In an effort to help developers incorporate fax over IP services into their software applications, New Jersey-based etherFAX on Tuesday officially released its Web services software development kit (SDK).

The SDK will enable third parties to utilize the etherFAX infrastructure as a service (IaaS) model to build out fax services without having to deal with the complications and costs of traditional telephony hardware, according to a company statement.

By extending fax server technologies to the cloud, organizations can refrain from purchasing expensive components like fax boards and servers, as well as costly recurring telephone expenses. Instead, fax over IP solutions utilize the Web to manage all fax-related communications.

etherFAX's IaaS model incorporates a wide number of virtual ports, enabling users to securely send and receive vast quantities of fax transmissions. In addition, organizations do not need to sign up any long-term contracts or pay any scheduled fees. The company's pay-as-you-go model enables customers to virtually eliminate capital expenditures.

“Utilizing the web allows for a more reliable and secure transmission, eliminates the possibility of inherit problems with T.38, and no longer requires organizations to invest in any capital telephony infrastructure,” etherFAX CTO Robert Cichielo noted in a statement.

Third party developers can feel confident in building applications based on the company's platform because it is the foundation of etherFAX's own line of fax over IP products, Cichielo added.

etherFAX CEO Paul Banco said that a number of customers and developers are currently in the process of testing and integrating etherFAX using the company's API.

“Fax communications are very important to a range of industries and our SDK will allow enterprise organizations to cloud-enable their fax applications in a cost-effective manner,” Banco added.

In related news, Colorado-based FaxCore recently took home TMC's (News - Alert) 2010 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award.

The fax over IP server software vendor was recognized for its FaxCore (News - Alert) 2010 application, which delivers fax traffic over enterprise IP networks of any size.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell