New NMFC data distribution service

The National Motor Freight Traffic Assn. (NMFTA) has introduced a new National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) data distribution service (DDS).

The data is currently offered in fixed length field (ASCII) format delivered via CD-Rom. The new DDS will distribute the information in three new data files, an XML Articles file and XML-formatted Index to Articles as well as a “slimmed down” version of the Articles file in comma delimited ASCII format.

The XML version of the Articles file contains the item number, sub, commodity description, class, issue date and effective date, notes as well as the data relationship information. The XML version of the Index to Articles file contains the item numbers and commodity descriptions as well as data structure information.

The new XML formatted files allow for easier manipulation and integration of the Articles and Index to Articles data into internal pricing systems, billing programs, weighing and research applications, and/or other business applications, NMFTA said.

The third new file being introduced is the “slimmed down” version of the Articles file in comma delimited ASCII format containing only the item number, sub and class. This version contains only those elements necessary to support rating system class lookups.

All the NMFC DDS now have the option of having the NMFC data files delivered via FTP or SFTP as well.