There are many advantages: it saves on network bandwidth, reduces LAN and WAN loadings, it reduces storage requirements, it improves user productivity and perception, it reduces costs and transmission time for remote users. See paper "Value of MaX Compression", which gives more details on the benefits.

Q – Do my users know their files are being compressed

No, to a user it is mostly invisible. A user rarely needs to be aware that a file is being sent or received in compressed form. They may need to make a decision as to whether it is sent as a .ZIP or .EXE depending on whether the recipient has automatic de-compression available. But even this decision can be removed from them by use of Smart Mode.

Q – What mail clients can send a compressed file?

Outlook (32bit), Exchange (32bit), Windows Messaging or Microsoft Mail (16bit or 32bit). MaX Compression can work with Exchange Server, Microsoft Mail for PC Networks or a POP3 server, using either the Outlook or Exchange Clients.

Q – What mail clients can receive compressed files?

Essentially all Intel (and compatible) based Microsoft Windows and DOS clients. Only on those with the MaX Compression software installed will the files be automatically decompressed. Otherwise the file will have to be double-clicked - if it was compressed to an EXE, it will be expanded back to its original form, whereas if ZIP was used, the installed decompression software (if any) such as WinZIP will be started to perform the decompression.

Q – What sort of compression ratios can I expect with MaX Compression?

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. It usually depends on criteria such as the amount of graphics in the document. For example a 1MB Word document can compress to around 100KB, an 800KB Excel spreadsheet to around 300KB.

Q – Are the ZIP files produced by MaX Compression compatible with other ZIP programs?

Yes, we use standard ZIP algorithms.

Q – When does decompression take place?

Depending on the setting of the "Automatically decompress incoming mail" option, it takes place either when the message is received or when the attachment is double-clicked.

Q - How do I know that a file is compressed?

If you look at the mail item in your Inbox or in Sent Items you will see the attachment name, and if it is compressed it will say so next to the file name.

Q - I've sent a mail to myself including a compressed attachment, but when I receive it, the file appears to be uncompressed, with the same filename, without (Compressed) on the end - why isn't it being compressed?

This is most likely to be because you have the decompress on delivery option turned on, which has then decompressed the attachment before you see it.

Smart Mode means allowing the administrator to configure rules to determine which compression mode to use, which means you no longer need to select the compression mode on the Insert File dialog.

Q – I’ve heard I can use MaX Compression with Outlook and a POP3 Server, is this correct?

Yes. MaX Compression can be configured to work with Outlook clients working with POP3 servers.

Q – Why are there so many administrator options with MaX Compression?

Well there are 15 (at Release 4.0). That’s because almost every company operates in a different way, and our customers have asked for the ability to set these options, such as Banned Extensions (for compression), Maximum size of compressed and uncompressed files, etc.

Q – From my workstation I connect to different Exchange Servers and POP3 Servers. Is this a problem?

No, it is quite common. MaX Compression can handle this, though you will need a license key for each server.

Q - If I modify an attachment does the file get saved compressed or decompressed?

If attachments in received mail are modified, they will be recompressed if they were originally compressed.

Q – How can I evaluate MaX Compression.

Simple, download an evaluation copy from our web-site. This is a full product and will work for 30 days. At the end of 30-days it will simply stop working. There is an uninstall program to remove the files. If you like it, then all you need is a license string to change it from evaluation to permanent copy.

Q - Is there are server component?

No, all processing is done at the client, which keeps the attachments compressed for as long as possible.

Q - Can I use MaX Compression on my PC at home which dials into the server?

Yes - if the server in the office is licensed, you need to generate a version of the license which you can install on your home PC. You can then compress attachments while you're not dialed into the server.

Q - Can I make a configuration change, such as the Smart mode rules, for all users?

Yes. As long as they are all connected to the Exchange server over a LAN, you need only change one configuration file to affect all users.

Q - Can I make a configuration change for dial-up users?

Yes, you can generate a version of the configuration which can be mailed to users at home - they double-click on a file to reconfigure their PCs.

Q - Can I prevent e-mails to my FAX service being compressed?

Yes, just use Smart Mode.

Q - Can I send compressed mail to users who don't have MaX Compression?

You can if you specify when inserting the attachment that it should be compressed as an EXE program - that can then be run by any Intel-compatible-based Windows installation to extract the original file.

Q - Will my server-based virus scanner be able to scan compressed file attachments?

It will, only if the scanner supports scanning into standard ZIP-format files. If files are compressed to an EXE, then the scanner must support scanning into self-extracting EXE files.

Q - Can I include the MaX Compression client with the automated install system I use?

Yes if you use ODK. If you use some other method contact C2C for advice.

Q - I already tried out MaX Compression 3, so what's new in 4?

Smart Mode (compressing based on rules), configuration of dial-up users, can install as part of the ODK, supports POP3 servers, and many other features - see the documentation for more information.

Q - If I upgrade to version 4, will this stop all my version 3 installations working?

No, they should inter-work okay. As long as you are using a version 4 licence key, version 3 will keep working and just ignore the extra configuration information which version 4 uses. The exception to this is if Smart Mode is configured - see the documentation for more information.

Q - Is it Year 2000 compliant?

Yes.

Q - If I purchase a full license, will that entitle me to download future upgrades free?

No, you will have to purchase a support contract in order to download future versions, but you will get 90 days free support even if you don't purchase a support contract, and so will be entitled to download any new version which comes out within that time.

Copyright C2C Ltd. 1999.