Does anyone have experience with Samsung OfficeServ phone systems? Or Xerox Workcentres?

Before resorting to an internet faxing service, I want to make sure I have exhausted all options. Let us accept that adding another dedicated line would solve this problem instantly, but for whatever reason is not feasible.

I cannot get solid confirmation that there's a way to dial a number + extension to reach a specific fax machine. Also there's a Xerox Workcentre 5655 which can probably function as a fax server. (I assume this is what most large businesses use to distinguish Bob in HR from Mary in Accounting) but I'm not too familiar with setting this up. How does the fax server know who the particular incoming transmission is for?

Thanks TT

6/9/2009 3:21:56 PM

If you only have 1 inbound phone number its going to be a bitch unless you do your ivr right. The ivr will need to be interruptable by the extension dialing the second it gets a digit. This also means that anyone sending you a fax probably has to dial something like phonenumber,wait,wait,wait,extension which is just a mess.

If you cant get another physical line in, what about adding an additional DID so that you can send that directly to the fax machine. Also, as far as distinguishing one account from another most fax software does this based on the incoming DNIS that comes with the call.

6/9/2009 3:33:50 PM

ok let me clarify. There are at least like 5 outbound lines here. One of them is strictly fax/cc though and I wasn't sure how using another one of the inbound lines would affect voice calls. I don't know much about phone systems (that's the other side of the company i work for) but the numbers are all in succession, so I dunno if there are some that aren't tied to any voice line right now or what.

My goal is simply to allow one employee to either have their faxes held on the workcentre with a pin (it already holds printjobs). Have the xerox realize it's her fax and email it to her or let her set up a fax machine in her office or somewhere else, which ultimately would have an extension tied to it.

Honestly I'm not really sure of the most streamlined course of action here, but I know it has to be a fairly common issue. My google skills have failed miserably in my quest for a solution.

6/9/2009 3:41:22 PM

GFI FAXmaker. http://www.gfi.com

You'll need a fax board or DTMF capable modem. It will turn your faxes into e-mails and send them to people based on the DID or DTMF attached to the call. You will be calling your telephone company to set up the DTMF/DID (depending on your phone system).

Granted, that means abandoning your fax machines, but is that really the worst thing in the world? I used to work for them, the software is relatively inexpensive, it my be worth a look.

6/9/2009 3:42:10 PM

I think the Xerox already does that. I just need to figure out if it's a separate addon or if it's something I just haven't been able to set up yet.

The DID/DTMF information is what's throwing me off about the whole process. Are we basically going to create/assign a "virtual number" for the person in question to hand out as the fax line from now on?

[Edited on June 9, 2009 at 3:55 PM. Reason : OCR routing, hrm...]

6/9/2009 3:47:35 PM

The line has to be configured to do this. Either it will be DID from the telco. I highly doubt this because DID lines are not powered by the telco so if you plugged them into a non-DID device they wouldn't do shit. If you plug regular lines (which are powered) into a DID device you'll fuck up the device.

So, you're talking DTMF. You'd have to work with your telephone company and your phone system to set it up so that when they dial a number on your block xxx-5400 the 5400 is passed down as DTMF. Then I assume there's some configuration in your Xerox to send it via that DTMF. I'm not familiar with the Xerox system but I could set you up with FAXmaker with my eyes closed.

Just call Xerox and tell them you want to set your machine up for DTMF routing and see if they have any idea what you're talking about.

6/9/2009 4:00:39 PM

Apparently they don't have a PRI, so DID is out. Is DTMF available on plain copper lines? The more I research this Xerox model, it doesn't look too capable of inbound fax routing anyway.

I'm going to say fuck it and just set up a repository for every fax that comes through. Since it's only one person not receiving hard copies, they can search a google apps account or something in the mean time.

6/9/2009 4:18:15 PM

DTMF are just like the tones that you hear when you dial numbers, so I don't see why they wouldn't be supported on copper. In fact, it may already be setup if you have a block of numbers from the telco.

6/10/2009 8:50:56 AM