AES Broadcast  12/28/2007          Broadcast  #  2007036

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 New AESDirect Application Enhancements - January 28, 2008

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 **  This message is intended for AESDirect users only. ** 
           
         On January 28, 2008, all users of the AESDirect application who file 
         via the website at www.aesdirect.gov will notice several modifications 
         to provide greater flexibility in how they view and interact with the 
         system.  Particular focus has been directed on meeting the needs of 
         those users with disabilities and bringing the system into greater 
         compliance with world-wide industry standards of accessibility 
         and usability.
       

 Highlights of the enhancements that will be implemented on 
         January 28, 2008 include:

 - Ability to use alternative text (ALT text) as a textual 
         replacement for images
   
         - Greater accessibility for those using talking browsers and/or 
         screen readers 

 - Addition of symbols to differentiate mandatory, conditional 
         and optional fields

 - Ability to retrieve shipments by the Internal Transaction 
         Number (ITN)

 - Easier company profile maintenance

 - Addition of an Existing Shipment Warning

 - Addition of an Updated Rejected Status
       

For further information on the upcoming enhancements, please view 
         the following announcement at

http://www.aesdirect.gov/news/announcement_20071228.pdf

For further information or questions, contact the U.S. Census Bureau's 
         AES Branch at 1-800-549-0595, menu option 1 or at askaes@census.gov.