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Symantec's WinFax Pro 8.0 is the third version of WinFax Pro since the company's acquisition of Delrina.

 According to Symantec regional director Daniel Schneersohn, the company has completely reinvented the product.

 Symantec's redesign makes it a fully 32-bit system which for the first time supports both Windows 95 and Windows NT.

 It is further packed with advanced telephone capabilities, Internet-fax and network features.

 Bonus software includes trial versions of basic anti-virus software and Microsoft's browser, Explorer, turning it into a comprehensive, highly integrated product closer to a complete communications solution than a purely fax solution.

 The first noticeable improvement is the easier installation and interface. Installation is made simpler thanks to the CD-Rom format and Smart Installer and takes less than five minutes.

 The WinFax Controller enables fax transmission without launching the full application. It notifies the user of the status of sent and received faxes as well as of incoming voice messages.

 Few people are aware that a good way to slash long-distance costs is to fax via the Internet.

 Symantec has signed an agreement with United States-based fax service provider NetCentric that allows WinFax Pro to provide the on-line interface for subscribing directly to NetCentric. Once their application is accepted - in less than five minutes - NetCentric subscribers can access its fax server through any Hong Kong Internet service provider.

 Mr Schneersohn said that, although savings might be negligible for traffic around the region, they could be anywhere from 30 to 80 per cent for traffic to the US and Europe.

 Additional examples of integration include the chance to use fax numbers from Symantec's ACT! directory, Microsoft Exchange and Office 97.

 Another convenient fax feature includes Cover Page Design Wizard that enables users who have difficulty choosing between the 100 or so cover-page templates to design their own complete with logo or signature.

 Following the trend of consolidating all communication functions on to the PC, Symantec included TalkWorks with WinFax Pro 8.0.

 Users can turn their PC into a sophisticated voice-mail system complete with 10 mail boxes. Dual-modem support enables users to send and receive faxes simultaneously, or to answer the phone while faxing.

 Mr Schneersohn said the formula was ideal for small companies that wished to, for example, provide a 24-hour fax-on-demand service.

 WinFax Pro 8.0 can act as a network client server for Winfax Pro for Networks or for NET SatisFAXtion.

 WinFax Pro 8.0 also comes with Live Updates, now a common feature of all Symantec products, which enables an updated version on-line at the push of a button. WinFax Pro 8.0 will retail at about $1,000.



Fax frontiers pushed back by Symantec