jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) (11/22/90)
Over the past few months I have sent a number of notes to the net asking
for information and user experiences of packages enabling faxes to be sent
directly from Sun workstations. In response to these articles I received a
number of requests to share the results of my 'survey' with the net. This
article therefore aims to provide a summary of the main packages which
I have examined during my survey.
Since the majority of packages seem to originate in the U.S. I have been
unable to actually see any of the packages in use, and have therefor based
the following summary, on details appearing in the various manufacturers
sales literature.
P.S.
To everybody who replied to my original requests for information I would
like to say a big thankyou, the information provided was extremely helpful.
Packages assessed:-
1. Isofax
2. Faxmodem 9600/Perfect fax
3. S-Fax
4. Faxlink
5. Unifax
6. Trufax
1. Isofax
The Bristol Group Ltd, The Bristol Group Deutschland GmbH,
P.O. Box 910, Dreieichstrabe 10,
Londonderry, D6082 Morfelden-Walldorf,
New Hampshire 03053. Germany.
Phone : 603 437-3700 Phone : 0 6105 2945
Fax : 603 437-3220 Fax : 0 6105 25395
Overview
Isofax is a modular software package, based on five key modules. The
package uses an Everex/Abaton faxmodem (which is currently not British
Telecom approved) but BG claim that a version of the package working with
a BT approved modem will be available at some time in the near future.
Hardware supported by the package includes Sun3, and Sun4(SPARC) machines.
Key Features
Incoming and outgoing faxes
Graphical (SunWindows) and command line interface's
Input files accepted - ASCII, raster and postscript
Floating network license
On screen viewing of faxes
Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes
Multiple destinations
Incoming and Outgoing activity logs
Fax Phone directory
2. Faxmodem 9600/Perfect fax
Perfect Byte Inc.
7121 Cass Street,
Omaha,
Nebraska 68132 Phone : 402 554-1122
United States Fax : 402 554-1938
Overview
The Faxmodem 9600 is a complete package comprising a fax modem
and driver/application software. The modem is currently not BT approved,
though PB say they have applied for approval and expect their modem to be
approved within the next 12 weeks. Faxmodem 9600 is an external device
which plugs into a dedicated asynch serial port on the host workstation.
The package requires a diskful Sun-4 workstation with a minimum of 10MB of
free space.
Key Features
Incoming and outgoing faxes
Graphical (SunView and OpenWindows) and command line interface's
Input files accepted - ASCII, raster and postscript
E-mail notification of receipt of fax and other fax activity
Onscreen viewing of faxes
Floating network license
Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes
Multiple destinations
Incoming and Outgoing activity logs
Fax Phone directory
3. S-Fax
Systems & Telecoms Ltd.,
Phoenix House,
1 Station Hill,
Reading,
Berks, Phone : 0734 500451
RG1 1NB Fax : 0734 505069
Overview
S-Fax is one of three products offered by S&T, the other two being S-Telex
and S-message. The S-Fax package consists of an external fax modem
together with driver software. The modem connects to the host workstation
via an RS232 Asynch port and has full BT or PTT approval. S-Fax claims to
run on any processor running the Unix operating system. Currently S-Fax
does not support the receipt of incoming faxes
Key Features
Outgoing faxes only
Menu and command line interface's
Input files accepted - ASCII, and postscript
Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes
Multiple destinations
Activity logs
Fax Phone directory
Automatic retries
4. Faxlink
Link Solutions Ltd.,
Guardian House,
Borough Road,
Godalming,
Surrey, Phone : 0483 860383
GU7 2AE. Fax : 0483 426313
Overview
Faxlink is one of a family of products which include TelexLink, InfoLink
and AutoLink, the various products/modules may either be combined or
used in isolation. A number of versions of Faxlink are available to
support various fax modems, these include; Data & Control Equipments
Faxbox, and the Hasler faxmodem (both of which are I believe BT approved).
Link Solutions have a fairly lengthy list of supported hardware for their
products, although when I contacted them at the beginning of September
this list did not include any Sun systems. Link did claim however, that
they would be releasing an upgraded version of Faxlink (with several new
features) which would be supported on Sun Sparcstations during September.
Key Features
Outgoing faxes only
Menu and command line interface's
Input files accepted - ASCII
Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes
Multiple destinations
Fax audit trail
Fax Phone directory
Automatic retries
5. Unifax
Faxxis International Inc.,
13355 Noel Road,
Suite 500,
Dallas, Phone : 214 702-7999
Texas 75240. Fax : 214 702-7992
Overview
Unifax is mainly intended for use on PC's running Xenix, (the graphical
front end and fax previewer being meant for use with EGA/VGA screens).
Faxxis did however claim to be completing support for Sun O/S and to be
providing X-windows support on 88000 architectures, when I contacted them
back in August
Unifax may be used in conjunction with a number of different fax modems,
including the Everex/Abaton and JT Fax 9600 modems.
Key Features
Incoming and outgoing faxes
Graphical (EGA/VGA, X-Windows due Sep/Oct 90) and command line interface's
Input files accepted - ASCII, and TIFF/F (postscript due Sept 90)
E-mail notification of receipt of fax and other fax activity
Onscreen viewing of faxes
Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes
Multiple destinations
Incoming and Outgoing activity logs
6. Trufax
COS Inc.,
9 Huron Way,
Lawrencville, Phone : 609 771-6705
NJ 08648 Fax : 609 530-0898
Overview
Trufax is another fax product which is mainly intended for use with
386 based PC's running either Unix or Xenix. When I contacted COS Inc.
however, I was informed that a Sun-4 version was being beta tested and
that it was due for release towards the end of October.
Trufax supports only external fax modems and their literature makes
specific reference to the Everex Everfax modem.
Trufax is designed as a set of tools, which can be used from the command
line.
Key Features
Incoming and outgoing faxes
Command line interface
Input files accepted - ASCII, and TIFF/F
E-mail notification of receipt of fax
Onscreen viewing of faxes
Automatic retries