On Line Ordering - The main steps in detail

Start your request

STEP 1 : How to make your selections

• Sub-step 1.1 : Select a Data Set Start
  • Visit the complete archive catalogue. If you wish to start selecting data, just click on "order" for the Data Set that interests you. A brief "description" of each Data Set is also available separately.
  • The list that you will find there is dynamically built from the contents of the MARS metadata databases. It includes all our available Data Sets and it represents the exact state of the MARS archive. Every one of the billions of meteorological fields can be reached and ordered from there.
  • You can also use our special price data list to select a Data Set or to read the description of the Data Set that interests you.

Please Note : If you don't know exactly what you are looking for, you may need to visit our how to find data help section.


• Sub-step 1.2 : Define the Period
  • Now you have selected a Data Set and the "Define the Period " web page is displayed. The table on the current page specifies the available "Period" of the selected "Data Set".
• Select a "Period" and click on the "next step"
• Please note:
  • A particular "Data Set" covers a particular "Period" only.
  • To define the "start date" and the "end date" of the period :
    • Click on the table (select the month and the year) or
    • Fill in the form at the top of the page
  • If you wish to select more than one period, please use the corresponding link and fill in the multiple period form.
• Once you have defined the period, click the "next step" at the top of the web page.
  
  

• Sub-step 1.3 : Select Times and Steps

• At this stage you have already selected a Data Set, you have defined a period and the "Select Times and Steps" web page is displayed.
• The current page shows the available "Times" and "Steps" (if any) of your selections so far.
• Select the items you require and then click the "next step".
• Remember :
  • A particular "Data Set" for a particular "Period", includes only specific "Times" and "Steps"
  • "Steps" need to be defined for forecast Data Sets only.
  • You can select more than one "Times" and "Steps"
    
    
• Step 1.4 : Select Parameters and Levels
  • You have defined the "Times" and "Steps" (if any) of your current request and the "Select Parameters and Levels" web page is displayed.
  • The current page shows the "Parameters"and "Levels" available for your selections so far.
  • Select the "Parameters" and "Levels"(if any) you require and then click the "next step".
  • Please note : "Levels" need be defined for upper air Data Sets only.
    
    
• Step 1.5 : Select Representation and Grid
  • Click the "Grid" icon and define the grid of your current selection.
  • Please note : For some Data Sets the Representation and the Grid are predefined.
    
    
• Step 1.6 : Define the Geographic Area
  • Click the "Area" icon and define the area for your current request.

At this point the selection procedure has been completed.

STEP 2 : Get a costing for your current request and add it to your shopping cart

• Once you have completed your selections, the system will provide you with a cost estimate for your current request . Take a moment to read this information.
• If satisfied, you can now add the current request to your shopping cart ( press "add to shopping cart"); if not, you can try a new data selection.
• Remember :
  • Your "Shopping Cart" may contain more than one request.Your selections are always saved.
    

STEP 3 : Check your "Shopping Cart", get the total cost estimate and proceed to checkout.

• The "Shopping Cart" web page includes separate descriptions of and cost estimates for all your requests so far.
• Each time you add a new request to your "Shopping Cart", the system provides you with the revised total charges.
• Take a moment to review the details of and charges for all the requests you have placed in your "Shopping Cart".
  
• If you decide that you don't want to purchase a particular request, click the "erase" icon in the righthand column of the table. The item will move to the "Cancelled Items" list.
• If you wish to save the items in your current "Shopping Cart" for later, click the "Save for later " link.
• At this point you may proceed to checkout
• Remember :
  • Your selections and the personal details you enter are always saved.
  • You have the choice of using your previously stored information in future costings.
  • Details of requests or personal information you have supplied are not made available to third parties.
• Please note : Pricing appearing in your shopping cart is indicative only and is subject to confirmation by e-mail from ECMWF Data Services.
  

How to save your selections

• If you don't wish to submit your "current shopping cart" you may save it for later; simply click on the "save for later" option.
  

How to retrieve your saved selections

• If you wish to add a "saved order" or a "saved shopping cart" to your "current shopping cart", select the "view your past requests" from the "shopping cart" web page.
• Select the "saved shopping cart" (i.e. saved 1, saved 2 etc.) you require.
• Click on the order you require from the submenu "add to shopping cart" on your left
• The order will be added to your "current shopping cart" and the total cost will be updated.
  

STEP 4: Insert or edit your personal information

• Before you submit your requests, you will be asked to fill in a "Personal Details" form.
• The following information is mandatory: name, organization, address and email address .
• The following information would be useful as well : telephone number, fax number, and VAT ID number, your computer model and operating system and the media you wish the data to be written to.
• Fill in this form as completely as possible, so that we can meet your order most efficiently.
• Enter this information only if you have decided to place an on-line order.
• If you have already entered this information, you don't need to re-enter it.

Remember :

• The personal details you enter are saved. You have the choice of using your previously stored personal details in future costings.
• The system gives you the ability to change this information.
• We do not share the personal information you have supplied with third parties. Please read our Privacy Policy.

STEP 5: Submit your shopping cart

• Once you have entered the required information you can submit your "Shopping Cart" .
• Click "Submit Shopping Cart".
• Please check that the information you have provided us is correct, before you submit your "Shopping Cart".
• Once you have submitted your "Shopping Cart" you will automatically receive an e-mail acknowledgment of your request.
• Remember : A "Shopping Cart" can be submitted only if you have filled in the "Personal details" form. If you don't wish to submit your "Shopping Cart", you don't have to fill in your personal details.
  

Confirmation and final submission

Within a short time of the automatic acknowledgment we will send you an e-mail containing the confirmed cost; this e-mail will also have a PDF file attached, with the following forms that you must complete, sign and return to us either by Post or Fax :

1. the "ECMWF order conditions for research" form,
2. the "ECMWF order conditions" form and
3. the "ECMWF data payment rules".

This completes the ordering process.

Your order will be sent to you at the address you have provided to us, once payment has been received and cleared. For further information please read our data payment rules.

Please allow 15 working days for delivery of your order.