NCJ Number
85975
Date Published
1974
Length
30 pages
Annotation
The study goal is to identify digital facsimile hardware for use on the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NALECOM) message switching network, providing cost, performance, and integration details.
Abstract
Digital facsimile hardware suitable for usage in the NALECOM message switching network includes the Off-line Digital, On-line Digital, Independent Regional Overlay-Digital, DDD Network, WATS Switching Center, Digital FAX Equipment, and Analog Fax Equipment. At the present time there are only a few digital manufacturers whose equipment appears to meet NALECOM's vague requirements. NALECOM requirements need expansion to allow a proper selection of FAX equipment. Further study of FAX requirements is needed to define which terminals want FAX, what type of documents are transmitted, what degree of copy quality is required, and what degree of operator assistance is tolerable. Other alternative networks for facsimile transmission were compared with FAX via NALECOM's network for cost and performance. These comparisons indicated that implementation of a facsimile network to accommodate 1983 traffic projections and requirements will cost between 1.5 and 6 million dollars. Adding facsimile capability to NALECOM's system would not be cost effective. For one to three copies per terminal per day, FAX over dial-up features appear best. The convenience and cost of obtaining copies via facsimile should be compared with the low cost but longer delivery time of the mail system. Five figures, four tables, and a list of referenced organizations are provided.