[January 3, 2002]

Panasonic's Fax Gateway Software Transforms Internet Fax Machines Into Fully Functional, Robust LAN Fax Servers

Panasonic introduces Panafax Fax Gateway v2.1 software, which gives both small and large volume businesses a desktop fax solution. One of the software's key features is the ability to manage both e-mail and fax transmissions through one Universal Outbox rather than having to use one type of software to manage e-mail and another for fax.

In addition to supporting the Panafax DX Network Fax Series, the software transforms Panasonic's WORKiO series of digital systems into fully functional and robust LAN fax servers.

Panafax Fax Gateway software takes advantage of the DX fax machines and certain WORKiO digital systems ability to utilize the existing LAN (Local Area Network) and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection simultaneously. As a result, faxes can be sent directly from a PC as easily as e-mail, transmitting with a high degree of security.

The scalability and flexibility of the Panafax Fax Gateway software enables users to maximize their existing resources. Many desktop fax solutions require the installation of additional telephone lines, computers and network software. This adds cost and increases the workload of MIS staff who administers the system.

With the Panafax Fax Gateway, each Internet Fax machine becomes a single line fax server, and each client PC needs only a driver to perform LAN faxing. This software can build not only a standalone system but also a full scale Intranet-wide Fax Server system using the existing fax phone lines.

Reliability and increased productivity are also important benefits to be gained from this LAN fax solution, which operates on hard-coded firmware. There are various "software" LAN fax solutions on the market today but computer and software-based solutions can crash.

Panasonic's "hardware" solution features state-of-the-art-coding technology embedded on a IC chip in the Internet Fax machine which significantly reduces the chance of a crash.

The Panafax Fax Gateway software simplifies transmitting faxes from Desktop PC's using remote Panasonic Internet fax machines or digital copiers with Internet capability. The Least Cost Routing (LCR) feature automatically determines which Internet Fax Gateway to use on the network in order to keep telephone costs to a minimum.

The fax is relayed from the originating PC, over the Intranet/Internet, to the supported Panasonic unit that serves the destination area. The Internet Fax then dials out using PSTN to transmit the fax. An Automatic Load Balancing (ALB) feature ensures that the workload gets distributed evenly among all available Internet fax machines. As a result, long distance and international fax calls become local calls when the Internet Fax is placed local to the final destination. This represents huge cost savings in long distance phone bills.

In addition, Panafax Fax Gateway software has the ability to create, edit and archive Auto Dial lists remotely via e-mail. Fax and e-mail address books can be created on a PC. Auto Dial lists can then be sent via e-mail to a remote Internet fax machine or digital copier with Internet capability, thus saving the time it takes to program massive phone lists or e-mail addresses from the control panel of the machine.

Panafax Fax Gateway software allows for remote retrieval and editing, via e-mail, of Internet parameters. The software enables users to view all network/e-mail configurations.

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