importers interact electronically with the Customs department. The new program called Indent Control & Forwarding System (ICFS) was developed to integrate with the new automated system Customs will be switching to next January.

"ICFS meets the needs of all importers and when implemented, will enable companies to manage the clearing of freight through Customs,'' said creators of the package, Independent Consulting Solutions.

"ICFS has many benefits including a streamlined customs process, cost and time savings and ease-of-use,'' the company added. "It enables a company to supply up-to-the-minute status reports to its customers, thereby improving relations and confidence.

A major benefit of the ICFS package, according to the developers, is that it will enable up to ten people on the system at the same time. Previous systems could only accommodate one user on-line at any time. The ICFS application can also generate costing reports, summaries for general ledger and accounts payable, inquiry routines by purchase order, job number or general ledger.