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One of the most difficult challenges in delivering a Fax over IP service is the fact that many organizations face strict regulatory compliance requirements– meaning that in order to use such a service there has to be adequate security for sensitive documents before they are sent over public networks. This is one thing which has prevented many service providers from including a Fax over IP service in with their offerings.

But now, FaxBack (News - Alert), a market leader in fax software solutions, has released the NET SatisFAXtion Port Server - a reliable, secure and scalable VoIP Fax product geared for enterprises and service providers. The company claims this carrier-class system - which uses the HTTPS protocol for transport and encrypts the data via SSL - solves the security and regulatory compliance issues of T.38 Fax over IP methods. With this system, faxes can be sent securely over the Internet, thus guaranteeing the legal standing required for ensuring privacy of medical, financial and legal documents.

The 1U rack-mount system is scalable to a full DS3 (672 ports) and can handle an average throughput of approximately 40,000 faxes per hour. Although it has this massive capacity, FaxBack claims it uses less bandwidth than other Fax over IP systems. The system includes a SDK with powerful APIs, and thus easily adapts to the diverse needs and infrastructures of VoIP service providers, making integration to core provider interfaces and applications extremely simple.

The software navigates easily through local firewall and network address translation (NAT devices), reducing the client side installation issues sometimes associated with T.38 fax protocol. Using FaxBack’s Microsoft (News - Alert) Fax Plug-in, users can easily connect to any Microsoft Fax user with SIP T.38 devices or VoIP service providers, allowing end-users to send and receive faxes directly from Windows applications, including Microsoft Outlook.

The system does not require dedicated and expensive T1/E1 digital fax board hardware – thus it reduces implementation costs. Furthermore it also connects quickly and easily to leading VoIP systems that support SIP T.38, including Cisco, AudioCodes (News - Alert), Sonus and Patton.

The system also offers scalable SQL storage so that all fax transaction data is stored without the need for dual maintenance or synchronization. It also provides full AudioFax/Catch Curve patent coverage.

“As organizations move to IP-based telephony systems, migrating fax should not be a challenge,” said Mike Oliszewski, chief technology officer at FaxBack, in a press release. “This release continues to prove our commitment to providing reliable, market-leading fax software solutions that continue to help organizations automate their fax communications and eliminate outdated equipment such as fax machines and fax boards.”

FaxBack’s line of reliable software applications are used by thousands of global organizations including AT&T (News - Alert), Arco, Bank of America, Compaq, Kaiser Permanente, Kodak, NEC, Sherwin-Williams and Wells Fargo. For more information, visit www.faxback.com.

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Patrick Barnard is Assignment Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.