This can be installed from your existing Windows CD-ROM. 
3. In addition, you must have at least one modem installed and configured to work with the Dial-Up Networking software.  In Windows 95/98 and NT, modems are installed through the "My Computer" icon on your desk top, then the "Control Panel" icon, then the "Modems" icon.

If your don't follow these instructions and merely install the Mailbox System from the our CD-ROM before the other systems are installed, you will have to go through extra steps to create your own phonebook entry under Dial-Up Networking for "CTI-VAN" with the correct phone number and settings.  So please follow these simple instructions outlined above.

General Cost Overview
(Standard Client Interface)

• $25.00 per month (2 year minimum); plus
• $5.00 per Megabyte of data sent/received;

Plus a one time initial technical/connect charge. New CTI users using TCP/IP Windows based interface software would pay $995.

Note: These costs are in U.S. dollars and subject to change without notice.

Key Purchase Considerations

• Significant savings can be realized by avoiding the copying of floppy disks, mag-tapes or using costly 3rd party overnight delivery services.
• Fastest analog Mailbox packages in the industry. Saves substantial time and money over standard long distance telephone lines.
• Select files to receive from an on-screen pick-list --- never guess at names or have to enter the names manually! Using the on screen pick-list is especially helpful for prioritizing and obtaining files in your mailbox.
• Send files to multiple company mailbox destinations with a single call.

Background Scheduling

The CTI system automatically creates individual statistical monthly Log files for your long term audit trail manageability in reviewing past activity. For historical reference purposes, the CTI log ties all comments and messages to your specific files. Finally, the CTI log shows exact file sizes that were sent and/or received.