Attention eRoster Users: Changes to eRoster File Layout

Beginning in August 2008 (the July Roster), the file layout for eRosters will change. ACS recently completed a conversion to a new membership database, and as a result, several fields in the roster files will change.

As a result of the conversion to the new database, the file layout for eRosters will change in several fields. Improvements to the roster files will include dedicated fields for:

• first name and middle initial,
• company name,
• department/mailstop,
• address,
• city,
• state, and
• zip.

In addition to the improved file structure, we are also pleased to announce that member data will be converted from an all upper-case (e.g., DR. JOSEPH CHEMIST) to a mixed-case (e.g., Dr. Joseph Chemist) format. We anticipate that this change will improve your ability to produce personalize communications (mail merges, name badges, certificates, etc.) for your members.

Although the file layout is changing, the download process and file format (.txt) will remain the same. To help ease the transition, the old file and new file layouts are available for comparison. In addtion, a sample data file in the new format also available.

If you have any questions about the new file layout, please submit them to rosters@acs.org. Also, please help us maintain the integrity of our roster files by reporting any changes to service@acs.org. Please be sure to include the Member ID along with any changes that you report.

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