To accommodate different application and network service requirements, UNI can operate in either on-line or batch operating modes or in a combination of both.
On-line operating mode
When operating strictly in on-line mode, UNI uses the inter-process communication protocol available on the platform it is operating on (e.g. TDQ for CICS, Message Queues for UNIX, etc.) to exchange messages with the site application and the site communication software.
Batch operating mode
When operating strictly in batch mode, UNI uses batch sequential files to exchange messages with the site application and the site communication software.
Batch application/On-line network service
For some AAMVA applications, it is possible to format messages in batch mode and then use the on-line network service NCS to transmit them. In this case, the site application passes a batch sequential file of messages to UNI but UNI sends the messages to the site communication software using the inter-process communication protocol available on the platform.
On-line application/Batch network service
In this configuration, the site application sends the messages to UNI using the inter-process communication protocol available on the platform, and UNI passes a batch sequential file of messages to the site communication software.