Concord Web Services

The Concord Web Services API enables developers to build powerful fax capabilities into production applications, creating a versatile interface to corporate databases, document management systems, ERP functionality, CRM functionality, and a host of others. User productivity is enhanced with the use of web services since users simply see new functions within an application and a user interface that they already know. The implementation cycle is abbreviated because there is no software to install, configure, or troubleshoot. Ongoing maintenance and support of web services is provided by Concord.

All web services are implemented using Microsoft .NET methodologies. The Fax Web Services are categorized as follows.

Outbound Fax Web Services

Concord-hosted methods and procedures that enable an application to send faxes to any destination worldwide.

Inbound Fax API

Methods and procedures that enable delivery of faxes to registered users via a customer-hosted fax services client application. Concord hosts the inbound “server” portion of the relationship, since the inbound faxes arrive via the global Concord IP network. Inbound faxes are asynchronously delivered to a customer-hosted “client” application that is developed using the inbound web services provided by Concord. The ultimate disposition of inbound faxes is a matter of the client design. Options include printing to hardcopy, delivery to mass storage, or integration with other production systems.

Inbound fax documents are accompanied by an XML metadata file that describes relevant operational characteristics of the fax document.

Account Administration Web Services

These are methods and procedures that enable user setup, user profile configuration, and a range of reports based on fax activity across all users of within the account. Account Administration web services also provide detailed transactional information in the form of CSV-formatted call detail records that may be used in any billing software.

Benefits

• Enables customer-provided production applications to send, receive, and manage faxes on behalf of the users of the application
• Enables the design of fax management application functions specifically tailored to the management processes of the customer
• Supports customized branding, enabling custom-developed applications to display and promote the identity of the business customer
• No software to install, configure, or maintain
• Minimal learning curve for users of existing applications