IWS helps you enter nominations, change nominations, view scheduled quantities and other pipeline transactions.

IWS is Internet-based, meaning that it is not "loaded" onto you computer, as some older Electronic Bulletin Boards (EBBs) were. The program runs on a server on the Internet. To access the program, all you need is a standard Internet browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer (see "System Requirements" for a list of the correct versions of these browsers).

IWS can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection. You can access IWS from your computer at work, from your laptop, or your computer at home.

You can move between screens, or navigate, around IWS simply by clicking on highlighted text, or links. You can also use the "Back" and "Forward" buttons on your browser to move to previously visited pages. For example, if you find you are at a screen you didn't intend on viewing, clicking on the "Back" button will return you to your previous screen.

IWS requires the minimum PC configuration noted below. If you are not sure of the configuration of your computer, see your system administrator.

To submit a nomination, click on the link on the left hand side of the screen that reads "Submit Nominations". A screen with the appropriate fields for your nomination information will appear.

You can use the "TAB" key or your mouse to move from field to field to input information.

To submit your nomination click on "Submit Nomination". IWS will prompt you if you have forgotten some required information or have improperly entered any information.

Clicking "Reset" will clear all information without submitting the nomination.

Clicking "Cancel" will return you to the main screen with no nomination being submitted.

Intraday nominations are submitted just like timely nominations (see "How do I submit a nomination?"). IWS will automatically note your nomination as an intraday nomination.

To view or change a previously submitted nomination, click on the link on the left hand side of the screen that reads "View Nominations". Select the date you wish to view and click "Retrieve Nominations". A matrix of all nominations flowing on the selected date will be displayed.

To edit or view further nomination detail, click on the highlighted Nomination Number in the left column. If your nomination is for today or later, a nomination edit screen will appear.

Change those nomination elements you wish to change. Additionally, these changes may be "rolled" through one or more of the remaining days of the nomination by selecting the day(s) in the scrolling box at the bottom of the page.

Click on "Save Nomination" to submit your changes for all selected days.

To delete a nomination, click on "Delete Nomination". Note that if if additional days are selected in the scrolling box at the bottom of the screen, the nomination will be deleted on these days as well. For example, to delete a nomination from the selected date forward, click on "Select All" in the scrolling box, then click "Delete Nomination".

If your nomination is for a date prior than the current day, it is not editable, but a detail view screen will appear.

To view scheduled quantities provided by the pipeline for previously entered nominations, click on the link on the left hand side of the screen that reads "View Scheduled Qty". Select the date you wish to view and click "Retrieve Scheduled Quantities". A matrix of all scheduled nominations for the selected date will be displayed.

To offer firm released capacity for bidding by other approved shippers, click on the "Post Offer" link under the "Capacity Release" heading.

Complete all appropriate information. Note that a DUNs number is required for correct submission. Click on "Submit" to submit the offer. The offer will be automatically assigned an offer number and posted on IWS.

To respond to a posted offer, or submit an unsolicited bid for firm released capacity, click on the "Post Bid" link under the "Capacity Release" heading.

Complete all appropriate information. Note that a DUNs number is required for correct submission. Click on "Submit" to submit the bid. The bid will be automatically posted on IWS.

To view posted offers, bids, or awards click on the "View Offers", "View Bids" or "View Awards" links under the "Capacity Release" heading.

Each link will provide a display of all respective postings. Click on the name of a posting to view it. To print the posting, click on the posting itself and then click on the "Print" button of your browser.

To view posted measurement information, click on the "Measured Volumes" link under the "Flowing Gas" heading.

To print the posting, click on the posting itself and then click on the "Print" button of your browser.

To view current transportation or sales invoices, click on the "Current Transportation Invoices" or the "Current Sales Invoices" links, respectively, under the "Invoicing" heading.

To print an invoice, click on the invoice itself and then click on the "Print" button of your browser.

If your transportation contract is not listed in the drop-down box in the nomination submission screen, see your pipeline representative. Contracts cannot be added via IWS.

You are probably experiencing an Internet problem known as "caching." A cache is a locally stored piece of Internet data. Once you fetch data from an Internet server (like IWS), your computer (or your company's Internet gateway computer) stores the data so that it is quickly available next time you request it.

The problem with this "time saving" feature is that you don't always receive the newest data from the IWS server - you get the locally "cached" version.

To solve this problem, try the following:

1. Use the "Reload" button on your browser to retrieve non-cached data.
2. "Log-out" or close your browser between IWS sessions.
3. Ask your system administrator about the caching policies in your company. They may be able to increase the cache "refresh" interval or minimize caching effects.

The response time provided by IWS depends on numerous factors. IWS is designed with minimal download time in mind, but because it is Internet-based, many communications systems are involved in bringing IWS to your computer.

To help solve this problem, examine:

1. Your Internet connection - IWS requires at least a 56K connection for satisfactory response. Slower connections, as typically found in hotels or through retail Internet service providers, may produce longer waiting times.
2. Your computer - Running multiple applications at the same time will slow any computer. Try reducing the number of applications active while using IWS. Also, make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for IWS (see "System Requirements").

If the problem persists, contact you pipeline representative.