On Tuesday, March 16, 1999 09:22, Ben Bruno [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
said,

> In several responses to Paul Nauman's request to fax from the HP3000,
> permit me to snip in my comments:

[snip the long message]

Ben makes some strong points, as do others.

If one wants to fax from the 3000, 3K Associates and STR Software have some
of the best and most widely used solutions available.

As for Cost - Ben is again correct, but allow me to interject - cost is
always perceived as high at first.  I've been having a conversation on
"perception" with others lately - and this falls right into line.  It's
called Sticker-Shock, or the perceived high cost of the software for the
initial perception of low return.

Here's an example:  Anyone can go out and purchase WinFax Pro - the
grandaddy of all Windows-based Fax Software products (and it ain't Yuk,
either).  It works with Exchange Server on NT.  WinFax Pro can be had for a
couple hundred US dollars (and here's where the problem comes in) - per
workstation.

Exchange Server runs into the thousands once one licenses NT, client
licenses, and Exchange.  By the time one is done putting together an
Exchange-based Fax Server with WinFax Pro, they have spent pretty much what
one would spend with 3K or STR.

If all you need is to fax from a single or a couple of PCs, and have the
phone lines to deal with that, then maybe WinFax is the answer.  WinFax
works with other Fax Servers other than Exchange as well - but the cost is
still high - again, about what one would pay for the 3000-based solutions.

The "pressure point" IMO, is about 5-6 PCs.  If you have 5-6 PCs which need
to have the capability to fax, then a fax server is about the same cost as
5-6 WinFax clients, phone lines and modems, plus you get the added
capabilities that come with it (such as Directed Dial - faxes are routed to
the inboxes of the people intended, spooled output, etc.).

Again - it's perceived that a PC-based fax is the cheapest way to go - and a
good way.  It is, for a small number of PCs -- but if you NEED a fax server,
it's not.

Regards,
Joe Geiser

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Joe Geiser, President and Senior Partner
CSI Business Solutions, LLC
Phone: +1(215) 945.8100   Fax: +1(215) 943.8408
Toll Free (US/Canada): (877) 945.8100
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