FaxPress Premier WebHelp: Email Gateways Guide > MSOutlook Environments

MS Outlook Environments

Other Related Topics...

About Outlook Direct

Installed from the FaxPress 9.x CD, the FaxPress Outlook Direct service software provides a convenient, client-based way for Microsoft Outlook users to send and receive faxes as easily as email, right from their Outlook client. Client rather than server-based, Outlook Direct can operate independently of an Exchange server, making it ideal for smaller networks.

Outlook Direct allows the use of familiar Outlook commands to create, address, and send faxes right from the Outlook inbox. Attachments are rendered into fax file format for most applications, letting you send attached files to both fax and email recipients simultaneously.

The Castelle FaxPress Transport, a service added to your email profile, connects Outlook to the FaxPress server. The FaxPress Transport delivers messages to the FaxPress for faxing, enables viewing of FaxPress’s list of inbound and outbound faxes, allows the user to set faxing parameters, and notifies users of personal incoming faxes.

FaxPress Outlook Direct periodically polls the FaxPress for incoming faxes. When you receive a new fax, Outlook Direct will, by default, dispatch a notice to your client mailbox with the incoming fax attached. You can also configure Outlook Direct to deliver only the fax notice, then use the Castelle>FaxPress Tools>View Incoming Faxes option Outlook Direct creates in your Outlook Tools menu to view the fax. In either case, you can view incoming faxes right from your Outlook inbox.

Outlook Direct and Exchange

Although no Exchange server is required, Outlook Direct can be used with Exchange server 5.5, 2000 or 2003 when a client-based rather than server-based solution is preferred. Exchange Administrators who prefer not to have the Exchange Connector running on their Exchange server may decide to deploy Outlook Direct on client workstations instead.

Network and Client Requirements

Outlook Direct is designed to operate in network environments running Microsoft Outlook. Outlook Direct is not supported by and cannot be used with Outlook Express.

FaxPress Outlook Direct is designed for use with these operating systems:

Windows 95/98/2000/ 2003/NT 4.x /ME/XP

For Outlook Direct to function, client machines must have:

FaxPress 9.x client software installed
TCP/IP or IPX/SPX and an Ethernet card installed and enabled
an active mail client – Outlook 2000/2003/XP

Outlook Direct in an Exchange Server Environment

The Outlook mail client must be fully operational (i.e., able to send and receive email successfully), and also configured:

as the default mail application. (From the Start Menu, select Settings>Control Panel>Internet Options> Programs tab. From the Email pull-down menu, select Outlook.)
for Corporate or Workgroup rather than Internet email use. (From your Outlook inbox, select Tools>Options> Mail Services tab, then click the Reconfigure Mail Support button and follow the prompts.)

For more information, please see Configuring the Mail Client in an Exchange Environment.

Outlook Direct in a Non-Exchange Server Environment

The Outlook mail client must be fully operational (i.e. able to send and receive email successfully), and also configured:

as the default mail application. (From the Start Menu, select Settings>Control Panel>Internet Options> Programs tab. From the Email pull-down menu, select Outlook.)
for Corporate or Workgroup rather than Internet email use. (From Outlook, select Tools>Options>Mail Services tab, then click the Reconfigure Mail Support button and follow the prompts.)

For more information, see Configuring the Mail Client in a Non-Exchange Environment.

Native Attachment Applications

Outlook Direct converts your clients’ fax-addressed email attachments to faxable format, then passes them to the (Undefined variable: FPGatewaysSMTPW.Product name) server for processing. Outlook Direct opens the file in its native application, then converts the file to a format the (Undefined variable: FPGatewaysSMTPW.Product name) can process and fax.

For Outlook Direct to provide native attachment support, the client workstation must have:

the FaxPress client installed.
the attachment files’ native applications installed. (e.g., MS Office, Lotus Smart Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.) To prevent failed file attachments, make sure software application versions are consistent across the network.

Output files from applications that support the Shell execute method may also be successfully attached. To determine which native attachments will be supported by FaxPress:

1. Select the file in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click to display a context menu.
3. Select the Print option. (If no Print option is present, FaxPress will not support the attachment.)

If the associated application is launched and the file prints, then it is likely to be supported as a FaxPress native attachment.

 

FaxPress Premier WebHelp
Last Updated: 11/1/2007
 

E-mail this page

Castelle

855 Jarvis Drive, Suite 100

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Toll-free 800.289.7555

Tel 408.852.8000

Fax 408.852.8100

www.castelle.com