OATS Report - August 22, 2003

August 22, 2003

Firms have several options now available to them for the transmission of OATS data, which must be transmitted electronically to NASD by 4:00 a.m. the morning after a particular market day. There are currently four reporting mechanisms as detailed below. Firms are responsible for reporting in a timely manner and for monitoring and repairing rejections.

Private Network - Firms may transmit data over the OATS private network using either File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or CONNECT: Direct software. To transmit data using either FTP or CONNECT: Direct firms must first have in place a network circuit as provided by SAVVIS. Firms needing to secure a network circuit may contact SAVVIS directly at (703) 234-8272.

There is a file size limit of 4MB using the private network and security is managed with User IDs and passwords.

Internet File Transfer (IFT) - Firms may transmit data via IFT over the Internet using Secure Transport software from Tumbleweed Communications. IFT is similar to FTP with the exception that it leverages the Internet as opposed to a private network circuit. Firms interested in using IFT may contact Tumbleweed Communications directly at (650) 216-2059.

There is a file size limit of 4MB using IFT and security is managed with User IDs and passwords.

E-Mail - Firms may transmit data to OATS via E-mail over the Internet. Firms must use either Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 or Netscape Communicator 4.72 (128 bit encrypted, non-export versions). Other mail clients may work and will require certification, but NASD will not be obligated to correct software to enable connection with mail clients other than Microsoft or Netscape.

There is a file size limit of 1.5 MB using E-mail and security is managed using S/MIME encryption.

Web Interface - Firms may transmit data directly over NASD's OATS Web interface. The OATS Web interface is optimized for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Netscape Communicator 4.72 and HTML 3.2.

Security is managed using SSL encryption, server-side certificates and User IDs and passwords.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the above reporting mechanisms or on OATS in general, please contact the OATS Help Desk at (800) 321-NASD.