Entering content frameProcedure documentation Connecting Fax Devices Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

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.

Note

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:

  1. Can you already fax from your Windows PC? If not, then you must first install the fax device and fax software on the Windows, Windows for Workgroups, or Windows NT PC. You must be able to fax successfully from Windows before you can send faxes from the SAP System.
  2. Set up SAPlpd on the Windows PC where the fax device is attached.
  3. For more information about this step, see Setting Up the SAPlpd Transfer Program for Printers and Fax Devices.

    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.

  4. Define the fax device in the SAP spool system. Defining the fax in the SAP spool system makes it available for faxing from within the SAP System.

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.

  1. Specify the following in the Output device definition:
  2.  

    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.

     

  3. Start the fax software and SAPlpd on the Windows PC. You should now be able to send faxes from the SAP System using the fax device.

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.

Note

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.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text  First Page of SAP Printing Guide

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