A 4870 - December 11, 1998

In preparation for the implementation of the new ACATS system on Monday, January 25, 1999, NSCC will have the first of two Dress Rehearsal Weekends starting on Friday Dec. 18, 1998. NSCC plans to simulate as close as possible the timings that will occur during the weekend when the new system is implemented. The files and reports available during the Dress Rehearsal will be the result of ACATS production data from end of day Friday, December 18, 1998 converted to the new formats. The converted production data will overlay the test database that participants have been using since November 16^th. The conversion files and reports are similar to the conversion output that was available to participants in October for a three week period. The files and reports will be utilizing the production Autoroute IDs of the new system and will be automatically sent via Autoroute to participants who have been set up to receive the new production output. NSCC expects the conversion output to be available on Saturday, December 19^th between noon and 2:00pm (EST). The AutoRoute Products that are part of this test are:

For those firms that have been set up to receive the new ACATS production AutoRoute Products via PCWeb Direct, NSCC will direct this output to PCWeb Direct.

Please refer to the following section that details who and when to contact for questions regarding the output or for re-reruns of the transmissions.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
Friday, December 18, 1998	NOON (EST)	Cutoff for all testing in new system. NSCC will process only 3 cycles of test data on Fri. 12/18 instead of the regular 5 cycles.
	2:00 pm	New system end of day files and reports available from test data received on 12/18 through noon.
	3:00pm	Current ACATS Production End of Day for 12/18 overlays test database. Note: Since test database is overlaid, responses to inquiries regarding participant test data submitted prior to and on 12/18 will be limited after this time.
Saturday, December 19, 1998	NOON – 2:00 pm	New AutoRoute Products automatically released and transmitted to participants. End of day 12/18 production converted to new formats: 02090718; 02090724; 02090711
	NOON -Midnight	SIAC Enterprise Services & application development phone support to respond to participant inquiries (212)383-4829 (212)383-2623
	NOON-Midnight	SIAC Network Operations available for re-runs of conversion output. (212)383-2210
Sunday, December 20, 1998	8:00 am – 4:00 pm	SIAC Enterprise Services & application development phone support to respond to participant inquiries. (see numbers above) Note: These numbers will not be available after 4:00pm on Sunday.
	12:01am-midnight	SIAC Network Operations available for re-runs.
Monday, December 21, 1998	12:01am-8:00 am	SIAC Network Operations available for re-runs.
	8:00am-4:00 pm	Participants submit new test data that will be added to their converted production data from 12/18. Resume processing 5 cycles on 12/21.

Earlier this fall, NSCC sent all the ACATS Co-ordinators a request to provide updated participant profile information which will be used in the new system. Firms were requested to supply this information prior to the start of participant system test on November 16^th. However, NSCC has not received this form back from all the participants.

For any participant that plans to receive their ACATS output via PC WebDirect, this form must be completed with the appropriate Autoroute Products that you want routed to PCWeb Direct.

Since the new system has all new Autoroute Products, participants must advise their Account Manager which Autoroute Products they want to receive. The list of products are on the form. Please complete and return as soon as possible so your firm can be set up prior to the implementation of the new system. If this information is not received, output will not be directed to PCWeb Direct on your behalf.

One of the features of the new system is that NSCC will automatically send any non-CNS DTC eligible asset in a Deliver Order format to DTC. This will reduce manual processing on the part of the participant. For items sent to DTC, NSCC will not produce separate Receive and Deliver Instructions to the participants.

Some firms have requested that they want NSCC to continue to generate Receive and Deliver Instructions and they want to continue to make the delivery themselves at DTC. Those firms that want to continue to process the Deliver Orders themselves, must advise NSCC on the profile form by indicating a YES for DTC DO Override. If a firm does not return the profile form or if they return the form with a NO for DTC DO Override, NSCC will generate a DO on behalf of the firm.

Please note that this override only applies to Deliver Orders. As long as the delivering firm wants NSCC to send the Deliver Order to DTC, the transaction will be sent to DTC, even if the receiving firm had chosen not to have NSCC automatically create their Deliver Orders. Therefore, firms who do not want NSCC to automatically create Deliver Orders for them should be prepared to receive transactions at DTC if they are the receiving participants, as is the current process.

Any questions pertaining to this notice should be directed to the undersigned at (212) 412-8686 or E-Mail at emeringolo@nscc.com. Questions regarding the participant profile form can be directed to your NSCC Account Manager.