Cheap, small and multifunctional
Xerox Canada recently introduced what it calls its most affordable black-and-white multifunction printer (prices start at $479) specifically for small businesses. The Xerox Phaser 3200MFP offers print, copy, fax and colour-scanning features with high image quality, speed and scanning versatility. It has true 1200 dpi resolution, 64MB of memory, a 300MHz processor and boasts print and copy speeds up to 24 pages per minute. Equipped with Xerox’s Scan to PC Desktop software, the Phaser 3200MFP scans colour documents at up to 4800 dpi. Scans can be made in black and white or colour and in a variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word and Excel documents, PDF, JPEG and TIFF files.
Suite e-mail
A new suite of value-added e-mail services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are available from Hostopia.com Inc. They are intended to be profit generators for service providers since they meet the growing demands of SMBs for email functionality, including collaboration and data synchronization. The service provides large e-mail file storage limits of 3GB or greater, collaboration features such as shared calendars, contacts, tasks and notes, and the ability for users to synchronize email-related data between their desktop, Web-based email applications and a range of wireless mobility devices. Hostopia’s managed e-mail services are available to service providers such as telcos, ISPs and broadband providers on a private-labeled, wholesale basis, and service providers can offer them under their own brand with a customized look and feel.
Three bits for the SMB
BitDefender, a provider of antivirus software and data security solutions, has unveiled three security solutions for SMBs: BitDefender Security for Mail Servers (Windows and UNIX platforms), BitDefender Security for Exchange and BitDefender Security for Samba. BitDefender Security for Mail Servers and BitDefender Security for Exchange bring together antivirus, antispyware, antispam, antiphishing, and content and attachment filtering engines to secure the mail traffic of both businesses and service providers. Compatible with the majority of existing e-mail platforms, the products offer businesses protection against the most sophisticated threats from emerging malware and attempts to steal confidential and valuable data. BitDefender Security for Samba provides antivirus and antispyware protection for Samba network shares. By scanning all accessed files for known and unknown malware, it keeps network users safe and helps businesses comply with data protection regulations.
Converged communications
Avaya Quick Edition is a converged communication system that helps small businesses and branch offices convey a professional image, improve customer service and drive down costs, according to Avaya. A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based peer-to-peer telephony solution, the system is easy to set up and use, with all the software contained in the phone and no need for a communications server or advanced installation skills. When the Quick Edition IP phones are plugged into the local area network, they automatically “discover” each other. In a relatively short time users have access to commonly used telephony applications, including voice mail, conferencing and auto attendant.
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