Today BSQUARE Corporation (Nasdaq:BSQR) released a significant upgrade of its award-winning software, BSQUARE(R) bFax(R) Pro.
The new bFax Pro 5.0 contains several new enhanced features, including Internet faxing, inking and annotation support, and more for users of Windows CE-based Handheld PCs, Handheld PC Pros, and Palm-size PCs. The new software is currently available from the BSQUARE Online Store at www.bsquare.com and BSQUARE's authorized online distributors.
"The Internet is becoming the communications protocol of choice when sending a fax," explained Denise Slocombe, Business Unit Director for BSQUARE's Mobile and Wireless Group. "Through strategic alliances with industry leading Internet fax providers, JFAX.COM and NetMoves, we've incorporated Internet faxing into the new version of bFax Pro. By faxing over the Internet, the software user saves money and can even receive faxes when their handheld computer is disconnected from the Internet. Also, by connecting the device to a wireless modem card or a cellular phone, the user can send and receive faxes wirelessly. For handheld computer and other intelligent computing device users, bFax Pro 5.0 represents a significant step forward in mobile faxing."
bFax Pro already is enhancing the productivity of mobile workers. John Medeiros, an information systems technician for Rental Service Corporation, reports, "The sales representatives say that bFax Pro makes their lives easier. Now they can fax Word and Excel documents to the corporate office and receive faxes from their home offices. They don't need to drive to the regional offices as much. We're pleased --the goal was to keep the sales force in the field as much as possible. The overall solution has been very successful, and the money spent on BSQUARE's software was money well spent."
According to IDC, in 2003, Windows CE will have a 40% share of the total worldwide handheld companion market in 2003. Pocket PC will have 40% of the US personal companion market and Handheld PC and Handheld PC Pro will represent 84.6% of the US PC companion market in 2003. IDC defines Pocket PC as a member of the "personal companion" category whereas Handheld PC and Handheld PC Pro fall into the category IDC terms "PC companions." Both categories together make up the "handheld companion" market.
New features in bFax Pro enhance use, save time and cost
bFax Pro 5.0 enables users to send and receive faxes from a Handheld or Palm-size PC anywhere, at any time. The new version makes it easier than ever to send or receive a fax while mobile through the incorporation of new Internet faxing features. Through Internet faxing, telephone connection costs are reduced, document delivery is confirmable, and the need to have the PC Companion turned on to receive a fax is eliminated.
The new Internet faxing capabilities in bFax Pro 5.0 are made possible through new alliances with JFAX.com and Mail.com (formerly NetMoves), two companies providing Internet faxing services. By dialing into a local phone number provided by JFAX.com or Mail.com, instead of the direct fax number, users can potentially reduce long distance telephone charges. Additionally, users can receive faxes on a special phone number assigned by Mail.com or JFAX.com. Once a fax is received, it is accessible to the bFax Pro user via e-mail. bFax Pro's tie-in with Mail.com and JFAX.com ensures that PC Companion device users can now access received faxes from their e-mail whenever they connect.
"BSQUARE is bringing all of the advantages of Internet faxing to the handheld device market," said Tim Johnson, vice president of marketing at JFAX.com. "Through our partnership with BSQUARE, for the first time end users will be able to realize the cost savings and dependable, flexible delivery features inherent to Internet faxing. We are proud to provide this capability through the new bFax 5.0 to Windows CE-based PC Companion users."
"As a leading provider of corporate fax solutions, we've seen increasing requirements access to our services from highly mobile workforces" stated Bill Fallon, Vice President of Marketing at Mail.com Business Messaging Services. "bFax Pro 5.0 coupled with Mail.com's email-based fax services provides a world-class solution for business users adopting Palm-size and Handheld PCs based on Windows CE to perform mission critical applications anytime, anywhere."
The new bFax Pro 5.0 also includes another key feature: support for inking. Using a stylus, users can simply open the document to be faxed and by writing on the touchscreen or touchpad, add "handwritten" notes on a document. The recipient of the fax can view the notes exactly as written on the document. Real estate agents, service personnel, and other mobile professionals can fax signed documents immediately from a handheld PC Companion.
bFax Pro 5.0 also features a new user interface and set up wizards for easier operation, high-resolution options for clearer outputs, offline rendering of the fax image to reduce telephone transmission time and cost, and several default cover pages to choose from. As in previous versions, bFax Pro 5.0 includes the ability to fax multiple documents to multiple recipients, includes support for multiple document and image file formats, and can be configured for batch faxing in a single, money-saving connection.
bFax Pro is also available to PC Companion Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for inclusion on additional types of intelligent computing devices based on Windows CE, including set-top boxes, screen phones, data collection devices and more.
BSQUARE recently formed the Mobile and Wireless Business Unit to address the information and communication needs of the mobile device developer and user. BSQUARE's engineering technologies include instant messaging, remote update of data and applications, data synchronization, and XML-based transaction processing over wireless LAN and WAN networks.
SRP for bFax Pro is $49.95. However, until May 1, bFax Pro 5.0 will be available at an introductory price of $29.95 through the BSQUARE online store at www.BSQUARE.com and from BSQUARE's online distributors. Customers who wish to take advantage of the Internet faxing option provided by bFax 5.0 can sign up for the service separately with JFAX.com and Mail.com at special negotiated rates.
Owners of bFax 4.0 who purchased the product within the last 60 days are eligible for a free upgrade. For upgrade details, interested customers can contact sales@bsquare.com.
Customers who purchase bFax 5.0 for Palm-size PCs today will receive a free upgrade to a version of bFax Pro compatible with Microsoft's new Pocket PC platform, expected to be available during the second quarter.
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