NEWS RELEASE

V*CHANNEL, INC. Announces Doc-2-Fax Automatic Document Conversion Software

Santa Clara, CA -- V*Channel, Inc introduces the Doc-2-Fax document conversion software. It automatically converts document files to fax formatted image files eliminating the administrative tasks associated with setting up, and updating the fax formatted image files for fax-on-demand systems. Designed to work with V*Channel's FAXLink fax-on-demand system, the Doc-2-Fax processor automatically updates the fax image files so the latest revision of the document is always sent when a fax-on-demand request is processed.

The Doc-2-Fax document processor supports most document source file formats and produces TIF faxable image files. Some of the most common input document source file formats supported are HTML, PDF, Crystal Reports, and MS-Word.

"With the widespread use of the HTML document format as a source document format for the Web sites and the TIF image file requirement for fax-on-demand systems, maintaining a separate document set for each automated information delivery system has been a concern in the marketplace," said Alan S. Yatagai, V*Channel's president. He added, "Our new Doc-2-Fax product answers this need."

The Doc-2-Fax processor features 3 modes of operation: Auto-Update, Always Update, Conditional Update. The Auto-Update method periodically checks each document source file to determine if it was revised since the last time Doc-2-Fax updated the document fax image file. If any source file was revised, Doc-2-Fax automatically converts it to update the fax image file in the library of fax-on-demand documents. In addition, whenever the Doc-2-Fax program detects a revised source document it also updates the catalog document (a list of all the documents and their revision dates).

Unlike the Auto-Update method, the Always Update and Conditional Update methods are triggered by a fax-on-demand request. The Always Update method always generates a faxable image file from the source document for each fax-on-demand request. The Conditional Update method is similar to the Auto-Update method, except it is triggered by a fax-on-demand request and updates the fax image file from the source document only when the source document has been revised since the last time Doc-2-Fax updated the fax image file.

The Doc-2-Fax processor also features merging data from any ODBC compatible database into a document template form to create a document dynamically. This technique employs a static document form with embedded fields that are filled in based on the current data from the database.

In field trials since November of 1996, the Doc-2-Fax processor is immediately available from V*Channel, Inc. Existing users of V*Channel's FAXLink system can add the Doc-2-Fax processor to take care of document administration. It runs on a WindowsNT+ platform and works with V*Channel's FAXLink fax-on-demand system in a local area network environment. The cost of the Doc-2-Fax processor software is $2,850.

V*Channel, Inc. develops, integrates, markets, and supports a broad line of open systems based interactive voice and fax response products. FAXLink is V*Channel's flagship product and is marketed world-wide through direct sales from V*Channel headquarters in Santa Clara, CA . V*Channel maintains a World Wide Web site at www.vchannel.com.

FAXLink, and Doc-2-Fax are trademarks of V*Channel, Inc. Other products mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners.