Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What software or hardware do I need in order to use the ICS?
2. How do I sign up and start to use the ICS?
3. Where do I go for technical help?
4. Will the IMF continue to mail paper copies of the report forms?
5. Will the IMF continue to mail call letters, e.g., the IFS monthly letter?
6. What if I gather data from my colleagues or other agencies to submit on one or more forms; could more than one of us download a copy of the same report form?
7. Do I have to download a new report form/spreadsheet each time I want to report data?
8. If I need to revise data, reported in the same reporting cycle, i.e., reported earlier in the month, can I send multiple submissions within one reporting cycle?
9. How will I know that the IMF received my data?
10. How soon after I submit data can I view it using the ICS?
11. Can I monitor the data reporting of my institution to the IMF Statistics Department so that I can better coordinate our reporting?
12. What is standard login?
13. I forgot my username and/or password. What do I do?
14. What about when I am away from the Office? Can my colleagues get access to the ICS on a temporary basis?
15. Having trouble logging in?
16. If I have questions about the data, whom do I contact?
17. Where do I go for Data Domain / Report form info.?
1. What software or hardware do I need in order to use the ICS?
To use the ICS you will need the following:- a computer with a connection to the Internet
- a web browser, preferably Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 10.0 or higher) or Google Chrome (latest version)
- MS Excel 2007 or higher
- a personal e-mail account (For security reasons, shared e-mail accounts cannot be accepted.)
- a username
- a password
2. How do I sign up and start to use the ICS?
Data reporters are encouraged to register directly online at Register (https://www-ics.imf.org). Upon completion of the online registration form, the IMF will contact the designated Official Correspondent at the registrant’s agency to request authorization. After receiving the approval of the Official Correspondent, the IMF will issue detailed instructions for ICS login.3. Where do I go for technical help?
If you have questions or encounter difficulties using the ICS, you can contact the ICS Administrator through the Contact Support link.4. Will the IMF continue to mail paper copies of the report forms?
The IMF ceased issuing paper copies of report forms in September 2006. Electronic copies of the report forms can be downloaded from the ICS.5. Will the IMF continue to mail call letters, e.g., the IFS monthly letter?
The IMF ceased issuing paper copies of call letters in September 2006.6. What if I gather data from my colleagues or other agencies to submit on one or more forms; could more than one of us download a copy of the same report form?
Only one copy of a report form should be “checked out” (downloaded) at any given time. The ICS keeps track of each form that has been downloaded and will only accept the most recent copy of the downloaded form. If a form is downloaded multiple times, the system will only accept the last downloaded form. The recommendation is to download one copy of each form and circulate it among your colleagues for updating; return the form only when it contains the full set of data to be reported.7. Do I have to download a new report form/spreadsheet each time I want to report data?
If you are reporting using the spreadsheet format then you must download a fresh copy of the form for each reporting cycle. The ICS keeps track of each downloaded form and only accepts the most recent copy in return; this ensures that only the most recent data are processed.8. If I need to revise data, reported in the same reporting cycle, i.e., reported earlier in the month, can I send multiple submissions within one reporting cycle?
Yes, you may send multiple submissions within one reporting cycle. Keep in mind that the ICS keeps track of each downloaded form and only accepts the most recent copy in return.9. How will I know that the IMF received my data?
When you successfully submit data to the IMF, the following will occur:- The ICS will display a message, and
- You will receive a confirmation e-mail after 5 to 10 minutes.
10. How soon after I submit data can I view it using the ICS?
For high-frequency, data please allow seven business days after you have uploaded your file before attempting to view the data from the ICS. Lower-frequency data will be processed after higher frequency data and will have a longer lag time. Furthermore, data processing differs by data set; hence, some data may not be released for viewing until well after the reporting period. Please contact the ICS Administrator through the Support Center for further information.11. Can I monitor the data reporting of my institution to the IMF Statistics Department so that I can better coordinate our reporting?
No, ICS currently does not have an activity monitor functionality. You can contact us through the Contact support link of this site for more details.12. What is standard login?
Standard ICS login refers to an authentication level requiring a username and password for accessing the secure resources of the ICS. Standard login is now the recommended login method to access the ICS.13. I forgot my username and/or password. What do I do?
For standard login accounts, you may reset your password or retrieve your username directly from the Login page without the assistance of the ICS Administrator.14. What about when I am away from the Office? Can my colleagues get access to the ICS on a temporary basis?
Due to security features of the ICS, you should not share your ICS account information. We recommend that the official correspondent designate more than one ICS correspondent per report form to insure against a lack of access during a staff member’s absence.15. Having trouble logging in?
- Please verify that you typed in your correct username and password.
- Try deleting browsing history, cookies, and cached images and/or files. Cookies are small files that contain information about websites you visit. Because cookies are not automatically deleted, they can accumulate in the cache of your Internet browser, causing it to malfunction. Below are instructions for Internet Explorer 10 and 11 and the latest Google Chrome:
Internet Explorer 10 & 11:
- In the top menu bar, select Tools and Delete Browsing History.... If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible. Or, you can click on the Gear icon → Safety → Delete Browsing History....
- Deselect Preserve Favorites website data
- Select Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and Website Data, and History.
Google Chrome:
- In the browser bar, enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData. Or, you can click on the Hub icon in the top right corner of browser window (three horizontal lines) and select Settings → Show Advanced Settings → Clear browsing data....
- Select Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site and plug- in data, and Cached images and files.
Please note, if the changes are not reflected, try exiting and/or quitting all browser windows and then opening a new window.
- If you still cannot login to the website after trying the above tips, please e-mail ICSINQUIRY@imf.org.