Fax Server Comparison

[MasterRacker]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this.

We have an older installation of ReplixFax/Windows. I'm looking at either renewing support and upgrading it or possibly replacing it with RightFax. Basic needs are just inbound & outbound faxing.

Anyone have experience with both products that could provide a comparison?

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Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[Sympology]

We had rightfax a few years ago and it was awful. However, my comments are not really fair as 50% of the problem was the way it was set up (direct into and Option 61 on which the ISDN to the FaxServer kept locking up).
Problem was we could never work out if the Fax server was taking the meridian down or the other way round.
I'd be interested in other peoples views as we need to look again at a soloution as faxs over IP are a pain (we have a few Pure IP sites) and I'm pushing for a dedicated Fax Server on a PRI.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[MasterRacker]

In our case, the Replix server is using analog ports on an Avaya S8300/G700 setup.



_____
Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[mattKnight]

Stu = Interesting... was that on BRI or PRI? IIRC RF now supports full T38 faxing over IP

(It is a while since I last used Rightfax - I used to work for a UK reseller)
RightFax was a superb product, with oodles of options. I rarely had major lockup problems with analogue connections, but IIRC I didn't do that many ISDN implementations (and no PRI ones)

I'd have no problems recommending Rightfax, if your pockets are deep enough - it isn't a cheap option.

Take Care

Matt
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

 

[phannaharise]

Biscom Faxcom may be another solution, if the Rightfax costs are two high. In selecting my Fax Server solution, I had reviewed over 50 vendors, of those, some provided pure FoIP, pure TDM, and hybrid solutions. When it comes down to it, those that provide TDM solutions use either Dialogic or Cantata (I believe now are both the same company) cards.

With more and more vendors supporting T.38, there are now "software cards" which are simply drivers that act as cards to the fax software to perform the T.38 conversion.

My criteria for selection was TDM support (specifically ISDN PRI) with the ability to migrate to FoIP via H.323 (T.38) in the future. The Faxcom product uses the Cantata TR1034 card, and the specific model of the card supports both TDM and FoIP.

One piece to keep in mind, is anything over analog will most likely be licensed per similtaneous channel, so you will want to be prepared with estimates of your fax traffic.

I ran TDM for approximately 6 months with no issues, and just recently converted to FoIP with minimal issues (issues I did encounter were PBX side).

In both configurations, calls were originating and terminating to ISDN PRI, through a PBX.

Based on the criteria you provided, it sounds as if your needs are quite simple to fill, so your next decision should be costs and integrating with your existing telephony/network environment.

Patrick Hannah
Systems Engineer
Arise – formerly Willow CSN