Fax to the Max
By Khali Henderson, Phone +
FaxCore Corp. announced in mid-May the launch of an aggressive channel initiative to deliver customized fax communications solutions. The reason for the strong push is the company, a former VAR itself, needs some help evangelizing its product to small and medium-sized businesses. You see, it's not your father's fax machine, but a true "production faxing" system.
What's that? The company's new FaxCore 4300 integrates the Internet and mixed-mode messaging to make sending and receiving of documents via fax as easy as e-mailing. It's a fax server? Well, yes, but the key difference is, by using Microsoft's .NET framework, it can fax-enable business processes and streamline workflow.
"Fax servers can be integrated with applications to trigger workflow and automate business processes," explains analyst Peter Davidson, president of Davidson Consulting. "For example, the technology can be used to fax sales confirmations or purchase orders once a transaction is completed. Additionally, fax is widely used with EDI and other e-business applications, to confirm delivery, as it provides a proven method of transport."
Tom Linhard, president of FaxCore, explains, despite the Internet, faxing remains viable. While instant messaging and e-mail are replacing phone calls, business documents (e.g., purchase orders, invoices, advanced ship notices) still are faxed, he says. Two reasons are that fax delivery is guaranteed and is considered a legal document while e-mail is neither. So, fax remains the cheaper alternative to mail, which can cost as much as $1 per message whereas a fax is only pennies.
FaxCore 4300 is a Web-based solution for centralizing, controlling and managing fax communications. FaxCore's "mixed-mode" messaging capability allows users to send documents via fax and/or e-mail transmissions by selecting recipients from address books or one-off addresses. Utilizing an advanced SMTP communications engine, FaxCore can track and manage notifications and scheduling or can be integrated with Microsoft Exchange and other e-mail platforms. Using a thin-client system, FaxCore can "fax-enable" other applications, including CRM, ERP, financial and standard Microsoft Office productivity software with as few as 10 lines of code.
FaxCore 4300 is available starting at $1,995. FaxCore also offers a hosted fax communications service. FaxCore offers its partners margins of at least 35 percent.
Linhard says one the biggest reasons a partner would want to consider adding fax solutions is because it still is a high-margin business. Right now, he adds, much of the legacy technology is primed for replacement.
"As a new FaxCore Business Partner, we have begun deploying FaxCore 4300 -- and in most cases replacing older fax server solutions," affirms Paul Banco, vice president of sales, CiBan Inc., a technology reseller based in New Jersey. "The thin-client platform allows us to integrate a broad range of features and functionality, including custom applications that are providing clients with the capability to streamline their internal operations."
One of the more useful applications is archiving, Banco notes, He cites the example of a township that must file and retrieve legal documents such as titles and deeds. One you bring it into the server, Linhard adds, it's there forever and can be retrieved based on key word searches.
Banco adds compared to earlier fax server solutions, FaxCore is much easier and faster to install, enabling him to make more money on each job than before.
FaxCore also provides a platform to customize solutions, creating additional revenue opportunities for add-on system sales and service. Additionally, the program offers training, lead generation and the opportunity to participate in a range of promotional activities, such as direct mail campaigns, seminars and trade shows.
Depending on the dollar sales, FaxCore offers its partners three levels -- Business, Gold and Platinum. In addition, FaxCore is developing a "Summit Club" program that rewards top performers with vacations to exotic destinations. This program is open to FaxCore partners that have done at least $1 million in sales annually.
All new partners receive a starter kit, which includes a welcome letter with a copy of the signed agreement, information on the FaxCore Partner Program, a FaxCore Partner Program wall plaque, FaxCore shirts and other promotional material and training. Marketing information and programs (except co-op) are available to all partners as part of the Starter Kit. Co-op program details are provided only to partners at the business level or above.