[olug] hacking fax hardware to make compatible with AsterFax.sf.net

[Jeff Hinrichs - DM&T]

Rob,

I've seen this functionality in a couple offices,  they were using
	TOSHIBA e-STUDIO450 multi-function but they are definitely not
sub-$1000 machines.  Fax to email, Scan to drive, etc.  I would
recommend looking for one that has fax to email capabilities and then
see if they are "hackable" as far as easily fixing the subject line.

-Jeff

On 7/31/06, Rob Townley <rob.townley at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am hoping to get a sub $1000.00 multi function fax, copier, scanner
> (does not need to be a printer) that could handle the following
> scenario.  It may have to be hacked, so if anyone has pointers to open
> source firmware hacks to a multifunction fax, please let me know.
>
> Objectives: First, push more of our wiring infrastructure to all
> Ethernet to eliminate analog and digital phone line runs and the
> complications therein.  Second, make paper based faxing more reliable
> and easier.  Please no flames that fax was replaced by email a decade
> ago and that faxing is archaic and the real answer is to get rid of
> paper - i already know that.
>
> Scenario:  receptionist walks up to the multifunction fax machine,
> loads a 40 page fax document, enters the fax number, and walks away.
> Later, she monitors a fax queue on a computer server attached to an
> actual analog outgoing fax line.  It is 40 pages, so it may have to be
> resent or edited or the telephone number changed - simple because this
> can all be handled by software.  The receptionists can keep track
> better of which faxes had trouble sending and resend them.
>
> How:  The physical paper fax machine would have an option to hardcode
> an email address to forward ALL outgoing faxes to, say
> faxqueue at asterfax on the internal local area network.  The subject of
> the email would contain the outgoing fax #.   Asterfax's email to fax
> gateway would take care of the rest by decoding the fax # and actually
> dialing a number to send out the fax.  All i need is the hardware and
> firmware.  HP and Brother both have had inexpensive multifunction
> machines for a few years that have the foundations for this, but i am
> not aware of any that have this exact solution of eliminating the need
> for the analog phone line except in the server room.
> _______________________________________________
> OLUG mailing list
> OLUG at olug.org
> http://lists.olug.org/mailman/listinfo/olug
>


-- 
Jeff Hinrichs
Dundee Media & Technology, Inc
jeffh at dundeemt.com
402.320.0821