When utilizing CIS on a local area network, it might be helpful to review the CIS path settings and how they operate.
Each user must have a CIS folder on their own local drive (generally C:) which we call the home path. Within that folder should be additional directories to store each user's own working files as follows:
- C:\CIS\CXT (CIS Shipment and Saved Output Files)
- C:\CIS\RAP (Rate Analysis Program Files)
- C:\CIS\SORT (Traffic/CIS Report Writer Settings)
- C:\CIS\REPORT (Traffic/CIS Report Writer Saved Output)
Original Porter files are originally written to the C:\CIS home directory, but can be directed to My Documents or a separate folder entirely..
The cost model itself, and all Traffic/CIS databases, reside on the server, within a CIS directory which we call the main path. Each has separate folders as follows.
- X:\CIS
- X:\CIS\PROFILE (The CIS Cost Profile)
- X:\CIS\SMSA (P&D performance for unrestricted systems)
- X:\CIS\PEDDLE (P&D Runs and Cartage Data)
- X:\CIS\MM-YY (Traffic Databases (MM=Month, YY=Year)
Each Traffic/CIS database has its own folder in the MM-YY format. The control file PERIODS.DAT lists the active periods.
The software resides on the server in the main path. Each workstation icon should be set with the main path as the working directory. All path settings are stored in the file TCG.INI in the WINDOWS folder on C: (this folder may have other names based on the operating system being used). For thin-client server systems, each CIS icon can contain an "/INI" switch, directing the software to a different location for this file. All user paths can be accessed from the TCG icon Paths Utility. The maintenance program, however, is controlled separately.
The Profile and Peddle folders, by default, are within the main path, and should not be preceded with the main drive and path in the settings of either folder.
The path for the cost profile is generally the only path changed by the user on a regular basis, if your system is set up with multiple cost levels. These cost levels can be named, separate from the name of the path itself, so that users can select them from a separate menu (via the Cost Profile option under File). This feature is activated when creating new profile paths from the Maintenance Program.
Revised February, 2005