RAMP - news today could be good follow through to IIJI.
This is a little longer term play, must be willing to find an entry and hold. Needs some time to mature, but good value at this price.
Monday November 29, 8:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Ramp Networks, Inc.
Ramp Networks Announces New Low-Cost IP Faxing Solution and Immediate Distribution in Japan Through Macnica Corporation
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Ramp Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAMP - news), a leading provider of easy-to-use, shared Internet access devices, today announced the WebRamp 200Fx, an innovative and cost-effective IP faxing solution for the small office and branch office market. Ramp also announced that it has expanded its relationship with Macnica Corporation, one of Japan's leading distributors of networking and semiconductor products. Macnica will immediately begin marketing and distributing the WebRamp 200Fx to major electronics, computer and office equipment manufacturers in Japan.
The WebRamp 200Fx is designed to complement existing fax machines and significantly reduce telecommunications costs by leveraging the power of the Internet. When connected to a standard fax machine, the WebRamp 200Fx converts paper faxes into electronic documents that can be transmitted through the Internet to a PC as an e-mail message, or to standard fax machine connected to another WebRamp 200Fx. The solution effectively allows customers to fax documents anywhere in the world for the cost of a local call.
Macnica is widely regarded as a reliable source for electronic products in Japan. Ramp entered an exclusive agreement with Macnica in June that allows them to resell the WebRampFx products to their regional distributors, corporate customers and OEM partners. Ramp worked very closely with Macnica's engineering group to develop the WebRamp 200Fx product specifications for the Japanese market.
``Worldwide demand for IP faxing solutions has grown dramatically with the explosion of the Internet, especially in countries with high telecommunications costs like Japan,' said John Humphreys, vice president of Ramp's Access Product Unit. ``The WebRamp 200Fx is an intelligently-engineered solution that fills a fundamental business need-low cost faxing. With its technical expertise, marketing experience and established distribution channels, Macnica is the ideal Japanese partner to bring the 200Fx to some of the world's most demanding fax customers.'
``The response to the WebRamp 200Fx has been overwhelming,' said Tomoyuki Yoshii, product manager at Macnica. ``Our electronics, computer and equipment manufacturing customers clearly recognize the potential telecommunications cost savings for a single small office, and for geographically-dispersed national and multinational organizations. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Ramp to develop more innovative IP fax solutions for customers throughout Japan and Asia.'
Send Faxes Three Ways
The versatile WebRamp 200Fx lets customers decide how they want their faxes sent over the Internet. Whichever way they choose, they incur no service fees over and above the cost of an Internet connection.
-- Send faxes from any standard fax machine to another fax machine
connected to a WebRamp 200Fx.
-- Send faxes from any standard fax machine as e-mail messages to any
Internet fax machine or PC user with an e-mail account.
-- Easily broadcast faxes to multiple recipients' e-mail address.
Ease of Use-Browser-based Management
The WebRamp 200Fx has many features that simplify set-up and use so customers do not need to change their regular faxing behavior. Browser-based software wizards guide customers through the installation process. A list of up to 1,000 addresses can be stored and managed using browser-based software and later recalled to send faxes. Names and phone numbers can be individually entered or imported from a contact list.
Additional Features
The WebRamp 200Fx also includes these features:
-- 10Base-T Ethernet port and one serial port for an external analog or
ISDN modem
-- Fax activity log and transaction report for easy management
-- Compatible with Group 3 faxes with standard or fine resolution
-- Works with any T.37 compatible faxes
-- Fax delivery confirmation for Ifx and Efx modes
Availability
The WebRamp 200Fx is currently shipping in Japan through Macnica Corporation. The product will be available in the United States in Q1, 2000.
About Ramp Networks
Ramp Networks designs, manufactures and supports Internet access products for the small office and branch office market. The company provides a fully scalable platform for software and services that enables small businesses to leverage high-bandwidth Internet-based communications and applications.
The award-winning WebRamp product family delivers high performance, secure, corporate-class functionality designed for the more than 75 million small offices worldwide. Ramp distributes its products through a network of 7,000 Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that sell and support its products for small businesses, local branches and affiliates of large corporations. The WebRamp product line supports dial-up and broadband access methods, including analog, cable, ISDN, G.lite, ADSL, and SDSL. For its DSL product line, Ramp has established relationships with leading CLECs including Rhythms NetConnections and its products are interoperable with communications equipment vendors including Copper Mountain Networks and Alcatel. Major customers using Ramp products include General Motors, PIP Printing, York International, Mercury Insurance, Easter Seal Society, and The American Heart Association.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Ramp's stock is traded on the Nasdaq exchange under the symbol ``RAMP.' Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling 888-726-7638; by fax at 408-988-6363; via e-mail at info@rampnet.com; or by visiting our Web site at www.rampnet.com. |
