LOW COST EMAIL AND FAX SOLUTIONS
BY JAMES R. PYRICH, SOFTWARE FIRST
The sharp drop in PC prices combined with the need for dynamic workgroups has made office networks grow at extraordinary rates this last year. One of the common requests from property management firms has been for a simple, inexpensive email and fax solution that isn’t going to require a high IT budget or a techno-babysitter.
What these companies are using is a combination of software and Internet services that allows each user on the network to be able to send and receive email and fax through a single phone line rather then an expensive digital connection.
What has been found is that on a Microsoft Windows NT network a combination of Microsoft Exchange Server and Outlook works the best. Through a single phone line Microsoft Exchange Server may be configured to dial-up your Internet Service Provider in order to send and receive email. All of your email is downloaded to your Microsoft Exchange Server and then routed to the recipients. After this has been accomplished, the dial-up connection is dropped. Microsoft Exchange Server can be scheduled to dial-up and check for email several times during the day and evening unattended. Costly, dedicated phone lines and services are thus avoided. Potential unauthorized access to the network is also kept at a minimum of risk.
Added to this solution you can integrate Computer Associates Cheyenne FaxServ to enable all your network users the flexibility of faxing from their desktops. Microsoft Word and Excel files can be sent using a few clicks of the mouse. Company fax coversheets are easy to design and will automatically attach themselves to your documents. Incoming faxes are sent to a common printer where users may retrieve the output.
By providing a cost effective and integrated way of getting the most out of your network, you can have all the bells and whistles of much more expensive solutions. For larger offices or those workgroups that require Internet research there are obviously more right-sized solutions, but you just can’t beat this combination for cost and ease of use.
Since 1979 Software First, Inc. has provided Property Management and HUD software solutions to the New York area. Solution/2000 software integrates accounting, property management, HUD tracking, work orders and inventory. For additional information contact Fred Seltzer: 800-227-7038 or Email: seltzer@sfisolutions.com — Home Page:www.sfisolutions.com.