They also added automated functions such as advanced warning of expected cars, faxes automatically routed to customers, and more extensive EDI capabilities, all using the existing mainframe infrastructure and programs. CIMS's inherently flexible architecture will allow it to be easily expanded for use by other Canadian National distribution facilities, such as Lumber and Steel. We are able to reuse a lot of existing code and have done many things to push the technology envelope. It has been very successful. Perhaps most important, CIMS has helped Canadian National to close the loop on its billing procedures.
Clerks only handle miscellaneous charges.
The bulk of the billing is performed according to predefined rate contracts, with no human intervention required. We're now equipped with leading-edge information technology that allows us to keep pace with a rapidly expanding operation.