AmVia, Minolco implement innovative RightFAX solution for DebTech

AmVia business partner Minolco has integrated RightFAX with an Oc'e multi-functional print solution, enabling DebTech to print, scan, copy and electronically fax from the desktop using a centralised system.

Minolco is the distributor of Minolta and Oc'e office automation products in SA. It has a long-standing relationship with the De Beers Group, says Kobie du Plessis, business development manager: Oc'e South Africa.

"In addition, Minolco had a significant advantage of being able to provide leading-edge technology and the expertise to implement a complete, streamlined print and fax solution for De Beers` research and development arm, DebTech."

Du Plessis says DebTech wanted to replace its numerous standalone and desktop printers, fax machines and scanners with a single system containing all this functionality. It also wanted the ability to send and receive faxes automatically from the desktop PC.

"Being able to receive incoming faxes via e-mail without user intervention would streamline DebTech`s business processes considerably." For example, an administrator would no longer have to distribute numerous paper-based faxes to recipients.

Du Plessis says Minolco integrated RightFAX with a black and white four-in-one Oc'e solution, allowing printed documents to be faxed automatically.

"Also, with the Minolco-developed Scanworks programme, DebTech users can scan any hardcopy document with Oc'e and have it electronically delivered to any destination via RightFAX."

The Scanworks application interprets information received from the Oc'e printing system, completes the RightFAX template and forwards the document to RightFAX for automatic electronic distribution, Du Plessis explains.

Wayne Human, Information Manager: DebTech, says doing away with its paper-based fax machines has introduced significant cost and time savings. It has also enhanced productivity through electronic information distribution.

"In the past, the volumes of hard copy faxes DebTech sent to its suppliers and clients - up to 60 per day - entailed extensive management and administrative activities.

"With the centralised RightFAX and Oc'e solution, documents can be printed or scanned and electronically delivered via fax without any manual intervention."

Human says as a research and development organisation DebTech also distributes many computer-assisted design (CAD) drawings. These can now be effortlessly faxed from the desktop PC via RightFAX.

The RightFAX solution has also greatly enhanced the traceability of faxes, he adds.

"The user is alerted to the delivery status of every single fax, while the administrator can determine exactly who sent what via fax."

Human says DebTech will use this extensive history to make its cost allocations to specific departments more efficient.

Ivan Schepers, convergence practitioner at AmVia, says with the RightFAX/Oc'e solution, Minolco provided DebTech with superior quality in all aspects of printing scanning, copying and electronic fax distribution.

"RightFAX and Oc'e allow true flexibility and control of communications between DebTech and its suppliers and clients. This has increased not only operational efficiency but also user satisfaction substantially," he concludes.