| GETTING STARTED
SECURITY
GENERAL INFO
WHO TO CALL
How do I get started?
Contact your Boeing buyer and have them call one of the Business Requirements Support people listed on the contact list.
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What does this buy us?
The process of using the internet to transmit data to you instead of mailing it to you on some kind of physical media really doesn't save either of our companies much money. Where the savings are realized is time. How much is saved when you are on the other side of America and can get your CATIA dataset in three minutes instead of the three days it would have taken to receive a tape by US mail? How much is saved when you are in Korea and can get your CATIA dataset in six minutes instead of the six weeks it would have taken via the mail? If you want to equate this to time and money, consider the 767 landing gear forging designs being done by a supplier in Switzerland. The Boeing 767 Landing Gear project manager estimated, using SNET to send design datasets back and forth between companies trimmed six months off the project schedule and saved the company $25 million.
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What types of files can be sent via SNET-TDI?
Any type of file can be sent via this process, ascii or binary. SNET-TDI is primarily used to send and receive CATIA engineering datasets but is also used for documents, spreadsheets, reports, artwork, software, etc.
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Are there any file size restrictions?
No, the SNET-TDI server can send and receive files of any size.
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Are there any restrictions on the number of files I can send?
No. During one load test it was demonstrated SNET-TDI could process 3.4 million files in a 24 hour period.
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Are there any restrictions on when or how often I send files?
No, the SNET-TDI server is up 24 hours a day
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How do I get my files?
SNET-TDI uses what is known as an FTP store-and-forward architecture for transferring files to suppliers. Boeing maintains a server in Seattle for suppliers and an account is set up on that server for each supplier. Whenever there is a file to go to a supplier, it is moved to the supplier folder on that server and the supplier is notified to come pick it up. This is what we refer to as the "PULL" scenario.
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Can Boeing FTP the files to my site?
Yes, the SNET-TDI process can be set up to FTP files directly to a supplier site server. This is what we refer to as the "PUSH" scenario. There are five things required of suppliers to support this.
A Boeing account must be set up on a server at the supplier site. The account must be password protected. The account must not allow navigation outside that account. The server must be accessible 24 hnours a day, 7 days a week. The server must always have enough space available to receive files.
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How do I send files to Boeing?
Boeing maintains a server in Seattle for suppliers and an account is set up on that server for each supplier. Whenever there is a file to go to Boeing, the supplier logs on to their account and uses FTP to copy the files to their account.
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How long does it take to transfer a file?
Transfer time is affected by many factors including line speed, file size, time of day, etc. The following chart gives file transfer time estimates for normal conditions:
Figures based on 3MB file size
| Line Speed in Kbps |
Time to Transmit One File |
Files Transmitted in 8 hours |
| 14.4 |
28 minutes |
17.1 |
| 28.8 |
13 minutes |
33.9 |
| 56 |
6 minutes |
75.8 |
| 64 |
5 minutes |
96 |
| 128 |
3 minutes |
192 |
| 256 |
1.3 minutes |
360 |
| 512 |
40 seconds |
720 |
| T1 |
13 seconds |
2304 |
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Are there any internet line speed requirements?
Line speed requirements vary depending on individual business requirements. If you are working multiple contracts and have requirements to send and receive hundreds of files a day you will want an architecture that includes a higher line speed. If you only receive one or two files every other week, a lower line speed will meet your needs.
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What does it cost to use this service?
There are no fees assessed to you by Boeing for using this service. The only cost involved is your monthly internet access fee.
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Do I need any special software to get started?
There are only two pieces of software required. You need File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software to connect to the Boeing server. FTP comes standard as part of the Windows operating system. If your communications platform is not Windows based, there are many FTP packages available commercially. There are also freeware versions of FTP which are very effective. You also need a copy of the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software. PGP can be purchased at your local software store or you can order a copy through Boeing.
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Do I need any special hardware to get started?
You need a PC with a modem.
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How long does it take to set up a connection?
There are many factors that determine how fast a connection comes on line. Typically an SNET-TDI connection takes four to six weeks to implement but it can go faster. Once we have the go-ahead from the Boeing contract administrator, the supplier needs only have access to the internet, FTP capability and a copy of the PGP encryption software. If everything is ready, a connection can be completed in as little as five days.
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Do I need a CATIA workstation or can I use my existing CAD system?
You can use your existing CAD system. When CATIA engineering datasets are sent via SNET-TDI to suppliers who don't have CATIA workstations, the files are converted to a neutral CAD format, either IGES or STEP, before transmission.
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What if I don't know how to use FTP or PGP?
When the SNET-TDI connection analysts contact a supplier to start a new connection, they are prepared to walk the supplier focal, step by step, through the entire process. That includes training on how to use FTP and the PGP encryption software.
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Are the file transmissions secure?
All files sent to suppliers are heavily encrypted using either PGP software encryption or hardware encryption. Which encryption method is used depends on your individual business requirements.
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Do I need hardware encryption?
Typically hardware encryption is only used for high speed lines where many files are transmitted each day.
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What do you use to encrypt the files?
All files sent to suppliers are heavily encrypted using either PGP software encryption or hardware encryption. When PGP is used, suppliers are required to purchase their own copy. When hardware encryptors are used, Boeing owns, installs and maintains the hardware at the supplier site.
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Where can I get a copy of the PGP encryption software?
PGP can be purchased off the shelf at most any software outlet or it can be ordered directly from PGP Corporation via their web site .
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What is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a TCP/IP package that allows one computer to connect to another computer through some type of network. Once connected, FTP also provides directory listing, file management and file transfer capability. FTP is included as part of the Windows standard communications platform.
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What is the Trading Partner Agreement?
The Trading Partner Agreement for Electronic Commerce is a document that contains legal verbage describing at a high level, the potential risks and liabilities inherent when using the internet to transmit data between companies. It is generally a "for your information" type document to remind suppliers that this is typically a reliable process but there may be unexpected delays to deal with.
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What is the CAD/CAM Equipment Survey?
There is a supplier capability data base maintained by the Procurement Quality Assurance (PQA) group within the Boeing Supply Management and Procurement Division (formerly the SM&P Division). Part of that database defines what type of CAD/CAM equipment a supplier uses. Normally that database gets updated each time PQA audits a supplier site. Part of the SNET-TDI connection process involves making sure that data base is up to date. If it isn't, the supplier will be asked to fill out a CAD/CAM Equipment Survey and submit it.
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How do I get notified that a file has been sent?
File transfers are initiated by the buyer and carried out by the Digital Data Distribution (D3) group within Boeing. Whenever CATIA datasets are sent to a supplier, the D3 folks follow up the transfer with a fax to a focal at the supplier site. For non-CATIA file transfers, notification arrangements are usually made between the sending and receiving parties. In the near future, SNET-TDI will provide email notification as well.
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How do I request files from Boeing?
Contact your buyer or contract administrator.
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Can I automate the file transfer process?
When accessing your SNET-TDI FTP account you will see several log files. One is called PICKUP.LOG. This file is created whenever there are files to pick up. The SNET-TDI Users Guide has a section that describes how to use this file in a script to automate the file transfer process.
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Do I get access to REDARS through SNET-TDI?
No. REDARS is an application that suppliers access interactively via the internet. SNET-TDI is a store-and-forward FTP drop box type architecture. You do not access REDARS via your SNET-TDI account.
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If I already have access to REDARS, can I use the same internet connection to access SNET-TDI?
Yes.
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Are SNET-TDI and the Boeing Partners Network the same?
No. Boeing Partners Network (BPN) is a reverse proxy driven front end application that allows non-Boeing personnel access to specific Boeing applications.
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Are SNET-TDI and SNET-EDI the same?
SNET-TDI and SNET-EDI are managed together organizationally and are very similar in philosophy in that both applications are used to transmit files to suppliers. SNET-EDI (Technical Data Interchange) is used to transmit static business forms such as purchase orders and requests for quote. Each of these forms are known by a specific number and has a format that is recognizable throughout the world business community.
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Is there a log kept of all the files sent and received?
There are multiple logs maintained at all stages of the file transfer process. On the Boeing side, files pass through several post processors before they are deposited in the supplier directory on the SNET-TDI server. There are logs kept at each post processor step, as well as logs in each supplier folder on the SNET-TDI server, to provide a detailed audit history of each file transfer. The same is true for all the files coming into Boeing from suppliers.
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Is there a SNET-TDI technical support line?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line is 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call if I can't connect to the SNET-TDI server? TextCall the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call if I can't get into my FTP account?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call to get my FTP account password reset?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call if I'm having problems encrypting/decrypting a file?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call if I'm expecting a file and it hasn't arrived?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call if I sent a file and it hasn't arrived at Boeing?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call for emergency after hours assistance?
Call the SNET-TDI Customer Support line at 425-237-3700.
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Who do I call to find out if a supplier already has an SNET-TDI connection?
Call one of the SNET-TDI Business Requirements focals on the contact list.
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