Voice & Fax
Ratings and Reviews of Voice and Fax Software |
Voice and Fax Software
Using your
PC to do
your
faxing,
act as a
telephone
with or
without a
voice
answering
machine or
turning it
into a
single
point for
all your
"messaging"
- phone,
fax, email
and more,
can be a
big time
and money
saver for
the
home-based
business
owner.
However,
as PC's
really
were not
originally
designed
to handle
voice and
fax
(traditionally
analog
communications,
not
digital)
there have
been (and
may
continue
to be if
you aren't
careful!)
quality
and
reliability
issues
centered
around
PC-based
phone
services
especially.
Additionally,
the
emergence
of
IP-based
voice
services
using PCs
as the
"telephone"
have saved
big
dollars in
long
distance
charges,
especially
for
international
calls, but
again,
have
experienced
uneven
results in
quality
and
reliability.
Voice and
fax remain
the
primary
methods of
communicating
with
customers
and
business
partners,
so before
you decide
to turn
your PC
into your
complete
voice and
data
communications
center -
make sure
you've
prepared
your
system and
yourself
for the
change.
Some
things to
look out
for.
-
Sound
Card-
if you
don't
have a
good
sound
card,
don't
bother!
Voice
processing
takes
requires
a decent
card
(and
you'll
want to
hear
what
folks
are
saying
anyway!)
but
still
won't
cost you
more
than $45
today.
-
Modem
- if
you're
using
the PC
as a
traditional
telephone
(not IP)
make
sure the
modem
you are
using
with
your
software
is
compatible
with the
software
(most
companies
have a
list
available
on their
web
sites of
compatible
modems).
-
Microphone,
speakers,
headset -
don't
purchase
the
cheapest
microphone
if
you're
using it
to do
business!
This is
an
investment
like
anything
else,
and the
quality
of the
sound
(especially
for your
customers!)
is
important.
Look for
microphones
that
filter
background
noise
(even if
you DO
keep
your
office
quiet).
-
Hard
drive
space
-
finally,
if you
are
going to
use your
PC as an
answering
machine,
make
sure you
have the
hard
drive
space to
store
all your
messages!
-
Faxing
in
General
- if
you
don't
have a
scanner
(so you
can scan
documents
that are
NOT
electronic
before
faxing)
you'll
need to
get one
if your
PC is
going to
be your
"fax
machine".
You'll
be
surprised
how
often
you'll
need to
fax
documents
that are
NOT on
your PC.
You'll
need a
scanner
anyway
so...
-
Fax
Broadcast
- in
your
faxing
software,
the
ability
to do
fax
broadcasts
is a big
plus -
especially
if you
are
going to
do a
fax-based
marketing
campaign.
Look for
software
with
this
capability.
-
General
System
-
faxing
and
voice
processing
can put
a strain
on
systems
without
enough
CPU and
memory -
don't be
stingy
when it
comes to
putting
memory
in your
PC!
Looking
to build
your PC
communications
center -
or just
get rid of
all the
paper
faxes?
Let's see
what's out
there.

Some
vendors
offer more
than one
package in
this
category.
We'll
review
them in
table
format
within
that
vendor's
detailed
review.

Voice and Fax Software Review
Voice and
Fax
Software*
(Rankings
- best, 5
symbols,
worst, 1
symbol)
|
Company |
Best
For* |
Simple Start-Up |
Cost |
Time Savings |
Ease of Use |
Works With |
Support |
Features
|
Overall
Rating |
|
01Communique
|
A,R,P |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2 |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Avanquest
|
A,R,P |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pp |
iiii |
%%%1/2+ |
|
Parliant
|
A,R,P |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pp1/2 |
iii |
%%%+ |
* A =
Amateur,
R =
Rookie,
P =
Pro
01Communique
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
All of the
COMMUNICATE!
and I'm inTouch lines of
software
from
01Communique
are easy
to install
and get
working
with your
PC (as
long as
you have a
compatible
modem -
check
before you
buy!).
Cost
-
$$$$
COMMUNICATE!
Standard is priced at $29.99, COMMUNICATE! Deluxe at $79.99 and I'm InTouch at
$99.95 per year (subscription).
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
COMMUNICATE!
Standard v 10.0 |
$29.99 |
Windows
98,
ME,
2000,
NT
4.0,
XP |
PC
Voice Mail Software |
-
Web access to fax/voice messages (with I'm InTouch product)
-
Send faxes remotely from any browser (with I'm InTouch
product)
-
Contact manager
-
Fax from any Windows application
-
Customize cover page
-
New messages notification
-
Auto-forward fax messages to email
-
Fax broadcast
-
Fax-back and Fax-on-demand
-
Voice mail answer, record send and playback
-
Auto detect voice and fax calls
-
Built-in email client
|
|
|
COMMUNICATE! Deluxe |
$79.99 |
Windows
98,
ME,
2000,
NT
4.0,
XP |
Fax Broadcasting Software |
-
Multi-line support for up to 3 modems
-
Web access to fax/voice messages (with I'm InTouch product)
-
Send faxes remotely from any browser (with I'm InTouch
product)
-
Contact manager
-
Fax from any Windows application
-
Customize cover page
-
New messages notification
-
Auto-forward fax messages to email
-
Fax broadcast
-
Fax-back and Fax-on-demand
-
Voice mail answer, record send and playback
-
Auto detect voice and fax calls
-
Built-in email client
-
Text-to-speech (listen to email by phone)
-
Send email with voice (audio mail)
-
Send email with video (video mail)
-
Video/Internet phone calls (H.323)
-
Video monitoring and motion detection
|
|
|
I'm InTouch |
$99.95 per year |
Any web browser |
Remote Access Service |
- PC access from any browser
- Remote access to the COMMUNICATE! email client,
Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express
- Remote access to voice and fax messages
- Send faxes remotely
- Forward inbox email to any fax machine for printing
- Forward inbox voice message to another phone number
or phone
- Remote access to the files on your PC or
networked drives
- Remote access to your contact list
- Remote access to Outlook calendar
- Remote video monitoring
|
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
A single
source of
all your
messaging
and
customer
contacts - as well as remote access to them when you're on the road.
A real
productivity
gain just
in ease of
use.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
All of the
COMMUNICATE!
products
are very
easy to
use.
The phone
looks like
a phone,
the
contact
manager is
straightforward. The I'm InTouch service is even easier - just use your
web browser on an Internet-enabled wireless phone, PDA or your laptop.

Works With
-
YYY
01Communique
products
are
designed
for the
Windows
environment
only.
Support
-
ppp1/2
The tech support area on the 01Communique web site includes
downloads, a FAQ and tech support message board. If you need more help you
can contact them via
voice and
fax
(no "800"
number).
Support is
available
from 9 AM
to 6 PM
Monday
through
Friday
Eastern
time.
Features
-
iiii
Lots of
capability
in each
package!
Faxing,
phone,
fax-on-demand,
answering
machine,
contact
manager
and more.
A neat
tool if
you have a
reliable
PC. And the remote access service can free you from lugging around your
laptop - just use your PDA or phone to "run" your home PC from a web browser.
Overall
Rating -
%%%%
If you
don't want
to have a
phone, fax
machine,
PC and pay
for extra
local
services
(like
voice
mail),
this is a
wonderful
software
tool.
Just MAKE
SURE your
PC is
reliable.
If it goes
down, or
you have a
power
outage, no
phone
services,
no
messages,
no
customer
contacts!
(Have a
backup old
telephone
around
just in
case!) Additionally, if you're on the road a lot and just don't want to
hassle with 5-10 extra lbs. of laptop, the I'm InTouch remote access service
could be your "back saver".
Avanquest
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
Avanquest's FaxTools and PhoneTools software is straight forward to install and set up for use.
Cost
-
$$$$
Pricing for Avanquest software is detailed in the table below.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
FaxTools eXPert 8 |
$49.95 |
Microsoft
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP |
Fax Software |
-
Fax over the Internet
-
Standard fax using modem - supports more than 900
configurations
-
Fax broadcasting including Microsoft Word mail merge
-
Send faxes from any Microsoft Office application
-
Fax paper documents from scanner
|
Microsoft Office 97, 200, 2002, 2003, XP |
|
FaxTools eXPert Network |
$2,270.00 |
Microsoft
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2003 |
Fax Software |
- Spelling check
- Faxes classification
- Re-expedite module
- Fax security
- Email a fax
- Fax broadcasting from MS Word
- Private and central phonebooks
- Fax forwarding
- Out-of-the-office automatic forwarding
- Customizable cover pages
- Archiving of incoming faxes
- Compatibility with most database
software
- Fax preview
- Up to 8 fax lines on a single server
- Fax scheduling
- Supports multiple attachments - PDF,
HTML, Microsoft Office documents
- Fax annotation
|
Microsoft Word, Outlook Outlook Express
PDF, HTML, Microsoft Office Documents |
|
Classic PhoneTools 9 |
$33.96 |
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista |
Voice and Fax Software |
- Manage all communications from single PC interface
- Replace office machines with PD - fax, telephone
speakerphone
- Contact management
|
|
|
PhoneTools eXPert |
$16.17 |
Window 98, ME, 2000, XP |
Voice and Fax Software |
- Standard Fax - Fax Wizard, Fax from Windows
applications, forward Faxes received during your absence via email, edit
and personalize cover pages, insert handwritten signature, fax paper
documents from scanner, attach any type of Windows document to faxes,
modify any received faxes in your word processing software, fax
broadcasts, fax broadcasts from Microsoft Word with mail merge feature,
save sent faxes, find country code from drop down list, check received
faxes at a glance
- Internet Fax - send faxes over the Internet, send fax
broadcasts, send and receive via email
- Speaker Phone - call contacts from phonebook with 1
click, control volume using mouse, automatically memorizes most recent
numbers called
|
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
FaxTools software can help you fax documents inexpensively (using
IP) and quickly - directly from your Microsoft Office programs or your scanner.
PhoneTools can manage/send faxes as well as turn you PC into a
speakerphone/answering machine as well.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
FaxTools software has a straight forward interface that allows you to customize
your cover pages and configure the software for extended functionality such as
automatic forwarding. PhoneTools includes wizards to make sending faxes
simple and easy.
Works With
-
YYY
FaxTools and PhoneTools are designed
for the
Windows
environment
only.
Support
-
pp
You get
what you
pay for.
Cheap
software -
expensive
technical
support.
In fact,
technical
support,
if you
need to
speak to a
"live"
body, will
cost more
than the
software
itself!
$24.95 for
the first
10 minutes
(and how
many tech
support
calls have
you had
resolve in
10 minutes
or less?)
and $2.95
per minute
after
that.
And by the
way, this
is not an
"800"
number,
you'll be
paying
long
distance
charges as
well
(unless
you have
one of
those new
"bundled"
local and
long
distance
packages
from MCI,
SBC or
Verizon!).
Finally,
tech
support is
only
available
7 AM to 4
PM Pacific
Monday
through
Friday
(with the
exception
of
Wednesday
when they
close at 2
PM!).
Basically,
if you
need help
- throw
out the
software
and kiss
your $49 to $300
good-bye!
Features
-
iiii
FaxTools software gets a plus right off for
supporting IP-faxing. The Network version adds a ton more capability with
automatic forwarding, password protection, fax classification, fax archiving and
scheduling as well. PhoneTools is a nice, inexpensive package to integrate
traditional PSTN-based voice and fax services into your PC.
Overall
Rating -
%%%1/2+
We think the FaxTools eXPert Network edition
is worth the money - especially since if you purchase this software you won't
need a fax machine and you can use your IP connection to send and receive
faxes as well. PhoneTools is a quick way to turn your PC into a "one stop"
phone, answering machine and fax machine.
Parliant
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
Parliant's hardware/software combo solutions are straight forward
to install and set up on your Macintosh.
Cost
-
$$$1/2
Pricing for Parliant product is detailed in the table below.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
PhoneHerald |
Line 1 $499.95,
Lines 2-5 $399.95 for PhoneValet Owners Line 1 $399.96, Lines 2-5 $299.96 |
Macintosh OS X 10.3 or higher |
Telephony Software |
-
Automated dialing system, repeats calls if no answer,
attempts different numbers to reach a person, keeps searchable,
databased records of all activity
-
Scheduled calling of individuals and groups
-
Can be configured to call in a variety of ways
-
Text-to-speech with automatic intonation that reflects the
meaning of the text, with respect to pauses, breath groups, punctuation
and context
-
Interactive choices for callers including transfer to live
operator
-
To-do list based on call results
-
Email alerts
-
Can be configured to deliver individualized messages
-
Imports from comma and tab delimited text files, databases,
spreadsheets and contact managers
|
|
|
PhoneValet Message Center
5 |
$169.95,
additional lines $169.95 each, PhoneValet Anywhere (web access) $59.95 |
Macintosh OS X 10.2 or higher |
Telephony Software |
-
Voice Mail - 11 voice mailboxes accessed with touch tones,
can be individually enabled or disabled, multiple lines supported with
simultaneous answering and recording, main greeting and greetings from
each mailbox, importable from audio files, recordable from system
microphone or generated using Apple speech synthesis, audio playback
controls with call logging feature, recent calls interface, check
messages by calling in, listen to unheard, recent or all messages,
replay, save and erase messages, messages can be emailed using MIME mail
-
Call Recording - records both sides of conversation to
compressed audio file, plays audio notices to parties before recording
begins and after recording ends, audio playback controls with call
logging feature, recording can be paused and resumed, call recordings
possible on more than one line simultaneously
-
Remote Control - call Mac and run AppleScripts by dialing
PIN that you assign to script, scripts can provide sound file or text to
be spoken back to user
-
Call Actions - run AppleScripts for each incoming call with
Caller ID info, run AppleScripts when phones are picked up/hung up, send
email on incoming calls, run AppleScripts after voice mails are left and
calls recorded
-
Talking Caller ID - announces incoming callers on-screen,
customize screen sizes and time-of-day for speech
-
Answer Based on Who is Calling - custom ringtones, answer
voice mail immediately or forward to appropriate mail box, customize
greetings, call blocking
-
Detailed Call Log - stores date/time, number, name and
duration of all calls, logs all calls dialed from any telephone, easy
export to comma or tab-delimited files, make text notes on any call in
the log, call a number back by double-click, searching and sorting of
calls
-
Phonebook - unlimited list of names and numbers, attach
notes to any number, dial a number with double-click, import from
Address Book or files
-
Flexible Dialing - dial by voice using microphone, dial
from any application using Apple Services menu, specify rules for
dialing long distance and calling card calls, dial via AppleScript/Apple
Events, dial from Apple Address Book, dial from pasteboard
-
Fax Support - faxes can be detected and directed to Apple's
built-in fax system or to SmileOnMyMac, if fax machine is used,
PhoneValet will suspend voice mail when fax is incoming and allow
machine to take the call
-
Call trees
-
Call Completion Technology - automated attendant
-
Voice mail overrides
|
Goldmine, ACT! |
|
PhoneValet Home Edition |
$49.95 |
Macintosh OS X 10.2 or higher |
Telephony Software |
-
Single line
-
Announces incoming calls on-screen and using text-to-speech to read the
caller's name
-
Looks calling numbers up in Apple's Address Book
-
Ringtone support for playing custom sound files
-
AppleScripts can be run upon each call when CallerID is received
-
Single box configuration or up to 5 boxes
-
unlimited history in call log and unlimited storage of voice mail.
No limit on mailbox size, up to available disk space
-
personal mailboxes are accessed using a single digit assigned by the user
-
WAV, AAC and 3GP audio formats supported
-
Hear caller out your Mac's speaker live as message is being left
-
Voice mail can be stopped by pressing a digit if you pick up on an
in-progress message
-
Block calls from specific numbers
-
Custom voice mail handling for selected numbers - custom greeting, send to
voice mail right away
-
Make greetings using microphone, sound files or by typing text for the
computer to read using text-to-speech
-
Call in to check messages with secret code, voice messages can be emailed
as sound files, check onscreen using the PhoneValet application
-
Voicemail features automatic gain control
-
History log of inbound calls with time of call, number and Caller ID info
and any voice mail message attached
-
Recent calls and complete call history viewable from one screen
-
Unlimited history in call log and unlimited storage of audio
-
Quick-search of call history
-
Call times and phone numbers searchable with Spotlight
-
auto-dialing of numbers from Mac
-
Dial from Apple's Address Book
-
Dial numbers from the clipboard using men-bar item or any application that
supports the Services menu
-
AppleScript dialing support from FileMaker, Entourage
-
Voice dialing
-
Support for automatic dialing rules
-
Supports automatic 7-, 10-, and 11-digit dialing of numbers
-
PhoneValet can hold a connection open until a shared-line fax machine
answers
-
Shares Apple modem for faxing
-
Anywhere add-on - can access call history and messages/recordings using
web browser
|
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
If your business entails automated dialing of clients,
PhoneHerald will save you tons of time. PhoneValet is a great small office
voicemail/recorder solution for Macintosh owners.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
PhoneHerald and PhoneValet leverage the Macintosh OS X interface
to make their software easily used by the beginner and professional
Works With
-
YYY+
PhoneValet and PhoneHerald are designed for the Macintosh
environment, although PhoneValet Anywhere messages can be sent to PCs as well.
Support
-
ppp
The tech support area of the Parliant web
site includes a FAQ and downloadable manuals. If you need more help, there
is an online support form.
Features
-
iiii
Very slick solutions for Mac owners.
PhoneHerald can do broadcast dialing, with schedules, individual messages, to-do
lists after the calls and interactive responses for those called.
PhoneValet is a great small business/family answering machine call recorder that
can be augmented to do pod casting or offer remote access/alerts with add-on
software.
Overall
Rating -
%%%%
Impressive solutions for the Mac environment.
If you need a broadcast dialer or a small business answering machine solutions -
well worth a look.
|