
Connecting Fax Devices
This topic explains how to set up and use a fax device connected to a Windows or Windows NT PC.
Fax Software Compatibility
Currently, Delrina WinFax PRO versions 3.0, 4.0, and 7.0 are known to be compatible with SAPlpd. WinFax PRO supports automatic transfer of the destination phone number. That is, a destination fax number entered in the SAP System is automatically passed to the WinFax PRO software.
All other fax software packages that run as drivers under Windows should be able to send faxes from the SAP System. WinFax is the only product that currently supports automatic transfer of the destination fax number. If you use another fax software package, test the fax software to be sure that it prompts for a fax number at the Windows PC when an R/3 fax is sent. You must also establish a procedure for entering the required fax number at the Windows PC.
If you want to enter the fax number manually at the PC, add the following to the SAPlpd section of the win.ini file on the Windows PC:
AbortOnManualDial=0
This parameter is set to 1 by default. This setting causes any fax request to be canceled if the destination fax number cannot be transmitted automatically to the fax software by way of SAPFAX.DLL.

SAP Note 44062 provides information about how to use Windows fax packages other than WinFax PRO.
Procedure
To set up a fax device, do the following:
For more information about this step, see
In addition to the SAPlpd executable you also need the SAPFAX.DLL that creates the interface between the SAPlpd transfer program and the Windows fax software. SAPFAX is installed with your SAP GUI frontend software, just as SAPlpd is. SAPFAX.DLL should be in the same directory as SAPlpd.EXE and must remain there.
Call the Spool Administration transaction (SPAD) and then choose Output devices on the Devices / servers tab page. Then choose Create to create a new device definition.
|
Field |
What to enter | |
DeviceAttributes tab page |
Output device |
Enter a name for the fax device. R/3 users use this name to access the device. The name can have up to 30 characters and is case-sensitive. |
|
Device type |
Choose SWIN. SWIN is required for fax devices connected to Windows PCs. | |
|
Spool server |
Enter the name of the spool server. This is the spool server that formats the output for the device. | |
|
Authorization group |
If you want to assign the fax device to an authorization group, enter the name of the group here. For more information see Authorization Groups for Output Devices | |
HostSpoolAccMethod tab page |
Host spool access method |
Enter S (for SWIN). The SWIN protocol is required to send data to Windows fax devices. |
|
Host printer |
Enter the name of the fax device in the Windows system. Example: If the name is \\pn122\fax1, enter fax1 in the R/3 Output device definition. | |
|
Destination host |
Enter the network name of the Windows PC. This is the PC where the SAPlpd transfer program is started from. The name of the PC is displayed in the SAPlpd window under Server name. |
Be sure to start the fax software before starting SAPlpd or the SAP GUI frontend software. In some cases, the fax software may not respond correctly if SAPlpd or SAP GUI are started first.

You can only send faxes under Windows. Faxes that are received at your Windows PC are not automatically transmitted to the SAP System. Instead, you must manually transfer these faxes from your Windows PC.
Sending Faxes: Entering the Destination Fax Number
Users can fax any type of R/3 text. A user can enter the destination fax number either:
The user will need to leave the Print immediately option blank when printing the fax, so that the spool request is held in the spool system. When printing from the output controller, users can then enter the destination fax number.
If no fax number is supplied with a fax output request, WinFax PRO displays a dialog box at the Windows PC requesting the number.