West Data Capture supports three different methods for downloading files: FTP, World Wide Web, and Dial-up. West Data Capture does not support anonymous file downloads, so please contact West Data Capture to establish a login name and password.

Downloading using FTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is West Data Capture's preferred method for downloading files. Users may use any FTP client from any computing platform. The FTP server's address is westdcs.west.thomson.com. Anonymous FTP is not supported, so have your West Data Capture login name and password handy.

Several easy to use, graphical based clients are available for Windows and Macintosh. Many clients feature drag-and-drop interfaces that allow users to drag files directly from the remote system to your desktop. An Internet connection and an FTP application are required to use FTP.

Downloading using the World Wide Web
West Data Capture allows data providers to securely download files using Web browsers like Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. West Data Capture's web server uses the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to ensure the privacy of all transmissions. To download files using this method, connect to West Data Capture's web site (http://westdcs.west.thomson.com) and follow the instructions on the page. An Internet connection and an SSL-capable web browser are required to use West Data Capture's World Wide Web site. Both Netscape Navigator/Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are SSL-capable.

Downloading using Dial-Up connections
West Data Capture supports a dial-up Bulletin Board System for International Business Partners to download files. Due to lower reliability and slower transmission speeds, Business Partners are urged to switch to an Internet-based transmission method like FTP or the World Wide Web, if possible. An Internet connection is not required to use Dial-Up connections, but a modem and Terminal Emulation software are necessary.