Corporate fax server for Windows FACSys

Fax server FACSys

FACSys is a client/server product that provides for fax messaging across a variety of platforms. The client software provides the fax scheduling and management interface for Desktop users, while the fax server is responsible for handling inbound andoubound routing. As a result of the separation of tasks, the client workstations do not require large processing power.

FACSys was developed by adhering to industry standards and the Active Fax Messaging Model (AFM) open interface. This allows enterprises to seamlessly integrate FACSys functionality with existing software products and hardware platforms.

Organizations with a unified messaging system in place gain the ability to integrate fax messaging with voice and other electronic messaging systems. UM systems configured to receive and subsequently route inbound messages can detect the specific fax designations (based on the exposed attributes) and route all fax messages to the FACSys fax server (while all other message types are routed to their corresponding systems).

The FACSys Fax Router service allows users to access third party fax messaging services and other networked fax servers by means of "connections." Server-to-server routing is available whereby users can send faxes to other users on their local fax server or to other FACSys servers connected on the network.

The Fax Router service is implemented as a Windows NT service on the fax server and is used by FACSys to deliver a given fax once the server has determined a destination transmission route. Message routing can be influenced by message properties or dial string binding to a connection.

Server-to-server message routing provides for least cost routing among fax servers throughout an organizations IP network. If you have multiple fax servers, you can take advantage of "on-net" fax message routing to lower your fax communications costs.

To prepare file attachments for faxing, FACSys uses the print services of the attachments native application or the INSO Viewer technology. FACSys completely automates fax printer installation during the fax server and client setup process. After installation, the new FACSys Printer is ready for use, configured with a "fax" print driver and fax port binding.

Multiple fax servers give administrators the ability to distribute the tasks of inbound and outbound routing. Administrators can also simultaneously manage the resources of any number of fax servers in the network. Users can log on to any server from the opening logon screen.

Inbound faxes can be routed using any of the following methods:

• DID (direct inward dial)
• DTMF (dual-tone multi-frequency)
• CSID/ANI/DNIS (call subscriber ID remote lookup table)
• line/channel
• routing to email
• routing to network printer
• forwarding to remote fax machine
• manual routing
• routing to FACSys user groups via call subscriber ID, line/channel, DID/DTMF, and manual routing methods
• combinations of routing methods.

The FACSys Desktop is the application from which users manage and monitor their fax mailbox. Using the FACSys Desktop, users customize their personal fax environment, schedule files for faxing, manage the faxes they have sent and received, and manage their personal phonebook and cover pages.

With support for Microsofts System Management Server, installation of the FACSys product is easy even for large corporate installations. System administrators can install the Desktop client onto workstations in an organized fashion without the need to physically install the product on hundreds or even thousands of PCs.

The FACSys Fax Connector operates as a core part of the Microsoft Exchange Server architecture. Because of the complete integration between the systems, the Fax Connector takes advantage of the message routing, management, and monitoring features built into Microsoft Exchange Server.

Some features of Fax Connector include:

• complete configuration and control over the Fax Connector from Microsoft Exchange Administrator
• automatic load balancing and fax server resource pooling
• watch-dog facilities and full fault-recovery
• least cost routing of fax messages
• allows for mixed addressing within the same mail message
• Microsoft Outlook support
• automated synchronization with existing NT accounts
• cover page support and configuration
• client fax extension and Outlook forms support

FACSys Web Agent is an add-on component to Fax Messaging Gateway that allows desktop Internet browsers to act as a front-end to the FACSys fax server services. Web Agent users can access their corporate fax servers over local, wide-area or remote Internet/Intranet connections. Now from the office, while traveling or from home, remote and mobile users can manage their fax files, send faxes, and receive faxes.