Will we need a separate work station for digital imaging?
A.
No. You can use the same work station for
other applications, but the digital imaging (DI) workstation must have the requisite
hardware and software requirements as defined on the Equipment Requirements list.
Q.
While viewing an image on-line, will we be able to produce a copy of
the image at our work site or are hard copies available only from FMS?
A.
Your organization will be able to produce a
check copy on the printer attached to your DI Workstation. To do this you will need a
printer with at least 4 MB of memory and a specific software application (see Equipment
Requirements list for full details). FMS will also provide hard copies of images an FPA is
authorized to access at the agency's request. The request may be made via on-line or batch
precessing.
Q.
Will digital images contain both the front and back of the check?
A.
Yes. Digital images will show both the
front and back of the check.
Q.
What is the minimum modem speed for DI?
A.
The minimum speed at which the system will
operate is 14,400, but 28,800 or higher is recommended (see Equipment Requirements list
for full details).
Q.
Will we be able to submit requests for DIs from all of our regional
sites, but have the images come back only to headquarters?
A.
No. Once an image is located on the DI
platform anyone who has the proper access profile may view the check image. In the
instance of someone from the field or regional office requesting an image, that person
will also be able to view that image. A person at headquarters may also view the image if
PACER On-Line security access allows him/her to do so. Security access is dependent upon
the clearance provided for a particular employee by agency management which is transmitted
to FMS via an Access Profile.
Q.
How frequently will FMS request images from the Federal Reserve System
(FRS)?
A.
The FRS maintains the archive of the
negotiated Treasury check images. As on-line requests for images are received from our
customers, FMS will place them in a queue and at least once an hour, send them to the FRS
for retrieval. FMS customers will be able to submit on-line requests for digital check
images Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) and 12:00
p.m. ET. Batch requests (via tape or telecom) from our customers will also be accepted and
will be processed overnight. This gives agencies the ability to request DIs either on-line
for quicker response or via batch requests for overnight work. It is anticipated that the
largest group of requests will be made via batch processing.
Q.
What is the location of the connectivity to obtain images?
A.
The location of the connectivity to request
and obtain images is Hyattsville, Maryland, where FMS's National Computer Center is
located.
Q.
What is the limitation on the number of images per minute, hour, day,
etc?
A.
Currently, there are no plans to impose
limits on the number of images that may be requested. The number of images that may be
transferred and viewed by an agency in any given time period is dependent on the modem
speed used to access PACER On-Line.
Q.
How many bytes are required to transmit one legal type image of a U.S.
Treasury Check?
A.
The average compressed size of each check
image is 40K. This includes both the front and the back of the check.
Q.
What costs will agencies incur for digital imaging and PACER On-Line?
A.
FMS will not charge an agency to utilize
PACER On-Line. Agencies may incur costs for the requisite hardware and software (see
Equipment Requirements list). The main charge to the user will be for telephone line usage
charges incurred while on-line, receiving or transmitting information. There is no charge
for DIs of checks that are less than 18 months old (since the check was issued). The only
charge payable to FMS will be a charge for check images that are older than 18 months
(following the date of issuance) which is also done in today's environment. The current
cost is $5.50. FMS is developing a cost strategy for check copies in an imaging
environment.
Q.
What is the time frame for receiving a digital image?
A.
The time for receiving a digital image
depends on how the image is requested (either on-line or batch), how long the image has
been on the FRB Archive, and whether or not the image has ever been requested before.
Images that have been requested before and are resident at the FMS DI platform will be
available IMMEDIATELY. Images that have been archived by the FRB in the preceding 6 months
will normally be available within a few hours. Images that have been archived for more
than 6 months will be available within 24 hours of the request.
Q.
Does PACER On-Line provide digital images of checks issued prior to
PACER On-Line going into production?
A.
No. PACER On-Line will provide digital
images for checks issued on or after the date production begins. For checks that were
produced prior to PACER On-Line operation, requests for copies of checks will be handled
the same as they are today.
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