West Data Capture supports five different methods for uploading files: FTP, the World Wide Web, Dial-up, Internet Email, and WESTSend. West Data Capture does not support anonymous file uploads, so please contact West Data Capture to establish a login name and password.

To minimize transfer time and to bundle multiple files together West Data Capture encourages Data Providers to compress their transmissions with one of three compression methods: PK-ZIP/Info-ZIP (.zip), GNU ZIP (.gzip or .gz), or UNIX compress (.Z). Utilities are available for DOS, Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh to read and write these compression formats. UNIX tar (.tar) archives are also supported. Macintosh users, please note that West Data Capture does not support StuffIt archives at this time.

Uploading using FTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is West Data Capture's preferred method for uploading 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 desktop to the remote system. An Internet connection and an FTP application are required to use FTP.

Uploading using the World Wide Web
West Data Capture allows data providers to send 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 transfer 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.

Uploading using Dial-Up connections
West Data Capture supports a dial-up Bulletin Board System for data providers to upload files. Due to lower reliability and slower transmission speeds, data providers 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.

Uploading using Internet Email
Data providers may email their files to West Data Capture, but there are limitations. Internet mail servers limit the size of attachments to 9 MB. Additionally, because of the nature of Internet email servers, email is a much less secure method of transferring files. Under rare circumstances, email may not reach its intended recipient. West Data Capture must establish a special email account if you wish to use email, so contact West Data Capture if you are interested. An Internet connection and email client are required to use Internet email.

Uploading using WESTSend
WESTSend is an application written by West Data Capture to simplify the process of uploading files to West Data Capture's Bulletin Board System (BBS). WESTSend is available for DOS and Windows 3.1/95/NT. West Data Capture supports WESTSend, but it is no longer being actively developed. Data Providers are urged to move to an Internet-based transmission method like FTP or the World Wide Web. An Internet connection is not required to use WESTSend, but a modem and WESTSend software are necessary. WESTSend software is available from West; contact West Data Capture if you are interested.