NISS
Frequently Asked Questions Table of Contents
General Information about NISS
Product Submission Guidelines
Technical Support
General Information about NISS
- What is the New Item Submission System (NISS)?
- Why is the LCBO introducing this new application process?
- Who will use this new NISS system?
- How does an agent/supplier register?
- Is there a fee for using this system?
- Does NISS change any LCBO Product Management purchasing procedures?
- Who do I contact about LCBO Product Management Policy?
- Can more than one person per company use this service?
- Is there a User Guide for NISS users?
- Why do I need to include information on container, stopper weights, etc?
- How will I be notified of new LCBO product requirements?
- I forgot my LCBO agent number. How do I find out what it is?
- How do I find out the LCBO vendor number for one of my suppliers?
What is the New Item Submission
System (NISS)?
NISS is a web-based tool that
agents and suppliers can use to view
LCBO Product Needs letters and to submit
their new products for review. The system
allows the LCBO's Product Management
area to log, track and approve or decline
the submissions. Agents/suppliers are
notified via email of any modifications
to their application, and whether or
not their product has been accepted or
declined.
Why is the LCBO introducing this new application process?
The LCBO is introducing this new application process to achieve the following
benefits:
- NISS reduces paper-based applications and manual administration.
- NISS standardizes the submission process across all LCBO Business Units (Wines, Spirits, BRTD and VINTAGES), with some exceptions for VINTAGES.
- NISS improves application turn-around times.
- NISS applications are easier to track.
- NISS reduces phone calls and written communication.
Who will use this new NISS system?
All agents/suppliers of alcoholic
beverages who wish to make a product submission
application to the LCBO must use NISS. There
are three exceptions:
- Small Ontario brewers applying to ship their beer directly to specified LCBO stores in their local trade area.
- Any beer supplier requesting that their beer be sold in LCBO combination stores or The Beer Store.
- Ontario VQA Replacement Products.
These agents/suppliers should refer to the section of the LCBO’s Product Management Policies and Procedures Manual for Procedures for Packaged Beer Sold in the Beer Store, LCBO Combination Stores and On-Site Brewery Retail Stores for more information.
How does an agent/supplier register?
Application Process
Agents/suppliers must complete an Access
to NISS Application form. You can
fill out all of the fields online, then print and
sign it. The completed application must be faxed to:
For General Purchase
to the LCBO at 416-365-5911, to the attention of the applicable business
unit (Wines, Spirits, BRTD).
For VINTAGES
to the LCBO at 416-864-2540.
On receipt of the application, LCBO will capture all the relevant details. The User will be notified by e-mail of the relevant user ID and password.
Password and ID Specifications
The user’s ID will be the e-mail
address provided by the Authorized Officer
of the agent/supplier organization. Passwords
will be case-sensitive, with six to eight
lettered and/or numbered characters.
Secret Questions and Answer
Each user must provide a secret
question and answer that the system provider,
Qlogitek, can use in verifying the legitimacy of
that user. Example: Question - What is your
mother's maiden name? Answer - Smith.
Is there a fee for using this system?
There are no fees for using the NISS
system.
Does NISS change any LCBO Product Management purchasing procedures? The introduction of NISS does not change the LCBO’s product purchasing policies (for more information of those policies, please refer to the LCBO’s Product Management Policies and Procedures Manual). It does, however, alter the procedures for making an application:
- Submissions are made on-line.
- Product Needs letters are available on NISS.
- The Product Review Sheet (Form LCB 2026) has been replaced with the new NISS form.
- Agents/suppliers are notified by email whether their submission has been accepted or declined.
- The Product Profile & Marketing Plan (Form LCB 2048) (note — this form does not apply to VINTAGE products) has been modified. Most of the technical specifications, such as selling unit codes, case dimensions and shipping details, are gathered as part of the on-line submission.
- The information provided through NISS will automatically populate the LCBO database should the product submission be accepted.
Who do I contact about LCBO Product Management Policy?
Questions related to LCBO's Product Management Policy & Procedures
should be directed to the appropriate LCBO Business Unit
(Wines, Spirits, BRTD and VINTAGES). For more
information please refer to the Product
Management Policies and Procedure Manual.
Can more than one person per
company use this service?
Up to five people per company
can use the service.
Is there a User Guide for NISS users?
Yes, click here to download the NISS
User Guide, which is available on the LCBO Trade Resources
Web Site.
Why do I need to include information
on container, stopper weights etc?
The LCBO has a financial obligation
under the Waste Diversion Act to report
annually on the weight of all consumer
packaging material that it releases onto
the Ontario market. To complete this
report, the LCBO requires information
on package material weights from its
suppliers.
How will I be notified of new
LCBO product requirements?
All Product Needs Letters will
be communicated through the applicable
Ontario trade association and posted
in NISS.
I forgot my LCBO agent number.
How do I find out what it is?
Contact the appropriate
Business Unit (Wines, Spirits, Beers & Special
Markets or VINTAGES).
How do I find out the LCBO vendor
number for one of my suppliers?
Contact the appropriate
Business Unit (Wines, Spirits, Beers & Special
Markets or VINTAGES).
Product Submission Guidelines
- How can I access the system and find specific instructions on how to enter a product submission?
- Can I see the status of my product submissions?
- Can anyone outside of the LCBO see my product submissions?
- At what hours can I enter product submissions?
- Is there a limit to the number of products I can submit?
- How will I be notified whether or not my product submission has been accepted or declined?
- What other steps are needed after my product has been accepted to proceed?
- If my product submission is declined, will I be told the reason why?
- How do I submit a product sample?
- What happens if I submit a sample after the deadline date?
- How many sample bottles of a product should I send?
- Can I review the status history of my submission?
- I don't have all the necessary data to complete a product submission. Will I have to enter it all again?
- How long will my product submission be available on NISS?
- Can I change the information in one of my product submissions?
- How can I change the information in one of my product submissions?
- I could not change the information on one of my product submissions. What could be wrong?
- What's the latest that I can change the data on my product submission?
- How do I save my submission?
- How do I update my agent information?
How can I access the system and find
specific instructions on how to enter a product
submission?
NISS may be accessed through the LCBO’s
Trade Resources site. You can print detailed
instructions from the User
Guide on how to submit an application from Trade
Resources before entering NISS.
Can I see the status of my product
submissions?
To see the status of your submissions,
click on the "Submissions" option on
the Main Menu.
Your Product Submissions with their current status will be listed.
Can anyone outside of the LCBO see
my product submissions?
No one outside the LCBO can see your
submissions unless you have shared your ID
and password with someone else. If there is
more than one user of NISS in your company
they will be able to see each other's submissions.
At what hours can I enter product
submissions?
The system will be available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. The only exception is
between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. (EST) on Sunday,
when systems maintenance is taking place.
Is there a limit to the number of
products I can submit?
The number of products will be determined
by the specific needs of each Product Needs
Letter.
How will I be notified whether or
not my product submission has been accepted
or declined?
You will be notified by e-mail at
the e-mail address that you gave as a contact
on your Product Submission Form.
What other steps are needed after
my product has been accepted to proceed?
If you have been notified that your
submission has been accepted, and if you have
not already submitted one you will be asked
for a LCBO
Product Profile and Marketing Plan (Form LCB
2040 or 2048 after November 25).
Note that the form does not apply to VINTAGES
products. You will also need to submit a Request
for Label Exam (Form
LCB 1642) and a Request
for Shipping Container Examinations (Form
LCB 2102). Please note: an additional product
sample for laboratory analysis is required.
If my product submission is declined,
will I be told the reason why?
An explanation is included with the
e-mail notification.
How do I submit a product sample?
You must attach a printout of Product
Submission Form from NISS to your sample and
drop it off at the LCBO Head Office in Toronto,
43 Freeland, 3rd floor to the attention of
the appropriate person.
What happens if I submit a sample
after the deadline date?
It will not be accepted unless a prior
arrangement has been made with the appropriate
Sales & Marketing business unit (Wines,
Spirits, BRTD or VINTAGES)
How many sample bottles of a product
should I send?
The number of samples will be specified
as part the Product Needs Letter.
Can I review the status history of
my submission?
Select the "Submission" option
on the Main Menu to list your Product Submissions.
Click on the hyper-link next to the item you
wish to review and then select the "Status" option from the sub-menu.
I don't have all the necessary data
to complete a product submission. Will I
have to enter it all again?
You do not have to enter all the data
again. Once you have entered what you can and
submitted it, the submission will be saved
with a status of "Incomplete Product Submission." Your
submission, however, must be completed by the
deadline date.
How long will my product submission
be available on NISS?
It will remain on NISS until either “Declined” and
closed off or until “Product Setup
Completed” and
closed off.
Can I change the information in one
of my product submissions?
You can change information as long
as the submission has not been accepted or
declined, or the submission deadline date has
not passed.
How can I change the information in one of my product submissions?
For VINTAGES:
While still in "New Pre-submission"
Status select "Submission" option
on the Main Menu. A list of your submissions
with status will be shown. If the status is
either "Incomplete Submission" or "New
Pre-submission" then you may edit the data.
For General Purchases:
Select "Submission" option
on the Main Menu. A list of your submissions
with status will be shown. If the status is
either "Incomplete Product Submission" or "New
Product Submission" then you may edit
the data.
I could not change the information
on one of my product submissions. What could
be wrong?
The status of your submission has changed
to:
For VINTAGES:
"Pre-submission Accepted" or "Pre-submission Declined." If the
Pre-submission
deadline date has passed, no changes to the
submission will be allowed.
For General Purchase:
If the product is in any other status
other than “Incomplete Product Submission” or “New
Product Submission” or the sample deadline
date has passed, no changes to the submission
will be allowed.
What's the latest that I can change the data on my product submission?
For VINTAGES:
Up until Pre-submission Deadline Date,
provided the status is still "Incomplete
Product Submission" or "New
Pre-submission."
For General Purchases:
Up until "Sample Deadline Date," provided
the status is either "Incomplete Product
Submission" or "New Product Submission."
How do I save my submission?
You should save your submission information as you finish each of the four submission information pages (AGENT, SUPPLIER, PRODUCT, PRICE/PACK). To do this, you will need Adobe Reader 6.0 software that is available from this link on the Trade Resources Online website.
How do I update my agent information?
Registered agents will have their information appear as entered on the LCBO's database. Contact the appropriate LCBO Business Unit if changes are required.
Technical Support
- What are the technical requirements?
- Can I use my current Internet connection?
- How secure is the site?
- Can I access NISS from my home computer?
- Can I use my existing Macintosh operating system?
- How will the system be supported?
- How do I change my password?
- What if my e-mail address changes?
- Who do I phone if I have a problem logging on to NISS?
- How do I log off from NISS?
- I no longer want to use NISS; how do I cancel my user ID and password?
What are the technical requirements?
The Hardware and Software requirements
for Windows-based PC computers to access the
NISS application are:
- Windows NT, 2000 or XP
- Internet Explorer 5.0 +
- Web access
- Adobe Reader 6.0 (the new version of what was called Adobe Acrobat Reader)
- Printer
Adobe Reader 6.0 software is available from this link on the Trade Resources Online website.
Please note: Windows 98 will work using Adobe 5.0 but is not recommended.
Agents/suppliers who do not have access to a computer or the Internet may access NISS through a computer available for supplier use at the LCBO head office in Toronto. The computer is located in the lobby on the 3rd floor of 43 Freeland Street.
Can I use my current Internet connection?
You can use your current Internet
connection. A high-speed connection is preferred
for better response, but a dial-up connection
will work.
How secure is the site?
A firewall (a device that protects
against unauthorized access) protects the NISS
site. All data is secured behind the firewall.
Login, Passwords and a Secret Question and
Answer prevent any unauthorized access.
Can I access NISS from my home computer?
NISS can be accessed from home as
long as you have either a high speed or dial-up
Internet connection and you have Internet Explorer
5.0 +.
Can I use my existing Macintosh operating
system?
Macintosh systems are not supported.
Only Windows-based PC computers are supported
at this time.
How will the system be supported?
Vendors will be requested to call
or email QLogitek Support Centre with their
issues. (QLogitek is the primary service provider
in support of the NISS product.)
Support Centre Number: 1-800-699-8204 and
press #2
E-mail: support.centre@qlogitek.com
Fax: (416) 741-4833 Attn: Support Centre
The Support Centre is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) Monday to Friday, excluding Ontario statutory holidays. After-hours support calls will have a priority voice-mail assigned. If urgent, the caller will be requested to leave a message and a support representative on-call will respond within two hours.
Business related queries must be addressed during regular business hours to your LCBO Product Representative.
How do I change my password?
Click on "Password" option
on the Main Menu. You will be asked to enter
your current password. You will then be asked
to enter your new password twice. Please note:
do not use the “copy” feature for
entering your password a second time.
What if my e-mail address
changes?
If you change your e-mail address,
the agent administrator should send in a new
form showing the new address. Please contact Qlogitek:
Support Centre Number: 1-800-699-8204 and press #2
E-mail: support.centre@qlogitek.com
Fax: (416) 741-4833 Attn: Support Centre
You will be required to answer some questions to verify your identity, after which Qlogitek will change your e-mail address on the system.
Who do I phone if I have a problem
logging on to NISS?
Please contact Qlogitek.
Support Centre Number: 1-800-699-8204 and
press #2
E-mail: support.centre@qlogitek.com
Fax: (416) 741-4833 Attn: Support Centre
How do I log off from NISS?
Choose the "Log Off" option
from the Main Menu.
I no longer want to use NISS; how do
I cancel my user ID and password?
To remove yourself from NISS please
contact Qlogitek.
Support Centre Number: 1-800-699-8204 and
press #2
E-mail: support.centre@qlogitek.com
Fax: (416) 741-4833 Attn: Support Centre
You will be required to answer some questions to verify your identity, after which Qlogitek will remove you from the system. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you.