VTDX Supplier Overview 08/17/2007

Vendor Technical Data eXchange

Based on requests from the Shipyard and Suppliers alike the VTDX application has been developed to support the secure transmittal of technical data up to and including non-classified U-NNPI.

What is VTDX?

  • VTDX is an application designed to support the exchange of unclassified technical data up to and including U-NNPI (designated NOFORN) with suppliers, teaming shipyard partners, as well as our customer, SUPSHIPs.
  • It allows suppliers to send technical data to engineers, buyers, supplier quality etc. electronically over a secure approved internet based network.
  • It is an application that provides validation that a package was sent and opened by the intended recipient, similar to certified mail.

What VTDX is NOT

  • It is not a business process.

It is an informal means of exchange; very much like email

  • It is not a workflow
  • Though documents can be forwarded and replied to, each is independent of the other and will be purged from the server based on the property file settings established.
  • It is not a document repository
  • VTDX allows users to make attachments that get sent to a recipient. The recipient is expected to download the attachment for future use. All VTDX transactions have an expiration date whereby the data will be deleted from the server.

VTDX Requirements:

  • A Supplier representative must be a registered user of the SPARS e-Commerce Platform.
  • All suppliers will be granted access to the VTDX application by default when obtaining other SPARS applications such as VIR2, VPA, E-DLDR or V-Bid.
  • The supplier’s SPARS Company Administrator can provide access to others within their company for the VTDX application (provided they are US Citizens).
  • The individual needing access must first be added to the SPARS Company Directory.
  • To add a user:Go to the User Services link on your desktop. Fill out the information about the individual you wish to add to your company directory, and check of the application box marked VTDX.

How the Supplier’s SPARS Company Administrator adds additional users to their SPARS Company Directory:

Application Features of VTDX

The Application Supports:

•Attachments

•Forwarding

•Reply to Sender

•Visibility to when it is Rx-Opened

•Audit Log

•Priority

•NNPI identification

•Get Printable

•Search/Find Capabilities

•Automatic Purge

•12 month Admin Log

Suppliers can send VTDX packages to:

EB Personnel Only – The application will allow a supplier to put on copy other users within their own company found in the SPARS Company Directory.

ALWAYS REMEMBER! VTDX is NOT a Workflow.

VTDX is a secure communication utility for unclassified technical information

And NEVER FORGET! VTDX is not for submitting bid proposals.

Suppliers are not to respond with pricing information using the VTDX application. Notify the SPARS Shipyard Administrator at once if you should receive a request for pricing information using VTDX. The SPARS VBID application is the only valid means of submitting a bid proposal on the SPARS Platform.

ACTION Buttons within the VTDX Application include:

Inbox

The Inbox is where a user can see their incoming VTDX packages. Those yet to be opened will be highlighted.

Drafts

The Draft box is where saved VTDX packages reside. If you leave SPARS and come back later to continue working on an existing VTDX package, be sure to click DRAFT to find the document you had started.

Sent

Sent is where one can see their VTDX Outbox which reflects all active VTDX packages an individual has authored. Each package lists delivery status and the expiration of when the system will delete it from the server.

Send to Trash/Trash

Send to Trash is used to remove VTDX packages from your “In box”. Mark those documents you wish to move to trash and then click “Send to Trash”. The Trash button allows you to view what currently is in trash. Documents in “trash” remain for a set period of time and then are automatically deleted from the system.

Create

Click Create to initiate the creation of a VTDX package

Refresh

Recreates screen with latest data

Find

Locates VTDX packages using various selection criteria

Audit Log

Log of VTDX transactions created for up to one year.

Close

This is the button used to close out of the application. When clicked it will bring the user back to the SPARS Desktop whereby they can engage in another SPARS application or log out of the system. When the VTDX application is not in use, make sure you log off the application. Do Not Leave the Application Open on your PC when not in use.

Save

Retains created VTDX package, to be found in Drafts, for revision until submitted

Submit

Forwards VTDX package to authorized recipients

Attachments

This is where you can add attachments to the VTDX package. VTDX attachment functionality works like all the other SPARS applications.

A Quick “Walk Though” of what VTDX looks like


Similar to other SPARS applications, when a VTDX package is sent to you, an email notification will be generated advising you to log into the SPARS Desktop and review the VTDX package. You can check your Inbox at anytime however by logging in to SPARs.