File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Instructions

There are many different operating systems (Windows 98/NT; Unix, OS400) and different software programs that have FTP ability. Step by step DOS Command Line FTP instructions are provided below. Our system also accepts Secure FTP file transfers via command line, assuming you have a secure client and your firewall rules allow this. Please visit with your Information Technology Department to find out if this is possible.

This FTP transmission method will be available after Close Of Business, Friday, August 10th, 2007.

DOS Command Line FTP Instructions

Advisory to Employers Automating the FTP Process If your company is planning or considering the automation of the file transmission using FTP, we strongly encourage you to incorporate some type of reporting to key staff if the file transfer fails for any reason. By knowing when a file was not successfully transmitted, you can ensure your company's compliance with new hire reporting laws and retransmit the file as soon as possible. This advisory is only meant for employers who are programming their computer systems to automatically transmit new hire data files.

File Naming Guidelines

When you are ready to save your file, please name the file with the first four characters of your company name, plus the day and month you are creating it. For example:

Acme Incorporated, file created on December 1^st- acme1201.txt
Microsoft Corporation, file created February 14^th- micr0214.txt

If you are unable to use this naming convention, please name your file as uniquely as possible. Using 4-8 letters that are an acronym of your company name, or actually spelling your company name is acceptable.

Please do not use "newhire" or any variation of "newhire" for your file name.

This file layout has been created for employers who have the ability to export new hire data from their existing payroll or human resources software. If you have any questions, or need further assistance with reporting electronically, please contact our office.

DOS Command Line FTP Instructions

To begin FTP transmissions, employers must first make a connection with the West Virginia New Hire Reporting Center's FTP server. Once a connection has been established, users will have to provide a host name, user name, and a password.

Host name: sftp-wv-newhire.com
User name: FEIN (Log On ID created on WV New Hire Web site)
Password: Created on WV Web site

Step by Step Instructions

Please press your enter/return key at the end of each command. At the DOS prompt:

You are now finished. The following page is a screen print showing you what your screen would look like.

Troubleshooting Tips specific to DOS

• DOS-FTP can only support 8-character file and directory names, plus a 3-character file extension. Be sure your file name and any directory where it is stored has a name which contains 8 characters or less, plus the 3 character extension.
• If you have trouble transferring the file, try locating the file directly in a "root" directory on either the "C:" or "A:" drive. This will eliminate the need to type a long path name. You can now retry the "PUT" command to initiate the file transfer.