VOLUME 21 - BULLETIN #219 ACT 2.0 Phase One Implementation Overview

Effective Friday, November 2, 2001, the Allocation and Claim Transaction (ACT) System will be upgraded from version 1.1 to version 2.0. It was determined that ACT 2.0 would be implemented in phases to provide the least interruption to the back office and at the same time allow the Clearing Corporation to ensure the stability and functionality of the system before adding additional transactions. For Friday’s ACT 2.0, phase one implementation, firms should be aware of the following:

• On Thursday, November 1, 2001, to minimize the need to resubmit an EFP, the Business Systems Group (BSG) will be monitoring the ACT system throughout the day and contacting firms that have unclaimed EFP transactions. All EFP transactions unclaimed by 7:00PM on Thursday, November 1, 2001 will need to be resubmitted the following day, Friday, November 2, 2001.

• The ACT System will be unavailable beginning at 7:00PM Thursday, November 1, 2001 until 6:00AM Friday, November 2, 2001.

• New generic screens to accommodate additional transaction types that will be implemented after Phase 1.

• Give-ups for EFPs (and only EFPs) will switch from OTIS to ACT

• Allocation and claims for EFP give-ups will only be available via GAPI

• API messages for EFP allocation and claims will not change.

• GAPI messages generated for give-up EFPs will not change.

• Plan to convert to the GAPI because the Real Time Feed of allocations and claims will not include EFP give-ups.

For additional information on ACT 2.0, refer to Volume 21 – Bulletin #218 Details, including a schedule of implementation for phase 2 of ACT 2.0, will be published in the near future.

Should you have any questions, please call or e-mail one of the following Business Systems Analysts: