AES Broadcast  12/15/2008          Broadcast  #  2008063

**********************************************************************

UPDATE:  AESDirect Account Administration Transition

**********************************************************************
       

 **  This message is intended for AESDirect program users only **

 
         On October 1, 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau and AESDirect Help Desk 
         began the process of moving all user accounts to the upgraded Account 
         Maintenance features. These changes were put in place to comply with 
         governmental standards and to bring greater security to user access to 
         your export data. These upgraded features include:

 - Expanded administration functionality
         - Individual usernames and passwords for all filers
         - Increased security to ensure your data is safe

 All AESDirect program users are currently being gradually phased into 
         the new procedures.  In addition, users may chose to make the upgrade 
         prior to the scheduled phase in. 

 By January 30, 2009, all AESDirect program users must make the upgrade 
         or be forced to upgrade.  The transition of your AESDirect Account to 
         the upgraded Account Maintenance features is driven by your password 
         expiration date.  Once the Account Password expires, the Administrator 
         will be forced to upgrade their AESDirect account if they have not 
         already done so.
   
         We encourage all AESPcLink application users to login to your Account
         via the AESDirect web site at www.aesdirect.gov to verify the number 
         of days remaining before the password expires on your Account. 

 We strongly encourage you to take this matter seriously and do not 
         wait until the January 30, 2009 deadline and risk being unable to 
         access your account leading to exporting delays. 

 For more information about the new Account Administration upgrade 
         please refer to the Account Administration User Guide.
   
         http://www.aesdirect.gov/support/userguide.html
   
         Be mindful that in order to maintain the increased security of AESDirect, 
         users are required to access their accounts at least every 45 days. By 
         January 30, 2009, users who have not accessed their accounts in the 
         past 45 days will be disabled. 

 For further information or questions, contact the AESDirect Help Desk 
         at 1-877-715-4433, or via e-mail at boc-support@tradegate2000.com