Low-cost fax-modem-sharing software is an idea whose time has come. Here are a couple of other choices:
Message Port/Pro from Nuko Information Systems is the latest incarnation of Message Port, a package that does more than share fax modems on a network. It's unique in offering low-cost modem pooling, which allows data modems to be shared as well. Originally designed for Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Message Port/Pro now supports all IPX- and NetBIOS-based LANs, so it covers nearly all PC bases.
The package was in prerelease testing at press time and unavailable for review. But I looked at an earlier version of Message Port and found it lacking some essential features, such as wide modem support and the ability to create customized fax cover pages. A company spokesperson says the new version supports all Class 1, Class 2, and CAS (Communica
tions Applications Specification) fax modems and provides advanced features like OCR (optical character recognition). Nuko also says the product can automatically route incoming faxes by using OCR to recognize the name of the recipient. Message Port uses a true client/server approach, with all faxes stored on the server before transmission.
Modem pooling can be handy, but it may create heavy network traffic that bogs down LAN performance. Users with considerable data communications needs are often better off with their own dedicated modems.
Message Port/Pro is priced aggressively, starting at $79 for a stand-alone, non-networked version. A 10-user license is $399; 20 users, $698; 50 users, $898; and 100 users, $998.
DataFax for Workgroups from Trio Information Systems has been available for over two years and is widely used in Europe. It shines in the area of network integration, with drivers for nearly all commonly available networks. Besides the usual server-based and peer-to-peer LANs
supported by the other packages mentioned here, this product also supports Banyan Vines and Windows NT Advanced Server.
DataFax for Workgroups supports nearly all fax modems. Its server component is unique: you can set it up as a nondedicated server or as a true dedicated server. As the latter, it can support up to 24 fax modems on a single PC.
Recognizing that many people use faxes mainly to send quick notes, Trio has provided a QuickFax function that lets you click on an icon and fire off a fax without having to deal with changing printer drivers. This product has the most extensive security features of the products covered here. And, for its features, it's also priced aggressively: two-user license, $249 (additional single users are $89 each); five users, $429; 10 users, $795; 20 users, $1195; 50 users, $1595; 100 users, $1895.
The Facts
Nuko Information Systems, Inc.
1609A South Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
(800) 995-2166
(408) 262-2225
fax: (408) 262-2261
Trio Information Systems, Inc.
8601 Six Forks Rd., Suite 615
Raleigh, NC 27615
(800) 880-4400
(919) 846-4990
fax: (919) 846-4997
Other Faxes Received
