Introduction

IRISA/Fax is an Irisa sub-system dedicated to Fax transmission ; it extends the Irisa multimedia communication server with Fax transmission capabilities.

Key features

Like any other Irisa sub-system, IRISA/FAX supports load-balancing, auto-monitoring, restart on error, etc.

It includes the following components :

· An Irisa Fax sub-system, available for Unix platforms only :

· A document send request queuing

· A document level prioritisation

· A multi-cast transmission

· A back-up destination

· A failure monitoring, automatic retry

· A parameterised retry

· A phone line optimisation

· Detailed real-time logs

· A journal for billing purpose

· A Supervisor tool (Windows or UNIX)

· A Windows or X/Motif user interface

· Pause/run/cancel transmission jobs

· A Real-time queue state monitoring

· A real-time device monitoring

· An usage rate, transmission channel error percentage

· A Fax file document generation (TIFF format), using a macro-language

· A text file conversion

· Front and back cover pages

· A horizontal or vertical orientation

· User-defined fonts with sizes

· All the attributes : bold, italic, reverse, etc.

· International accentuated character sets

· Semi-graphic characters

· A page formatting (margins)

· An image and logo inlaying

· A variable field inlaying

· Various graphics format to insert

· A TIFF document generation

· A compatibility with many office tools

· A driver for fax/modem class 2, Multitech MT2834BLF or compatible :

· Send or receive group 3 facsimile

· T4 and T30 protocols

· A failure detection and management

Benefits

Fax documents can be created from a mix of different data sources : database server, mainframe, scanning device, Irisa application, files, etc.

It is designed to allow bulk transmission, with tens of thousands pages per day, on many communication lines.

IRISA/Fax is suitable for critical applications by offering security features : retry on error, backup destination, alerts, etc. Detailed journals my be generated for billing.

Distinctive characteristics

IRISA/Fax supports bulk transmission, its secure architecture offering maximum availability :

· Distributed architecture

· Programming interface or user interface

· Unlimited number of phone lines

· Unlimited copies deployed in a distributed architecture

· Bulk transmission, multi-cast transmission (“mailing”)

· Cost optimisation based on time/tariff tables

· Real-time monitoring, multi-criteria queue filtering

· 10 priorities at the document level

Implementation examples

· Fax On Demand : a voice or IVR application allows the customer to order documents (weather forecast, map, technical brochure, etc.) and to receive them on a fax machine

· Home banking : alongside Audiotex, Videotex or Internet services, the customer may choose and receive by Fax account balances, financial quotations, on demand or automatically (mailing, alert, delivery confirmation, etc.)

· Mailbox : an email or Videotex message is automatically forwarded to one or many fax machines

· Alert centre : an alert message is automatically transmitted to subscribers ( weather alerts, etc.)