Manual: Installing BICS Local in test mode

(For developers only)

This manual provides instructions for installing BICS Local in test mode on a Windows system and electronically reporting a voyage in a test environment.

Please note: It is not possible to install and use both the regular (production) version of BICS Local and the test version on the same device. Therefore, we recommend using a separate device for the test version of BICS Local. In addition, a separate installation of BICS Local must be carried out for each test account requested.

Contents

  1. Requesting test accounts
  2. Downloading the BICS software
  3. Opening the BICS installer via the Command Prompt
  4. Opening and configuring BICS Local
  5. Using BICS Local

1. Requesting a test account

To request the required number of test accounts, send an email to bics@rws.nl. In the body of the email, state the reason for requesting the test accounts and include the names of all users and the company name.

You will receive the test account details within a few working days. Please note that you will need the details of your test account(s) from step 4 onwards. Also, a separate installation of BICS Local must be carried out for each account requested.

2. Downloading the BICS software

Download the latest version of BICS Local here.

3. Opening the BICS installer via the Command Prompt

Before you can install BICS Local in test mode, you need to perform an additional step. First, you must add –DTEST=true to the command line in the Command Prompt. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt (go to the Start menu, type "cmd" and press Enter).
  2. Enter the location of the downloaded BICS installation file, add a space after it, and then add the text "-DTEST=true", for example: Downloads\BICS2-Install-6.2.0.20261102.exe -DTEST=true
  3. Then press Enter.

The image below shows what the text should look like in the Command Prompt.
After pressing Enter, you can start installing BICS.

Then follow the steps in the BICS installer to complete the BICS installation.

4. Opening and configuring BICS Local

First, make sure you have all the details of the test accounts requested in step 1 at hand.

Once the installation of BICS Local in test mode is complete, you can start the BICS software using the shortcut placed on your desktop. If this shortcut is missing, you can also start BICS Local by opening http://localhost:80 in your browser.

  1. Once BICS Local has opened, you can log in using the default credentials: username bics2 and password bics2.
  2. You will then be guided through the configuration of BICS Local on your computer in 5 steps using the "First Use Wizard".
    • Step 1: Waiting for data: BICS downloads the latest reference data. This step is completed automatically.
    • Step 2: Demo mode: Choose whether you want to install BICS in demo mode. For testing purposes, select 'No'.
    • Step 3: Import: Choose whether you want to import a backup. Select 'Skip' if you do not want to use a backup.
    • Step 4: Messaging Service Account settings: Click the 'Log in' button and log in using your Rijkswaterstaat Inland Shipping test account. The required test account details will be sent to you by email once your application has been approved:
      • Enter your username or email address and the password for your Rijkswaterstaat Inland Shipping test account, then click 'Sign in'.
      • Next, select the correct test Reporting ID from the list and click 'Confirm'.
    • Step 5: Sender Address: Enter your test address details:
      • In the 'Organisation / company name' field, enter the name of your organisation or company.
      • In the 'Identification' field, enter a three-letter code of your choice, for example your initials.
    • Step 6: Hulls: Enter the details of at least one test vessel. To do so, click "+ Hull" and enter the requested details.
  3. Then click "Finish" to complete the First Use Wizard. Your BICS installation is now ready for testing.

If you have successfully completed the installation and configuration, the following message will appear on the BICS main screen.

Example of the message displayed after successfully installing BICS in test mode

5. Using BICS Local

After successfully completing all the previous steps, you can now use BICS Local to report test voyages. The reported voyages will be sent to the acceptance environment (test environment), but their display will be similar to that of voyages reported in the production environment. The information menu in BICS provides access to various log files, such as the Communication Log, System Log and Update Log.

Please note: In test mode, BICS Local uses different reference data from that used in the production environment. As a result, you may encounter different locations in test mode than in normal mode, for example.

If you have any questions about the test mode of BICS Local, please contact bics@rws.nl.