SpectraFAX

SpectraFAX Corporation

Formerly	LaserFAX, Inc.
Company type	Private
Founded	June 1984 (1984-06) in Naples, Florida, United States
Founder	Robert Lee
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Acquired by DFI Communications
Successor	Streem Communications
Number of employees	16 (1985)
Website	spectrafax.com (archived)

SpectraFAX Corporation, initially known as LaserFAX, Inc., was a US-based computer hardware firm located in Naples, Florida from 1984 until 2002. Renowned as an innovator in image scanning technology, it introduced the first flatbed scanner with color scanning capabilities. Although its scanner products saw limited commercial success, the company shifted its focus in the late 1980s to fax-to-PC hardware, gaining stronger market acceptance and maintaining operations into the early 21st century.

History

Established under the name LaserFAX Inc. in June 1984 by Robert Lee, the enterprise aimed at the nascent personal computing sector with compact flatbed image scanners. At that period, flatbed scanners were typically bulky and costly, mainly used in commercial printing environments. While competitors such as Datacopy produced monochrome scanners compatible with IBM PCs, LaserFAX introduced a pioneering color-capable alternative.

In March 1985 at COMDEX/Winter '85, LaserFAX presented the SpectraSCAN, recognized as the first CCD-based flatbed scanner capable of capturing color images. The device measured approximately 10 by 25 by 15 centimeters and contained six circuit boards internally. It scanned letter-sized documents at 200 dpi resolution within two to three minutes by employing color filters and multiple scanning passes. The SpectraSCAN generated images with 4-bit color depth (16 colors), utilizing dithering techniques to minimize banding effects. A quicker grayscale variant, the DS-200, completed scans in about 30 seconds at the same resolution. Both models were designed to be compatible with IBM PC systems.

These scanners incorporated internal expansion slots to enhance functionality. In early 1985, LaserFAX introduced TEXreader, an OCR expansion card that allowed extraction of text from scanned images to optimize storage efficiency. By July 1985, the LaserFAXimile expansion card was released, adding fax transmission features to the scanner lineup. By 1986, support extended to Apple's Macintosh computers.

By late 1985, LaserFAX employed sixteen staff members and operated a manufacturing plant in Orlando, Florida. The company rebranded as SpectraFAX Corporation and renamed its SpectraSCAN model to SpectraFAX 200. Despite offering a relatively affordable color scanning solution by 1987, sales remained underwhelming—approximately 200 units had been sold by October that year. Founder Robert Lee left the company and was replaced by CEO Thomas J. Conwell, who redirected efforts from scanner manufacturing toward fax-to-PC hardware after noting strong demand during COMDEX/Fall '86.

Due to limited marketing resources for its own fax boards, SpectraFAX collaborated with Panasonic to develop a fax board marketed under Panasonic’s brand in exchange for royalties. The Panasonic Fax Partner achieved commercial success and motivated SpectraFAX to develop its own fax products. By 1989, SpectraFAX was selling dedicated fax hardware under its own brand while continuing scanner production. Revenues exceeded $5 million by 1992, supported by licensing agreements with Intel and ROLM.

In 1995, SpectraFAX ventured into Internet fax services by providing fax broadcast and fax-on-demand offerings tailored for both businesses and individuals via toll-free numbers featuring voice menus for document access. By December 1996, its Fax Liaison software supported Windows NT network environments.

In April 2002, DFI Communications acquired SpectraFAX; DFI was also the proprietor of Cleo Communications software. Following the acquisition, the division was renamed Streem Communications.