AMOS Mail

Administrator Guide
Getting Help

Stratos/Xantic operates a full support service should you require assistance. Responses
may be immediate for simple questions – more detailed support responses may take
longer. The Customer Care team is on hand to assist in resolving installation and
configuration problems or questions

All requests for service visits to your vessel should be made either to the support team or
via your company administrator.

Customer Care contact details:

Toll Free (International): + 800-1313-1313

Toll free (North America): + 1 800 563 2255

Worldwide: + 1 709 748 4226

Fax: + 1 709 748 4320

Inmarsat: 31 #

Iridium: 6868

MarineSat/LandSat: 611

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.stratosglobal.com

AmosConnect Administrator Guide, Version 7.4

Copyright 2006 Xantic/Stratos

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission
from Xantic or Stratos

The information furnished herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, neither Stratos nor Xantic assumes any
responsibility for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from its use.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

November 2006
Contents
1 Welcome to AMOS Mail 6

Contents
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................6
1.2 Terms and Concepts You Need To Know ........................................................6
1.3 Getting on-line Help .............................................................................................7

2 Connecting to Post Offices 8

2.1 Connecting to Post Offices ..................................................................................8
2.2 Advanced Connection Settings............................................................................8

3 Mailbox Management 12
3.1 Mailbox management ..........................................................................................12
3.2 General Settings ...................................................................................................13
3.3 Capabilities............................................................................................................14
3.4 List Membership ..................................................................................................15
3.5 Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................16
3.6 Print .................................................................................................................16
3.7 Forward .................................................................................................................17
3.8 Signature................................................................................................................17
3.9 Autoreply ..............................................................................................................18
3.10 Toolbar .................................................................................................................18
3.11 Notification...........................................................................................................19

4 Workgroup Management 20
4.1 Workgroup Management....................................................................................20
4.2 Workgroup Properties.........................................................................................20

5 Configuring the Hub Connection 25

5.1 Remote Post Offices ...........................................................................................25
5.2 Gateway on this Post office ...............................................................................28
5.3 Host connected via Modem ...............................................................................28
5.3.1 Dial................................................................................................................................. 28
5.3.2 Scheduling..................................................................................................................... 29
5.3.3 Alerts.............................................................................................................................. 31
5.3.4 Ageing............................................................................................................................ 31
5.3.5 Directory ....................................................................................................................... 32
5.3.6 Negative Notifications ................................................................................................ 34
5.3.7 Positive Notifications.................................................................................................. 35
5.4 Host connected via TCP/IP ..............................................................................36
5.5 Rerouted Host or Gateway.................................................................................37
5.6 Host connected via Internet Tunneling............................................................38
5.7 Host connected via file exchange (AMF) .........................................................39
5.7.1 In the Office................................................................................................................. 39

3 – Contents
 5.7.2 Onboard the ship......................................................................................................... 40
5.8 The connection log..............................................................................................42
5.8.1 View connect log ......................................................................................................... 42
5.8.2 Export Connection log to file.................................................................................... 43
5.8.3 Export Connection log to MS Excel........................................................................ 43
5.9 Schedule Maintenance.........................................................................................44

6 Distribution Rules 45
6.1 Distribution Rules................................................................................................45

7 Distribution and Printing of Messages 47

7.1 Message Distribution...........................................................................................47
7.2 Distribution elements..........................................................................................47
7.3 Distribute Outgoing Mail ...................................................................................47
7.4 Distribute Incoming Mail ...................................................................................47
7.5 Printing of messages............................................................................................48
7.6 Printer Options: ...................................................................................................48
7.7 Examples of Distribution ...................................................................................48

8 Least Cost Routing 54

8.1 Least Cost Routing ..............................................................................................54

9 Fax Headers 56
9.1 Fax Headers..........................................................................................................56

10 Aliases 57
10.1 Aliases .................................................................................................................57
10.2 Internet Aliases.....................................................................................................57

11 Address Book Management 58

11.1 Directory Management .......................................................................................58
11.2 Directory Templates............................................................................................58
11.2.1 Template Details.......................................................................................................... 58
11.3 Directory Export and Import ............................................................................59
11.3.1 Pointed Brackets .......................................................................................................... 60
11.4 Automatic Directory Synchronization ..............................................................61

12 Application Interface 63
12.1 Application Interface...........................................................................................63
12.2 Starting the API Server .......................................................................................63
12.3 Addressing Applications .....................................................................................63
12.4 Defining Applications .........................................................................................64
12.5 Specifying API Options ......................................................................................65

4 – Contents
13 Mailing from Applications 66
13.1 Using Mail from Applications............................................................................66
13.2 MAPI Interface ....................................................................................................66
13.2.1 Sending E-Mail with the MAPISendMail function ................................................ 66
13.2.2 Enabling AMOS Mail Simple MAPI........................................................................ 66
13.3 Using 3rd party E-Mail clients ...........................................................................67
13.3.1 Configure and start the SMTP and POP3 servers on the AMOS Mail server .. 67
13.3.2 Example: Install and Configure Internet Mail ........................................................ 68
13.4 Using the AMOS Mail Fax Printer....................................................................69

14 Remote Post Office Configuration 70

14.1 Remote Configuration.........................................................................................70
14.2 Configuration of Remote Connection in the shore-side Office....................70
14.3 Configuration of Remote Connection on the Remote/Ship site..................71
14.4 Other Functionality .............................................................................................71
14.5 Upgrade from previous versions of AMOS Mail ............................................71

15 AMOS Mail Utilities 73

15.1 AMOS Mail Utilities ............................................................................................73
15.2 Create a new Post office database .....................................................................73
15.3 Upgrade an existing Post office database .........................................................74
15.4 Repair a Post office database .............................................................................74
15.5 Table Tools...........................................................................................................76
15.6 Recover a Password.............................................................................................76
15.7 Manage the AMOS Mail computer service ......................................................77
15.8 Export a Message.................................................................................................77

5 – Contents
 1 Welcome to AMOS Mail

1.1 Introduction

Welcome
AMOS Mail is a powerful and flexible electronic mail software package for the Microsoft Windows family
of 32-bit operating systems. The package supports both local (in-house mail) and external mail through
gateways or direct links to external PTT carriers such as fax, telex and Internet mail.

Exchange of local mail is based on a common database (Post Office) shared among a number of Mailboxes.
The package will run on any networking environment that supports shared files. The software may be run in
a client-server configuration in Microsoft NT/2000/2003 Server environments.

AMOS Mail can also be installed on a standalone PC acting as a single Mailbox remote Post Office. Post
offices may be interconnected using either dial up lines, X.25 lines, ISDN lines or local-area networks. Mail
can also be exchanged with a wide range third party mail packages through gateways.

This guide has been written for advanced users, as well as consultants and other professionals who are
configuring and administrating the AMOS program. The objective of this guide is to provide the technical
information needed to perform these tasks.

Since many of the configuration features described in this guide affect the way a system function or module
operates, it assumed that the reader is familiar with the AMOS Mail program. A working knowledge of
automatic data processing and general familiarity with the Windows® operating environment are also
assumed.

The aim of this manual is to cover all relevant technical issues of the program. However, it does not include
topic oriented user instructions, which is to be found in the User Guide. The remaining documentation for
AMOS Mail can be found in the following manuals:

AMOS Mail Installation Guide

AMOS Mail User Guide

This document refers to the functions of AMOS Mail and AMOS Connect.
The only difference between these two options is that AMOS Connect is the publicly managed system
operated by Xantic, and AMOS Mail is the privately managed system operated generally by your ship
managers or owners, and located in the company office. However, the software and functions available are
identical, and it is just the actual location that differs.

Generally, this guide will include advanced administrative tasks required for daily operation on both a ship
installation and also in an office environment. A separate section is included to assist the office based
administrator in the tasks required in a non-marine environment.

1.2 Terms and Concepts You Need To Know

Before using the system, you may want to become familiar with the basic AMOS Mail ideas, the terms and
concepts used, and the various operations you can perform. This section will provide you with that
Welcome

information.

The structure, concepts and terms of AMOS Mail are founded on a very simple metaphor – the letter. To use
the program, all you have to do is apply your understanding of the letters and packages you receive and send
daily to the electronic messages delivered through AMOS Mail.

6 – Welcome to AMOS Mail

AMOS Mail Messages
The basic unit of exchange in the AMOS Mail system is the message. A message is like a mail envelope that
can contain a number of different items – a letter, a form, a picture, and so on. In AMOS Mail, individual
content of a message may be referred to as message items or attachments, and they can include an unlimited
number of elements such as text, and graphics or even sound and video.

The Inbox
Just as with letters, you receive messages in an Inbox. In AMOS Mail you are also informed if the message is
unread or not. This is done by showing you the front-page of a closed envelope for new mail, or the back of
an opened envelope for mail that you have already opened.

The SentBox
All messages in AMOS Mail are handled like registered mail. This means that you will keep a copy of the
outgoing mail in your SentBox, and that you will get a receipt when your message is received and opened by
the recipient.

The Post Office

Traditional mail goes in and out of post offices before being distributed to recipients. Similarly, you can
connect to an AMOS Mail post office for delivery of messages to other users.
In AMOS Mail, the Post Office Administrator performs the postmaster functions by managing the AMOS
Mail post office operations.

The Directory and Mailing Lists

When sending traditional mail, we typically maintain lists of people and businesses with their addresses. In
AMOS Mail, this concept is embodied in the Directory, which lists all the people and businesses you
exchange mail with.
Just as you can have special distribution lists for particular purposes, AMOS Mail has distribution lists
(group addresses), which you can use when sending messages to groups of people or businesses.

Folders and Archives

You probably file away much of the paper mail you receive as well as copies of the mail you send. AMOS
Mail has archives and folders for storing messages electronically.

1.3 Getting on-line Help

In AMOS Mail you can get on-line help by using the F1 key or by selecting Help Contents on the menu. The
Help Contents page will then be displayed and you can select the topics you want to get further assistance.

7 – Welcome to AMOS Mail

2 Connecting to Post Offices

2.1 Connecting to Post Offices

Connecting to post offices

Even though you will usually only connect to the one Post office, you do have the option to connect to
other Post offices within AMOS Mail. From the Sign in window in AMOS Mail you can select
different Post offices from the drop down box.

2.2 Advanced Connection Settings

If the other post office databases have not been created then it is from this menu that you can create
them. The new post office database may be created either on the local computer if it is on a standalone
system, or else you may point the program to a new database that is created on a server if in a
networked environment.

If the post office you want to connect to is not in the list, then select “New Database Connection”
from the list and click the OK button.

8 – Connecting to Post Offices

The following prompt allows you to manually connect to an existing post office or else create a new
one.

If you click on Create then you will start the New Database wizard:

The purpose of this wizard is self-explanatory, but you should be in possession of the license details
for any new post office you want to create.

9 – Connecting to Post Offices

If the new post office database is to be created on If the new post office database is to be created on
the local computer in a standalone non-network a server computer in a networked environment,
system, then you should select the first option then you should select the second option.

You should enter the location of the folder you You may browse to the server location or else
wish to create the database in. It is recommended enter the location to place the database in the
that the folder is manually created first format :\\<servername>\<sharedfolder>
(e.g. \\TRADER\DATA$\AMPO)

You may click on the Advanced button to select the protocol to be used to connect to the new or
existing post office database.

Connection-oriented TCP/IP is recommended if you are connecting over the network,

Local Procedure Call is the recommended protocol when the database is on the local computer

10 – Connecting to Post Offices

Note:

You can manually create shortcuts to the different Post Offices by adding the Post Office ID to the
command line: Winmss32 –p Postoffice (where Winmss32 is the main executable file of the
program)

11 – Connecting to Post Offices

3 Mailbox Management

3.1 Mailbox management

Mailbox Management
Every user requiring access to the AMOS Mail system can have a personal mailbox. However, if the
user is using the Basic version of AMOS Mail, then he will only be able to use one mailbox. If more
than one mailbox is required then you will need to upgrade to the Full version of AMOS Mail

The Mailbox defines the user’s local access capabilities and preferences.

Mailboxes are created through menu item Setup > Mailbox Management

Note: If the user is using the Basic version, then this menu option will not be available

Some mailbox settings can only be altered by an administrator.

These settings are described in the following sections.
Other settings can be altered both by both the administrator and the user, through menu item Setup >
User Preferences.
(Refer to the AMOS Mail User guide for a description on these options)

To create a new mailbox click on Add

The next box will allow you to enter the required details for each mailbox, and the information
explained below refers to each tabbed option.

12 – Mailbox Management
3.2 General Settings

General tab

The “General”, “Capabilities” and “List Membership” tabs are only available to the Post office
Manager and should be filled in for each new user added. The other tabs are accessible to the
respective user from the menu item Setup > User Preferences.
Mailbox ID The Mailbox identification used when signing on to
AMOS Mail. The Mailbox ID must be unique within a
Post office.
Mailbox Password The password used to gain access to the Mailbox. This
password can be changed using the Change Password
command on the AMOS Mail Setup menu. If the selected
password is the same as the Mailbox ID, then you will not
be prompted for a password.
Mailbox Name Full name of the Mailbox. This will be used by AMOS
Mail when creating the “From” line for outgoing mail.
The from line is created using the Post office name
followed by a dash followed by this entry.
From Line AMOS Mail will assemble the “From” line for outgoing
mail using the Post office name followed by the Mailbox
name if this entry is left blank. If this is inadequate any
text written here will override the default from line.
Workgroup The selected Workgroup will by default be associated
with new messages and used for accounting and access
control purposes. This selection can be changed when
creating a new message.
Internet Address This address will be set as your preferred reply address
when sending messages to the Internet. If the entry is
empty, a default reply address will be assigned by the
Internet gateway.
Default aging after Specify the maximum number of days a user can keep
messages in his folders. Messages older than indicated by
this entry will be deleted by the automatic aging utility.
This setting applies to folders that do not have an entry
for aging. If left empty, the system default will apply.
Max message size Maximum size of messages this mailbox is allowed to
send over gateways where per user size limits are
enforced. See also “Connecting to Remote Post Offices”.

13 – Mailbox Management
3.3 Capabilities

Capabilities tab

You must ensure you tick adequate options to authorize access to selected features of the AMOS Mail
system. At all times you must ensure that a minimum of one Mailbox has full access rights to all
features. These options are not available in the AMOS Mail Basic version.

Post office Management The Post office Manager can define new Mailboxes
and modify the Local Post office variables.
Workgroup Management The Workgroup Manager can define and manage
Workgroups.
Rule Management Use this option to grant selective access to menu
item “Distribution Rules”.
Gateway Management The Gateway Manager can define and configure the
external gateways and servers available in the
system.
Gateway Operations With this capability a user can initiate remote
connections such as dialing a remote post office.
Message Management When disabled there is no access to any messages.
The disabled setting can be combined with
Gateway Operations to create a profile suitable for
a server user.
Forward Management This option controls whether a user is allowed
access to the automatic copy and forward utilities
through menu item “User Preferences”.
Mail Distribution Mail Distribution is used to tell the system that a
user has the function of distributing mail. When this
user forwards messages to other users, the From
address will not be changed.
Empty Waste Basket Check this option if the user’s WasteBasket may be
emptied during automatic aging of old messages.
Hide from directory lists Use these options to selectively suppress some
users from all or specifically the Global directory
list. If you don't want this mailbox to appear in a
directory list (take it away from the address list),

14 – Mailbox Management
 check one of these options. It is particularly useful
when working with automatic directory replication.

Note:
At least one of mailbox must have Post office Manager capabilities. Otherwise it is
not possible to maintain the Post office.
For this reason, a Post Office manager is not able to remove this capability from
his/her own mailbox.

3.4 List Membership

List Memberships tab

This tab shows the distribution lists that the mailbox is member of.

Pressing the Modify button allows you to update, add or remove the mailbox from a distribution list.

15 – Mailbox Management
3.5 Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous tab

The Miscellaneous tab allows the user to modify a number of options relating to the way mail is
handled on arrival

3.6 Print

Print tab

The Print tab allows you to configure the printing options for mail on arrival

16 – Mailbox Management
3.7 Forward

Forward tab

The Forward tab allows the user to automatically forward or copy messages to other email addresses –
either located onboard or to external mail.
The option also allows you to specify if this automatic forwarding or copying applies to only local
mail onboard or to all received mail regardless of origin

3.8 Signature

Signature tab

17 – Mailbox Management
This Signature tab allows you to automatically include a footer to email you create. Normally this will
consist of your contact details onboard, but can be used for any variety of information you want to
include on a regular basis without having to manually type it in for each message.

3.9 Autoreply

Autoreply tab

The Autoreply tab allows you to automatically send a reply to the originator of a message you have
received, if you are not monitoring your mailbox. This option is designed for normal use when the
user is not onboard and lets the originator know that a response may not be received.

3.10 Toolbar

Toolbar tab

18 – Mailbox Management
The Toolbar tab allows the user configure the toolbar, but is not normally changed following
installation

3.11 Notification

Notification tab

The notification tab allows the user to specify how they are notified of receiving new mail.

19 – Mailbox Management
4 Workgroup Management

4.1 Workgroup Management

Workgroup Management
The concept of Workgroups may be used to create collections of folders and directory entries.

Members of a Workgroup have common access to these folders and directory entries. Workgroup
members can thus share message archives. Workgroups may also be created to represent collections
of Mailboxes (e.g. a business department).

All Mailboxes are by default member of Everyone workgroup.

There is no limit to the number of Workgroups that can be created or the number of members
(Mailboxes, folders and directory entries) they may contain. A single Mailbox client may be a
member of any number of Workgroups. Workgroups are particularly useful in a configuration where a
Post office has a large number of folders, directory entries or Mailboxes.

When using AMOS Mail Full version, the following screen is used for Workgroup Management, and
is opened from the Setup > Workgroup Management menu option

The buttons New, Remove and Properties are used to create, remove and update Workgroups
respectively. Members are of each workgroup are managed by using the and buttons.

4.2 Workgroup Properties

The following Member Properties may be associated with each Workgroup member and applies to
the currently displayed group only:

Folder Manager The right to manage (create, update and delete) folders
belonging to the currently selected Workgroup. Other
Workgroup members may still view the contents of and
create messages in folders belonging to this particular
Workgroup. A Folder Manager may in addition to above,
delete or move any message. Other members may only
delete or move messages put there by themselves.

20 – Workgroup Management
Directory Manager The right to manage (create, update and delete) directory
entries belonging to the currently selected Workgroup.
Other Workgroup members may still view and use
directory entries belonging to this particular Workgroup.

Visibility of folders and address directories is controlled through Workgroup membership.

Any Mailbox may read any message within a folder or directory entry belonging to a Workgroup for
which he is a member.
The right to create and delete a folder or directory entry for a particular Workgroup is controlled by
Member Rights.

To amend a Workgroup, click on the Properties button

Name Descriptive name of the Workgroup

Account Account code for this Workgroup. This option is used
by the Accounting Module to split communication cost.
An account code is associated with each message when
it is created.
Views This option can suppress the display of this Workgroup
in the Folder, Directory, Account or Member Lists.
If you want to create a Workgroup but don’t want to
share address lists within this Workgroup, you can just
suppress the listing of this Workgroup in the Directory
List.
Class The Class code (if entered) used by this Workgroup.
This Class code must correspond to the Class code
given to the Fax and Telex gateways. This code may be
used to reserve modem or telex devices to a limited
number of users.
Deny members access Use these options to deny access to selected gateways

21 – Workgroup Management
 for members of a Workgroup.

If you use the AMOS Mail system to send faxes, enter the information related to fax headers, footers
and fax-ID (your fax number) in this Window.

Sender ID The phone number which will be supplied as originator

(reply to number) when sending fax messages. The
telephone number supplied when answering calls is set
when you define the fax gateway.
Header The fax header displayed at the top of the page.
Different headers for the first page and the other pages
are supported.
Footer The fax footer displayed at the bottom of the page.
Different footers for the first page and the other pages
are supported.

22 – Workgroup Management
If you use the GSM text option on your system, enter the sender ID in this Window.

Sender ID The telephone number that will be displayed on the

receivers GSM phone as the senders phone number. This
setting only applies when using the UCP protocol for
sending, and not when sending directly through a GSM
modem attached to Amos Mail.
If you use the Telex option on your system, enter the Telex sender ID in this Window

Sender ID When using this field, the answerback programmed into the
telex device will be suppressed (not used) for outbound
messages and the entered text will be displayed as is on the
first line of outgoing messages.
This may be used if sender wants to specify a different return
address (e.g. a hosted service). For most installations, this
entry is typically left blank.

23 – Workgroup Management
By double clicking on a Mailbox in the Member List or in the Mailbox List you may display a list of
Workgroups for which that particular Mailbox client belongs as follows:

Press Close to return to the Workgroup Management dialog.

24 – Workgroup Management
 5 Configuring the Hub Connection
5.1 Remote Post Offices

Your Post office may be interconnected with remote Post offices using dial-up lines, TCP/IP protocol,
Configuring the hub

via Internet or file interchange. For each external Post office you exchange messages with, directly or
routed via other Post offices, should have a Remote Post office entry. This is accomplished by
selecting the Remote PO Management dialog from the AMOS Mail Setup menu.

The definition of Remote Post offices serves three purposes. First, it is to define how a Post office can
be reached (which gateway shall be used). The second purpose is to define distribution and printing of
messages. Finally, it is to associate a Remote Post office with a workgroup for access control to
selected gateways and use of custom fax headers.

All external Post offices that you communicate with should be defined as a Remote Post
office via the Gateway you are using, or if it is reached via another Post office it should be
defined as a Router. This will allow you to define all directory entries as ID@PO.

If the system will be used to connect to other remote post offices than the Xantic Amos
Connect hub, then the Private Hub license is required. It must be entered into the Local Post
Office Management dialog before the remote post office connection can be made.

The Remote Post Office Management dialog as shown below is used to create entries for local or
remote gateways and remote post offices.

Click on the button to show the configuration settings for the selected remote Post office

25 – Configuring the hub connection

The following items must be filled in:

PO ID An alphanumeric identification code. Use this ID

when addressing the remote Post office or
Gateway with an «@» prefix followed by the ID
(e.g. «AB@AM»).
PO Name A free format descriptive text naming the entry.
Entry Type Defines how the hub is contacted

The Miscellaneous tab is used to enter common information for all entry types.

Association Use the Workgroup selection to associate incoming

messages from the Post office or Gateway defined by
this entry.

26 – Configuring the hub connection

Size restriction The maximum size of a message that will be accepted
by this entry. If messages exceed the indicated max
size, it will be rejected with a notification to the
sender. When set to zero, no restriction applies.
Enforce per user size When this option is checked, only messages smaller
limit than the sender’s mailbox max message size is
accepted for delivery over this gateway.
Allow per user size This setting allows messages larger than the max size
limits higher than above limited by the users mailbox message size
gateway limt limit.
Pileup Warning Level This setting will warn you when the SendQue
messages that are waiting to be transferred exceed the
specified number entered. Enter ‘0’ to disable this
check

When a max messages size is set both on the gateway and the sender’s mailbox, and the “Enforce per
user size limit” option in checked, then the smallest of the two values applies.

The Distribution tab is used to define extra distribution of messages passing through the gateway.

Association Use the Workgroup selection to associate

incoming messages from the Post office or
Gateway defined by this entry.
Send a copy of Specify the address you want outgoing messages
outgoing mail to distributed to. To activate the distribution, check
either of the “Enable for…” options. Local
messages apply to messages sent from the local
Post office. Relayed messages apply to messages
sent from another site (e.g. ship).
Send a copy of Specify the address you want incoming messages
incoming mail to distributed to. To activate the distribution, check
the “Enable for all messages” option.

27 – Configuring the hub connection

In the following chapters, specific details with respect to the various entry types will be explained.

Finally, the Status tab will simply show the status of the last connection to the selected remote Post
office.

5.2 Gateway on this Post office

This entry type refers to a gateway that is directly connected to your local AMOS Mail server. The
main reason for using this entry type is to add the distribution and printing options or override the use
of “Default Routing” as configured under Local PO Management. AMOS Mail will recognize the
following gateways as direct by default:

FAX Gateway to Fax

TLX Gateway to Telex
SMT Gateway to Internet e-mail
TXT Gateway to GSM text messages via an UMS service
MHS Gateway to Novell Message Handling Services (MHS)
CTX Gateway to GN-Comtext
SMS Gateway to GSM text messages via local GSM modem

5.3 Host connected via Modem

All Post offices connected via modems should be defined using this option. This relates to Post offices
that we dial (other branch offices), but also Post offices that only dial us (vessels and laptop PCs).
5.3.1 Dial
The Dial tab is used to configure how the post office connects to the remote post office.
If you are using the AMOS Connect service, the Primary connection will be defaulted to
AmosConnect short access code 65

28 – Configuring the hub connection

Host Password The password supplied to the remote host when making
outgoing connections and the password checked against the
incoming host’s supplied password. This is the common
password agreed upon between the two parties wishing to
exchange mail
Primary Select the default phone number to use for auto-dial
connections. See also chapter on «Remote Services» for
more information on Phone Book Management and
automatic mail delivery.
Alt 1, Alt 2 and Alt 3 These phone numbers will be used as alternatives if
connection fails. These entries may be used in combination
with the next option to keep track of ships switching
satellite as they move between different ocean regions.
Use alternate as If one of the alternative numbers is used for a successful
primary if delivery automatic connection, then this number will be moved to
succeeds the top of the list.
Enable transparent Use this option if the remote host is used as a relay server
Internet relay connected to a third party mail system based on the Internet
SMTP protocol
Locked out When this option is checked, the remote Post Office is not
allowed to dial in. It is still possible to dial out to the
remote PO.
5.3.2 Scheduling
The Scheduling tab is used to control the scheduling of outgoing or polled connections:

29 – Configuring the hub connection

Connect immediately when a Use this option for automatic and immediate
message is queued delivery of outgoing mail.
Connect according to schedule This option may be used as an alternative to
if a message is queued above to have more control of when and how
frequent outgoing connections will be made.
Connect according to schedule This option may be used to instruct the gateway
always to schedule an outgoing connection even if there
are no messages queued for delivery. The
purpose of this would be to poll for messages.
Connect immediately for high This option may be used to in combination with
priority messages scheduled delivery to ensure that high priority
messages are delivered immediately.
Schedule Use this entry to select a schedule to use for
auto dial. More information on this topic can be
found in the chapter “Schedule Maintenance”.
Interval The minimum number of minutes that should
elapse between two sessions of mail exchange.
This entry may be used as an extra precaution to
avoid unnecessary frequent connections when
using immediate delivery.

30 – Configuring the hub connection

5.3.3 Alerts
The Alert tab is used to specify alert messages for different connection events.

Alert when mail can Checking this option causes an alert message to be sent to
not be delivered the System Operator mailbox when an automatic
connection attempt (Dial-up or TCP/IP) fails.
When mail is not Causes a summary email with a list of all queued
collected after xxx messages to be sent once a message has been in queue for
hours more than the specified amount of time.
Value 0 to disables this function.
When mail has been Causes a summary email with a list of all transferred
collected messages to be sent after a connection has been made.
Use the ‘Address’ button to select where the summary
email should be sent.

5.3.4 Ageing
The Ageing tab is used to remove messages from the queue if they have not been collected after a
defined period of time. This can be used to automatically remove messages that will never be
downloaded due to size filter restrictions, etc.

31 – Configuring the hub connection

5.3.5 Directory
The Directory tab is used for synchronization between local host and remote sites. Each site you wish
to send to or receive directory updates from must be configured through this option.

Send Updates on Everyone Any changes to the local Everyone directory will
be sent to the remote host.
Accept inbound updates to Incoming updates to the Everyone directory will
Everyone be accepted from the remote host.
Send updates on Global Any changes to the local Global directory will be
sent to the remote host.
Accept inbound updates to Incoming updates to the Global directory will be

32 – Configuring the hub connection

Global accepted from the remote host.
Include Distribution Lists Check this to send also distribution list members.
Manually Outgoing directory updates will have to scheduled
to this host manually through the “Remote – Send
Directory Subscriptions” menu item.
Automatically Outgoing directory updates will be generated and
scheduled for immediate delivery to this host.

When a subscription for outbound updates is activated the first time, a full copy of the respective
directory will be generated and posted for delivery. Succeeding updates will only include
modifications since the previous posting.
If “Include Distribution Lists” is selected, then replicated distribution lists will behave the same way
as locally created distribution lists. It is possible for users on the other post office to see members in
the distribution list. If this setting is not selected, then the distribution list entry will be visible only as
a regular address book entry, with the distribution list icon. This setting also affects where the
distribution list is expanded, i.e. where the distribution list members are added as ‘bcc’ members to a
message’s recipient list.
If “Include Distribution Lists” is checked, then the distribution list is expanded locally on the
connected post office. Otherwise messages are sent back to your post office, and expanded there.

Tip:
If for some reason the directories are believed to be out of sync, a full update can
be triggered by first disabling outbound subscriptions, and then re-enabling it.

33 – Configuring the hub connection

5.3.6 Negative Notifications

The Negative Notifications tab controls how and if an alert should be sent when a Non Delivery
Notification is queued for delivery to the remote post office.

Address Click this button to select where the notification

should be sent
Only send notification The alert message will be sent only the first time a
once NDN is queued after a connection.
Send notifications via Check this to send short alert messages directly to
Sat-400 an Inmarsat C terminal via Xantic.
This option requires a special account agreement
with Xantic

34 – Configuring the hub connection

5.3.7 Positive Notifications

A positive notification Use this to trigger an alert message when a

is queued for delivery positive delivery report is queued.
A new message is A notification will be sent whenever a new
queued for delivery message is queued for delivery. The message will
include a list of messages with headers and the
total number of new, sent and failed messages in
its subject. The address button is used to select the
address to which the notification shall be sent
(e.g. to GSM Text). A notification will be sent
only if scheduling is set to manual or if there is a
problem with delivering messages automatically.
Only send positive The alert message will be sent only the first time a
notifications once Message or PDN is queued after a connection.
Send in Sat-400 format Check this to send short alert messages directly to
an Inmarsat C terminal via Xantic.
This option requires a special account agreement
with Xantic

35 – Configuring the hub connection

5.4 Host connected via TCP/IP

The following is a definition of a Post office connected via TCP/IP:

Host password The password supplied to the remote host when

making outgoing connections and the password
checked against the incoming host’s supplied
password. This is the common password agreed upon
between the two parties wishing to exchange mail
Host (name or IP Type the symbolic Internet name or IP number (dot
number) notation) of the host you wish to exchange mail with.
For AmosConnect service this will be defaulted to
tcp1.amosconnect.com
Port number This is the TCP/IP port number used when
connecting to the remote host. The selected port must
match the port that the remote host listens on.
Enable transparent Use this option if the remote host is used as a relay
Internet relay server connected to a third party mail system based
on the Internet SMTP protocol
Enable logging Check this option to generate connection log entries
for TCP/IP connections to this PO.

For details on how to configure the Scheduling, Alert, Ageing, Notifications and Directory options
please refer to the section on “Host connected via Modem” above in Sect 5.3

36 – Configuring the hub connection

5.5 Rerouted Host or Gateway

A definition of a Router may be used to simplify addressing and ease the job of moving gateway
services between different computers. If you would like to route all outgoing Fax messages through
another Post office, this may be accomplished as follows:

The following “Route” states that all outgoing messages to “…@FAX” will be rerouted to
“…@FAX@AM”. The AM host may again do additional routing or deliver messages using a local
fax gateway.

It is also valid to specify an empty route. In this case the routed element (PO ID of the routing entry)
will be discarded from the address.

Refer to the section 5.3 on “Host connected via Modem” for information on how to configure the
Directory option.

37 – Configuring the hub connection

5.6 Host connected via Internet Tunneling

For shore users AMOS Mail allows the sending of tunneled mail via the Internet. Outgoing messages
will be compressed and encrypted before being sent via the Internet. On the receiving side, the steps
will be reversed and the messages will be distributed.

To install the tunneled mail option, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. If you don’t have a network connection (leased line or a router) to the Internet, install dial-up
networking on your server.
2. Test your connection to the Internet to verify that it works.
3. Configure AMOS Mail to poll your Internet POP3 account.
4. Change the definition of Remote PO from type “Host connected via Modem” to “Host
connected via Internet Tunneling”.
5. In the "Address" item you must enter the Internet address of the Remote PO.

The following items must be configured:

Address The Internet address of the mailbox where

tunneled e-mail shall be collected.
Use 7-bit AMF format Use this option when sending messages to
Inmarsat Standard-C terminals. This requires that
the ship use AMOS Mail onboard.
Enable transparent Use this option if the remote host is used as a
Internet relay relay server connected to a third party mail
system based on the Internet SMTP protocol

Refer to section 5.3 on “Host connected via Modem” for information on how to configure the
Directory option.

38 – Configuring the hub connection

5.7 Host connected via file exchange (AMF)

If you wish to use the Inmarsat Standard-C gateway in AMOS Mail, then this will be limited to
Inmarsat providers supporting an Internet to SAT-C interface. The advantage of the SAT-C interface
is that you can use the same software onboard all your ships regardless of type of satellite terminal.

Full delivery notification will be supported and all features such as sending messages to the
Application Interface can be used onboard.

5.7.1 In the Office

You must define a Remote Post office for the ship you wish to communicate with. The Post office for
the ship must be defined as gateway type “Host connected via Internet Tunneling”. Additionally, you
must specify that it will use the AMF format option. The messages sent to the SAT-C ship will
automatically be converted to an Internet message with an attachment of type ‘AMF’. The Internet
message will then be sent to the specified address. The Inmarsat provider will forward this message to
the ship where it will be decoded and distributed.

In the same way, messages sent from the ship will be received in the office like messages from any
office using tunneled mail. The message received will include an attachment of type ‘AMF’. This file
will automatically be decoded by AMOS Mail and distributed.

In order to use Internet to Inmarsat-C services, you will need a subscription with a provider.

Refer to Section 5.3 on “Host connected via Modem” for information on how to configure the Ageing
and Directory options.

39 – Configuring the hub connection

5.7.2 Onboard the ship
The messages received onboard can either be imported manually (from disk or from a folder) or
automatically. This will depend on the brand of satellite terminal and the software supplied with it.
For some terminals, the incoming files can be sent to a directory where AMOS Mail can scan for new
messages. All messages will then be imported into AMOS Mail (also regular messages) and the
‘AMF’ files received from the office will be converted to AMOS Mail messages and distributed
accordingly.

The following dialog selected from the Remote – Other Services menu may be used onboard the
ship to configure AMOS Mail to automatically import incoming Inmarsat-C messages:

Directory Scan this directory for messages.

Move to directory Move all files to this directory after they have been
imported to AMOS Mail.
Auto import Check this option if you want AMOS Mail to check the
import directory and import the files automatically.
Delete imported files Check this option if the files in the import directory
shall be deleted after the import in AMOS Mail.
Address The address where you want to send all non-addressed
mail.

Additionally, you must define the office as a Remote Post office onboard. The office must be type
“Host connected via File Exchange (AMF).

40 – Configuring the hub connection

Details for this definition may be specified as follows for an imaginary Internet to SAT-C provider.
Specific details with respect to addressing conventions must be obtained from the service provider.

When you want to export the messages from the ship, this has to be done manually. Select the AMF
Export option on the Remote menu. You will then be prompted for the name of the export file. This
file can be located in the send directory for the SAT-C terminal or on a disk if you have to transfer the
file via disk to the Inmarsat-C terminal.

41 – Configuring the hub connection

5.8 The connection log

There are 3 menu choices for getting the connection log out of the Amos Mail database.
These are located under “Remote - Connect log, and are called “View…”, “Export…” and “View in
MS Excel…”.
5.8.1 View connect log

42 – Configuring the hub connection

The “View connect log…” choice gives you a list where each row contains data for one session. By
double clicking one row a new analogue list comes up where each row contains data for each message
in the selected session. By again double clicking on one of these rows you will get another analogue
list where each row contains data about each address for the selected message.

5.8.2 Export Connection log to file

This dialog gives you the opportunity to export the connection log in a given time interval to a text
file. After selecting the appropriate choices and pushing OK a “Save file as…” dialog will appear.

5.8.3 Export Connection log to MS Excel

This dialog is identical to the one above, except that after pushing OK Amos Mail will start MS Excel
if it exists on the local machine and use the template file “amos log.xlt”, which must exist in the same
folder as the Amos Mail program files, in order to show the log data within MS Excel.

43 – Configuring the hub connection

5.9 Schedule Maintenance

Schedules are used within AMOS Mail by the Internet / POP3 client gateway, by the aging facility
and to schedule connections with remote post offices through the modem gateway.
The following dialog is used to define a schedule. The schedule can be composed of several schedule
lines.

Days Specify the weekdays when the process shall be

activated. Several values can be specified
separated by commas, or an interval by '-'.
Hours Specify the hours when you want the process to
be activated
Minutes Specify the minutes when you want the process to
be activated

The schedule shown above tells us that the process should be activated each half-hour (15 and 45
minutes after each hour) for all the weekdays between 0800 and 1700. In the weekends, the process
will be activated 30 minutes after 0700, 1500 and 1800.

44 – Configuring the hub connection

 6 Distribution Rules

6.1 Distribution Rules

Distribution Rules

Distribution rules can be used to automate the internal distribution and archiving of messages.

Distribution Rules
Messages can be sent to a public rule set as to any other address in AMOS Mail. The Alias assigned to
the Rule set is the address that shall be used.

The main purpose of public rules is to enable the user to search the incoming message for specific text
strings. If a match is found, the message may then be re-routed or copied to a specific address. Public
rules can also be used to control distribution of outgoing messages. One example might be to print
copies of outgoing messages to a specific printer based on who sent the message. An unlimited
number of rules can be created for a single rule set.

The Distribution Rules dialog box is activated by selecting Setup then Distribution Rules from the
main menu

The following is the dialog used to create and manage the individual rules making up the rule set.

Limit match to If you check this option, the search will be limited to
delimited string strings enclosed by delimiters (e.g. blank space or new
line).
If no rules apply If no rules apply, the message will be copied to the

45 – Distribution Rules
(Copy-To) specified address. This address can be any valid AMOS
Mail address (including new Rule sets).
The following is the dialog use to create or change an individual rule.

To The destination address (both name and address part) will

be searched for a matching string.
From The sender’s address (both name and address part) will be
searched for a matching string.
Subject The Subject field will be searched for a matching string.
Text The body part of the messages will be searched for a
matching string.
Workgroup The Workgroup associated with the message will be
compared to this selection.
Less than Only messages with a size less than the specified limit
will result in a match.
Larger than Only messages with a size larger than the specified limit
will result in a match.
Copy-To If the rule applies (a match is found), the message will be
copied to the specified address. This address can be any
valid AMOS Mail address (including new rule sets).
Please note that all criteria entered for a single rule must
match (logical AND). If you want multiple criteria to
work in a logical OR fashion, you must create multiple
rules with a single criteria in each rule.

46 – Distribution Rules
7 Distribution and Printing of Messages

7.1 Message Distribution

Message Distribution
Internal distribution and archiving of messages is a powerful feature of the system. There are several
possible distribution and printing options available. Both outgoing and incoming messages can be
printed and archived automatically.

7.2 Distribution elements

E-Mail address or At the user level, distribution lists can be added

Mailbox for all outgoing messages. This option can be
limited to external mail only and is configured
through menu items “User Preferences” and/or
“Mailbox Management”.
Folder A folder can be assigned an Alias that can be used
as a valid site address. Copies of messages can
then be saved in specified folders.
Distribution Rules A rule set can be assigned an Alias that can be
used as a valid site address. This option can
automate archiving based on keywords,
workgroup, sender or receiver.
Printer A printer can be given an address code and
addressed in the same way as a Mailbox.

7.3 Distribute Outgoing Mail

Automated distribution and filing of outgoing messages can be specified under Remote PO
Management. This can be specified for all the defined Remote PO’s, - dial-up, TCP/IP, direct etc. In
addition to this option it is also possible to add distribution to the user mailbox for outgoing messages.
The user can also add address entries manually for distribution and archiving purposes when sending
a message.

Forward (User At the user level, distribution lists can be added

Preferences) for all outgoing messages. This option can be
limited to external mail only.
Gateway or Server At the Gateway or Server (remote site) level,
distribution of all outgoing messages can be
specified.

7.4 Distribute Incoming Mail

Distribution of incoming messages has to be specified on the Gateway property screen, just like for
the telex and Modem properties. In addition, distribution or copying of messages can be added to the
user mailbox.

Forward (User At the user level, distribution lists can be added for all incoming
Preferences) messages. This option can be limited to external mail only.

47 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

Gateway At the Gateway level (e.g. the Fax gateway) distribution of all incoming
messages can be specified.

7.5 Printing of messages

Both incoming and outgoing messages can automatically be printed. You can decide if the message
shall be printed immediately, or if the message shall be printed when the message is confirmed
delivered at the recipient’s end. Options are available for a single printout for the message, or separate
copies for all recipients.

A printer address is defined as:

Full printer name [/D] [/M]@PRN
E.g. ”HP DeskJet 870C/D@PRN”

7.6 Printer Options:

/D Deferred printing. The message will be printed when all

statuses have changed to ‘confirmed’ for all recipients.

/M This option will print one copy for each recipient as the
status is changed to ‘confirmed’.

When these options are used, the local addresses, printer addresses and Bcc addresses will not be
taken into consideration when printing the ‘Deferred’ print or when making printouts for each address
line.

7.7 Examples of Distribution

The following examples demonstrate how to print and distribute incoming and outgoing faxes. We
will first look at the distribution of incoming faxes;
.
We assume the following rules for the distribution and printing of incoming faxes:
Faxes shall be printed when they arrive
They should be archived in a Folder named Incoming Faxes (which will be split by month)
All incoming faxes shall be copied to the persons Master and Chief Officer and Chief
Engineer

We first create the folder for incoming faxes (Menu item File > Create Folder)

48 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

We give the folder the name ‘Incoming Fax’ and place it in a Workgroup where all the users we want
will have access to it (e.g. Everyone). We have to give the folder an Alias, in this case FAXIF (FAX
Incoming Folder).
The sub mask option is enabled to automate the archiving of faxes by month.
Then the following addresses have to be created:

It can be a good idea to place all addresses used for internal distribution in a separate address list
(Workgroup). So what we have done in this example is to create a Workgroup named ‘Distribution’
where all these addresses are placed.
The Folder address to the folder with the name ‘Incoming Fax’ and the Address ‘FAXIF’ has to be
created.
Then the printer address with the name ‘Printer Incoming’ has to be created (address could possibly
be “HP LaserJet 4L@PRN”).
In addition the addresses to the persons that shall receive a copy of the faxes also have to be created if
not already defined.
Now that all the addresses and the folder have been created, we will next create the distribution list to
be used for distribution of faxes. This group address will be given an alias, and we will send all the
incoming faxes to this group.
This distribution list will include the folder, the printer and the persons. (See “Creating Distribution
Lists” in the AMOS Mail User’s Guide).

49 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

The distribution list is given the alias – FAXIG (FAX Incoming Group).

The last step will be to configure the Fax modem so that all incoming faxes are copied to the group
‘Distribution of Incoming Faxes’. This is done on the Remote menu, where you select the Modem
Properties option. On the Fax tab you can enter the information about where incoming faxes can be
sent.

Use the button on the Fax tab and select the group address ‘Distribution of Incoming
Faxes’ that we defined with the Alias FAXIG.
If you have more than one modem supporting incoming faxes, the same distribution information has
to be given for all modems.
The system is now configured for automated distribution of all the incoming faxes.

50 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

Now we will look at the distribution of outgoing fax, which shall have the same type of automated
distribution.

We assume the following rules for the distribution and printing of outgoing faxes:

Faxes shall be printed when the recipient confirms the arrival.

They should be archived in a Folder named Outgoing Faxes (which will be split by month)
All outgoing faxes shall be copied to the persons Master and Chief Officer

Again as with Incoming Faxes we will first create the folder and call it Outgoing Faxes and will
place it in a Workgroup where all the users we want will have access to it (e.g. Everyone).

We have to give the folder an Alias, in this case FAXOF (FAX Outgoing Folder). The sub mask
option is enabled to automate the archiving of faxes by month The Sent View option shall also be
checked, since this is a folder for outgoing messages.

The next step is then to create the addresses.

51 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

The Folder address to the folder with the name Outgoing Faxes and the Address FAXOF must be
created.
Again we will have to create a printer address for the outgoing printing with the name ‘Printer
Outgoing’ (address could possibly be “HP LaserJet 4L/D@PRN”). The new printer address is created
even though it may refer to the same physical printer as the incoming printer since we add the ‘/D’
(Deferred) option. (Refer to Sect 7.6)
The addresses for Master and Chief Officer are already created in our example.
Now that all the addresses and the folder have been created, we will next create the group address to
be used for distribution of the outgoing faxes. This group address will be given an alias, and we will
send all the incoming faxes to this group.

This group address will include the folder, the printer and the persons. The distribution list is assigned
the alias – FAXOG (FAX Outgoing Group).
The automated distribution of outgoing faxes cannot be specified on the modem as we did with the
incoming faxes. In this case a ‘gateway distribution’ definition has to be used. We will therefore
select the Remote PO Management option from the Setup menu’.

52 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

Define a new Remote Post office with the PO ID FAX and the PO Name Fax Gateway. The Entry
type should be set to Gateway on this Post office

Then click the button for distribution of outgoing messages on the Distribution tab and
select the group address for Distribution of outgoing Faxes.

All faxes sent by local users will now be copied to the address Distribution of Outgoing Faxes.

The option Enable for relayed messages can be used to include messages routed via the local site
from other remote sites like a ship or a laptop.

53 – Distribution and Printing of Messages

 8 Least Cost Routing

8.1 Least Cost Routing

Least Cost Routing

The concept of least cost routing is implemented to reduce your total communication cost. The least-
cost routing feature shows a Fleet user the comparative costs of making each call using either MPDS
or ISDN prior to connecting to the hub.

You must first create a minimum of two ‘routes’ specifying the connection details and rates for each
type – either MPDS or ISDN. This is done from the main Remote menu selecting Modem Services
and Packet Data Services

Inmarsat Fleet has the options for you to initiate a call using either MPDS or ISDN.

Generally, ISDN is used for larger file transfer, whereas the MPDS service is used for general email
where smaller file sizes are concerned. The MPDS service is often referred to as the ‘always on’
option where you are only charged for the amount of data sent or received, and not the time taken to
transfer files. ISDN is used to transmit data at a rate of 64Kb/sec.

You should contact your managers or service provider in order to obtain the required costs to enter in
the Cost tab for each of the above devices.

Once the two routes have been created and you have entered the costs for each, you may continue to
create and queue messages as normal. When you click on Dial to initiate a communications call you
will be presented with the following screen

54 – Least Cost Routing

You should ensure that the last option Initially suggest cheapest alternative is enabled.
The screen will display an estimate of the costs that will be incurred sending the outbound mail via
any of the two options configured, although the cheapest option will be shown first. You may override
this suggested route if required.

Once you are satisfied with the correct choice, you may click on the Connect button to initiate the call
as normal.

55 – Least Cost Routing

 9 Fax Headers

9.1 Fax Headers

Fax Headers

Graphical Fax header and footer files may be used to create an attractive first page for outgoing fax
messages. The header may include your company logo, mail address, phone number etc. as in the
following example:

The “header” in the above example is all the information visible on the screen. The top line, from- and
address-sections however will be supplied by AMOS Mail and included regardless of the presence of
a fax header. To create and use a fax header, you must complete the following steps:

Create your fax header using a Windows application

(e.g. Microsoft Word, AMI-PRO, WordPerfect, Write, Paintbrush etc.).

Print the newly created document using the AMOS Mail Fax Printer driver (remember to start
AMOS Mail prior to selecting Print). The document will then be converted to a Fax image
and transferred to AMOS Mail.

Position your mouse pointer on the topmost left corner of the section of the document you
want to use as fax header. Then press the left mouse-button while moving your mouse, until
the dotted rectangle includes the section you want to use as part of your fax header.

Release your mouse and select the Save Fax Header command from the AMOS Mail Edit
menu.

Type a filename and press the OK button to save the fax header to disk.

Use the Workgroup Maintenance option on the AMOS Mail Setup menu to enter the name
of the newly created fax header. Once the filename has been entered, the fax header will be
included on the first page of all outgoing fax messages for that Workgroup.

56 – Fax Headers
10 Aliases

10.1 Aliases

In AMOS Mail, users can additionally send mail to places other than a mailbox. For example, to

Aliases
folders, printers and addresses. To achieve this, these items have to be given an alias (or a code). This
alias is then used for addressing purposes in the same way as a mailbox ID.

The addresses will then look like: ALIAS@PO

The only way you can forward messages to an address (indirect addressing) is by giving it an alias.
Whenever you select the forward option, you will only see a list of those addresses that have an alias.
Two scenarios where you may benefit from using aliases are as follows:

Hide addressing If an address or its routing is expected to change, you

details from remote may advice remote users to use the alias as opposed to
users specifying the full address otherwise required. This gives
you more control and flexibility with respect to changes.

More effective use If you define an address to have alternates, the

of alternate alternatives will be evaluated at the computer where they
addresses are defined. This is appropriate for an office installation,
but not so for remote users that dial in to use the office
computer’s telex or fax gateway. If the remote users send
their telex or fax to an alias address with alternates
however, they will benefit from the extended retry cycle
that includes the alternative addresses.

Note:
Please note that there is no internal checking or validation of the alias codes
used. This means that you will manually have to control that duplicate codes
are not used.

10.2 Internet Aliases

The aliases used by the Internet mail gateway serves a different purpose. These aliases are used to
map incoming addresses from the Internet to valid AMOS Mail addresses. You will have the option to
associate your AMOS Mail mailbox with a more descriptive mail address for use on the Internet. This
is done through the Internet Mail Server configuration via the Remote menu option.

57 – Aliases
 11 Address Book Management
Address Book Management

11.1 Directory Management

This section describes the available tools to manage the address books, otherwise referred to as the
Directory.

11.2 Directory Templates

All addresses in the AMOS Mail directory are based on a template. These templates determine the
address behaviour in the address book, and also provide the user with a template address text.

The Directory Template List is available from the main Tools menu.

AMOS Mail has a set of built in templates. These can be altered by the AMOS Mail administrator,
but they cannot be removed. The administrator can also create custom address book templates. This
can be convenient if users frequently create similar addresses, e.g. if a user frequently create Internet
addresses to the domain “mydomain.com”- this can be simplified with a template that contains the
address text “@mydomain.com@SMT”.

11.2.1 Template Details

In the template list window, click on the Add or Details button opens the template details window.

58 – Address Book Management

Name Template’s name. This is the name that will be
shown in the “Template” drop-down in the
address book’s address detail dialog.
Template Template address text.
Icon The icon that will be shown next to the addresses
based on this template in the address book.
Hide from all users If this option is checked, the template will be
hidden from the “Template” drop-down in the
address book’s address detail dialog.
Visible to Same as “Hide from all users”, except the
administrators only template will still be available to users with Post
Office Administrator capabilities.
Force uppercase If checked, addresses based on this template will
be forced to use uppercase letters.

Note:
“Hide from all users” should be checked on all templates that are not in use
on the system. That way, it is easier for the user to select correct template.

11.3 Directory Export and Import

Two complementary commands are available in AMOS Mail to support file based directory exchange
between AMOS Mail Post offices. These commands may be used to copy selected addresses to a text
file (Directory Export) and importing addresses from a text file (Directory Import). Both commands
are available from the main Tools menu. The Directory Export command displays the following
dialog:

Directory Choose the directory (Workgroup) you want to

export.

59 – Address Book Management

File The name and location of the file where the
exported directory entries should be placed. The
file will be created if it does not exist. If the file
does exist it will be truncated without warning.

Addresses of type Local Mailbox will be converted to type MSS Person when exported. The local
Post office code will be appended to the address (e.g. MB becomes MB@PO where MB is a local
Mailbox and PO is the Post office). The following dialog is displayed when you choose the Directory
Import command available from the main Tools option menu item:

Directory Choose the directory (Workgroup) where you want to import

the addresses. You will only be allowed to select directories for
which you have Directory Management rights.
File The name and location of the file to read directory entries from.
The file must have been created using the Directory Export
command. This field is only relevant when the import source is
file.
Import from default If MS Outlook is installed, this choice will add all addresses
MS Outlook address found in the default Outlook address book to the selected
book directory if they are not already there. The field “E-mail” from
Outlook will be mapped to the Amos Mail address field.
Import from Windows If MS Outlook Express is installed, this choice will add all
Address Book addresses found in the default Outlook Express address book to
(Outlook Express) the selected directory if they are not already there. The field “E-
mail Address” from Outlook Express will be mapped to the
Amos Mail address field.

If you have previously imported directory entries from the same Post office, only the new directory
entries will be added. Updated entries will replace entries previously added.

11.3.1 Pointed Brackets

The “Pointed Brackets” directory format is suitable during system implementation when it is desirable
to import directory entries from a foreign system. A text file will need to be prepared that meet a set
of criteria as outlined in the following sections:
Each line in the file must have two parts. The first part is the Name and the second part is the
Address. The Name is the full name of the recipient with no syntactical requirements. The Address
part must be enclosed within pointed brackets and comply with the address requirements set by
AMOS Mail. Each line must be terminated by a single LF (line feed) or a pair of CR (carriage return)
and LF. The following is an example import file:
Atlantic Shipping Group <+4420767525553@FAX>
Bill Gates <[email protected]@SMT>
Xantic <+3110111246@TLX>

60 – Address Book Management

Ocean Dream <MASTER@ODREAM>
When entries are imported, they will all be tagged as belonging to a single “import set”. Whenever the
import option is run a second time, the previous import set will be amended to avoid duplicates. If you
need to import from several sources, all files will have to be combined in a single file prior to import.
Lines that do not comply with the format requirements of this specification will be silently ignored.
The effect of importing an empty file will be an empty import set.
AMOS Mail regular addresses are written as MAILBOX_ID@POSTOFFICE_ID (MB@PO for
short). Addresses used for gateways must end with the “@” sign and a reserved suffix. The following
suffixes are currently recognized:

TLX Telex
FAX Fax
SMT Internet e-mail
MHS Novel Message Handling System e-mail
CTX GN-Comtext
QIC GEIS QuikCom
TXT GSM Text
PRN Printer
API Application Interface

The icons associated with the imported directory entries are based on the suffix used. If the suffix is
not recognized, the address will be marked as being of type “Mailbox”.

All AMOS Mail specific addresses must be uppercase. Syntactical requirements for gateway
addresses are determined by the specific gateway. E.g. addresses ending with “@SMT” must follow
the conventions for Internet e-mail addresses.

The Name and Address elements (excluding brackets) are currently limited to 64 characters each. If
either of these parts is longer, they will be truncated to 64 characters.

11.4 Automatic Directory Synchronization

The Global and Everyone directories can be automatically replicated between AMOS Mail sites. That
is to say that any modification of the directory list done in one site will be reflected in the same
directory on all the other participating sites.

Both the Global and Everyone directories will initially include all local users. This means that the
addresses of new users will be distributed and available for participating sites to use shortly after they
are added. Other addresses created directly in the respective lists will be distributed in the same
manner. The actual content and usage of the Global and Everyone directories is left to the Post office
Administrator. One possible configuration is to limit distribution of Everyone to a small number of
sites (e.g. remote users) with close ties; whereas Global could be distributed to all sites in a potentially
large corporate network. Other implementations may choose only to use one of the directories for
automatic replication.

Directory updates received by one site will automatically be reflected to all other participating sites.
This is to avoid the need for one particular site to know about sites other than its immediate neighbors.
It is possible however to create directory subscriptions for sites routed via non-participating hosts (e.g.
public hubs).

Directory replication is designed to work with all site-to-site transports offered by the various AMOS
Mail gateways (e.g. Internet Tunneling, TCP/IP, Modem etc.).

61 – Address Book Management

Subscriptions for particular hosts are managed through menu option Setup – Remote PO
Management which is documented in a separate chapter in this manual.

The directory synchronization agent must be started on each site that will use automatic replication
with the Immediate or Scheduled options. This is done through the main menu item Remote – Other
Services and then the Directory tab. Manually initiated updates may be scheduled through the main
menu option Remote – Send Directory Subscriptions.

62 – Address Book Management

 12 Application Interface

12.1 Application Interface

Application Interface

The Application Interface, provided with the AMOS Mail Server version, allows applications
(programs) to be the destination of mail.

This facility may be used to trigger user-defined events on any local or remote system running AMOS
Mail. Such events may be anything from simple housekeeping, ranging from empty WasteBasket,
delete old mail), etc through to sophisticated distributed systems.

The following sections explain how you can use AMOS Mail to create and configure an interface to
your applications.

12.2 Starting the API Server

The computer(s) selected to process inbound application requests must enable the following option
through the Other Services option from the main menu item Remote option and then the System tab.

12.3 Addressing Applications

Mail to an Application is created and sent in exactly the same way as other mail. The distinction lies
with the address, which by definition must be specified as follows:
xxxx@API@PO
In this example xxxx represents a 1 to 6-character alias associated with the application you want to
execute at the Post office PO. The address should be created and saved in the directory database on
the originating computer. Prior to sending the message, an Application Definition of xxxx must be
created at Post office PO. If @PO is not used, xxxx must be defined at the local computer.

63 – Application Interface
12.4 Defining Applications

At PO, an example application may be defined, using the Application Definition dialog on the
AMOS Mail Setup menu as follows:

Address A 1 to 6-character code used when addressing the

application (e.g. EDIT@API).
Computer The name of the computer where the application will be
executed. Please note that this computer should have the
API interface activated (Other Services on the Remote
menu). The name of the computer you are working on is
displayed after the “-“ in the dialog header.
Name A short description of your application.
Command The command to be executed. This may be a DOS «exe»,
«com» or «bat» file as well as any executable Windows
application. This entry may be left blank, in which case
only file export (see API Options) is considered. If no
path is specified, AMOS Mail will attempt to locate the
application in the current directory, the Windows
directory, the Windows system directory, the AMOS Mail
application directory, directories listed in your PATH
statement or finally mapped network paths.
Argument This entry is used when composing arguments to be
supplied when executing «Command». The following
codes may be used to supply arguments that depend on
the received message:
%s The Subject. You must enclose «%s» in double
quotes if you expect a multiword subject.
%t File name of the message’s note text. This
argument will only be supplied if the «Export Text Note»
option is checked.
%f All filenames of any attach files separated with a
single space. This argument will only be supplied if the
«Export Attachments» option is checked.
%m The originators message reference (message
number).
%a The Address Text of the originator. You must
enclose «%a» in double quotes if this description is

64 – Application Interface
 composed of more than one word.
%p The originators reply address.
Any other text will be included as is in the argument
string supplied to «Command».

Directory Any Text Note or Attach Files exported will be placed in

this directory. This entry may be left unspecified in which
case files will be exported to the directory specified by
the «TEMP» environment variable.
Text Note This will be used as a file name when exporting the Text
Note. This entry may be left unspecified in which case a
name will be assigned by AMOS Mail at the time of
export. If a path is specified, this will be used. Otherwise
the file will be placed in a directory according to the
above description of «Directory».
Printer Select the printer to be used when printing attachment
files. Printing of attachment files may be enabled by the
«Print Attachments» option.

12.5 Specifying API Options

The following options may be used to specify how AMOS Mail will carry out the requests to execute
your applications:

Run Minimized Check this option if you want the application to be

reduced to an icon every time it is executed. Do not use
this for MS-DOS applications unless Background
execution is enabled (see information on PIF settings in
your operating system documentation).
Print Attachments Use this option to copy data in attachment files to the
selected printer’s device. Data may be prepared on the
originating computer by printing to file. No processing,
character conversion or alteration of any kind will be
applied to the files prior to printing. Hence, the data sent
to the printer must be prepared specifically for the device
it is sent to.
Export Text Note Check this option if you want the text note part of the
message to be saved to a file.
Export Attachments Check this option if you want attachments to the message
saved as files.
Delete Exported Files If checked, AMOS Mail will automatically delete all
exported files (including the text note) when processing
has been completed. This has no effect on the copy stored
in the Post office database.

Application Definitions are known and shared by all Mailboxes belonging to the Post office in which
they are defined, but will only be executed on the computer specified in API definition. Any number
of applications may be defined.

65 – Application Interface
13 Mailing from Applications

Mailing from Applications

13.1 Using Mail from Applications

Several features have been added to AMOS Mail such that external programs such as word processors
and spreadsheet applications may easily be integrated within the program. The following sections
describe some approaches as to how you may extend your favorite application with Mail capabilities.

13.2 MAPI Interface

AMOS Mail supports Simple MAPI protocol. This feature allows other applications, such as Microsoft
Office, to send and receive mail messages via AMOS Mail.
13.2.1 Sending E-Mail with the MAPISendMail function
The MAPISendMail function can be used to send a mail message from an application. This function
takes as parameter one MAPI address string for each message recipient. The format of this string
depends on the recipient type.
AMOS Mail mailbox: “X-AM:<Mailbox ID>”, e.g. “X-AM:ADMIN”
Fax: “FAX:<faxnumber>”, e.g. “FAX:123456”.
Telex: “TLX:<Telex number>”, e.g. “TLX:123456”.
Internet: “SMTP:<address>”, e.g. “SMTP:[email protected]”.
Please refer to the MAPI specification and the documentation provided with your programing
environment for further information on how to use this and other MAPI functions.

13.2.2 Enabling AMOS Mail Simple MAPI

Simple MAPI is installed automatically by AMOS Mail setup.
The functionality can also be added or removed from the system at a later stage:
Start MS Internet Explorer (version 4.0 or later).
Select menu Tools, then Internet Options
Select the Programs tab, and then select AMOS Mail as default E-Mail client.

66 – Mailing from Applications

13.3 Using 3rd party E-Mail clients

The AMOS Mail Server can be used with 3rd party E-Mail clients such as Netscape Mail, MS
Outlook/Express and Eudora Mail. The clients must support the “POP3” protocol for connecting to
the server.
These E-mail clients connect to the POP3 / SMTP server within AMOS Mail.

13.3.1 Configure and start the SMTP and POP3 servers on the AMOS Mail server
Both the SMTP server and the POP3 server have to be configured and started on the AMOS Mail
server. This is required since the Internet Mail program will use the POP3 protocol to connect to the
AMOS Mail server.

Please refer to the AMOS Mail Installation Guide for details on how to configure the SMTP and
POP3 servers.

67 – Mailing from Applications

13.3.2 Example: Install and Configure Internet Mail
The following example describes how to install and configure Microsoft Internet Mail Service for MS
Outlook Express

Open Outlook Express, and select Accounts option from the main Tools menu item

The following screen will then be displayed. Select the Internet E-Mail entry and click the Properties
button.

If an Internet E-Mail entry is not present, click the “Add…” button to add one.

Note:
All addresses used from Internet Mail should be defined as type Internet
addresses.

68 – Mailing from Applications

13.4 Using the AMOS Mail Fax Printer

When AMOS Mail was installed on your computer, a printer driver named AMOS Mail Fax was
automatically added to your list of available printers. Any document printed from a Windows
application to this printer will automatically be converted to one or more fax image pages. These
pages are picked up by AMOS Mail and prepared for transmission. AMOS Mail will prompt you for
the address of recipients prior to sending the fax.

For convenience, the necessary steps may be prepared as a macro and even assigned to a menu or
command button for easy access from within your favorite word processor. Please refer to
documentation on your word processing application for information on assigning these macros to
menus or command buttons.

69 – Mailing from Applications

14 Remote Post Office Configuration

14.1 Remote Configuration

The Remote Configuration functionality enables remote configuration of vessel databases managed

Remote Configuration
from the shore side office. A separate configuration database is created in the office for each post
office enabled for remote configuration and configuration data is exchanged every time the remote
post office connects. In the AMOS Mail database directory there is a new directory named “remote”,
which contains one directory per post office participating in remote configuration, which again
contains the database files for that post office. The remote post office must authorize the participation
in remote configuration.

14.2 Configuration of Remote Connection in the shore-side Office

1. Open the Remote Post office list (Setup -Remote PO Management)

2. If the remote post office does not exist in the remote post office list, create it
3. Select the post office and click Details to open the Remote Post Office Management window
4. Select the Remote Config tab
5. Check the Enabled checkbox, when you click OK a separate configuration database is
created for the post office. This database will be a copy of the remote database. The new
database cannot be configured remotely until the remote post office has connected once. The
reason for this is that you need to transfer license information as well as any existing
configuration from the remote post office into the local copy of the database.
6. Close the Remote Post Office Management window by clicking OK.
7. After the vessel has transferred the initial configuration data you will be able to modify the
configuration by clicking the Config button in the Remote PO Management screen. This
will start a new instance of the application, which is connected to the local copy of the remote
post office’s database. The remote database can now be configured just as if you are working
onboard the vessel, only that the data is stored in the local copy of the database.
8. Next time the vessel makes a call to the hub the configuration data is exchanged between
vessel and office

70 – Remote Post Office Configuration

14.3 Configuration of Remote Connection on the Remote/Ship site

1. Open the Local PO Management screen (Setup - Local PO Management)

2. Authorize the participation in Remote Configuration by checking the Enabled box.
3. In this same window you can also select if local or remote updates take precedence in case the
same entry has been changed both on the vessel and in the office.
4. Next time the vessel makes a call to the hub the configuration data is exchanged between
vessel and office.
5. Configuration data on the vessel is modified as normal through regular use of the application.

14.4 Other Functionality

In the Remote Config tab of the Remote Post Office Management window there are two additional
pushbuttons labeled Import and Export. They can be used to Import/Export configuration data
from/to a file.

14.5 Upgrade from previous versions of AMOS Mail

As Version 7.4 of AMOS Mail is the first version with remote configuration functionality, any
software release after this will require that a database upgrade on earlier versions be performed. This
will include a complete scan of the database in order to prepare for transmission of configuration data
to the office on first connection.

Tip:
If the post office database appears not to be fully synchronized, the following
action will restore settings back to normal

Disable remote configuration for the post office in the office

Remove the directory under remote for that post office
Enable post office for remote configuration in the office
Disable remote configuration on the vessel

71 – Remote Post Office Configuration

 Enable remote configuration on the vessel
Vessel connects to office

The entire configuration on the vessel will be rescheduled for transmission back
to the new empty database in the office

72 – Remote Post Office Configuration

15 AMOS Mail Utilities

15.1 AMOS Mail Utilities

In the latest release of AMOS Mail the main utility programs have been amalgamated into one main

Using the Utilities

application that can be started separately from the main E-mail client application. This program is
available from the main AMOS Mail program group in the Start menu.

The user is able to perform the following tasks from this application:

Create a new Post office database

Upgrade an existing Post office database
Repair a Post office database
Table tools
Recover a password
Manage the AMOS Mail computer service
Export a message

15.2 Create a new Post office database

On starting the wizard the user will follow the same procedures as explained earlier in this manual in
Section 2.

73 – AMOS Mail Utilities

15.3 Upgrade an existing Post office database

As part of Xantic/Stratos’ continued program of improving and updating product services there will
be occasions that software upgrades of AMOS Mail will be periodically released. This may
necessitate that the user’s existing Post office database be upgraded.
If you are instructed to upgrade your existing post office, you should first ensure that a full backup
copy is made and stored in a secure location on the computer should you encounter errors and need to
perform a roll-back to the previous version. Once the post office has been upgraded it will not be
compatible with previous software releases and an error message will be given should you attempt to
run the older version.

In order to carry out the upgrade, first ensure that you and all users are logged out of the AMOS Mail
client.

Now click on the Upgrade database tab in the utilities menu.

Specify the location of the post office database and then click on Upgrade for the application to
automatically continue and upgrade the old database.

15.4 Repair a Post office database

Whilst the AMOS Mail program is an extremely robust application there may be instances onboard
where the post office database becomes corrupted in some way. This could be due to server or
network problems, or also due to onboard electrical power problems (e.g. power brownouts, etc).
Whilst a good quality Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) will help to avoid most onboard power
surges, brownouts, you may have need to attempt a repair on an existing database that is causing
problems.

74 – AMOS Mail Utilities

Again it is vital to ensure you have a separate backup copy of the original post office database stored
safely before you attempt a repair.

Also ensure that all users are logged out of AMOS Mail before attempting any repair on the main post
office.

Database directory Insert the location of the post office database that you
wish to carry out the repair on

The Repair utility will attempt to repair any corrupted mailboxes.

Click on the Repair Logical Errors button, and you will now be prompted to select the problem
mailbox.

Clicking on OK will start the repair process. The actions will be listed in the main window and will
indicate the checks made to repair the mailbox.

75 – AMOS Mail Utilities

15.5 Table Tools

Over a continued period of use the main post office database will become very large which can lead to
the possibility of corruption. To avoid this potential problem it makes sense to periodically carry out
routine maintenance on the database itself.

In order to carry out compression and recreate the indexes within the database you should select the
Table Tools option.

After ensuring that all users are logged out of the systems, and you have made a reliable backup copy
of the database you can continue.

Click on the Select All option and then click on Compress and Recreate Index

15.6 Recover a Password

There may be occasions when you are unable to change a user password within the main E-mail
application. If you have the required security permissions you may use the Utilities program to change
user passwords

76 – AMOS Mail Utilities

Select the location of the post office database, and select the user mailbox details as required. You
may than click on the Change button to make the change

15.7 Manage the AMOS Mail computer service

Before carrying certain tasks or maintenance on the post office it may be necessary to stop the AMOS
Mail database service, if the system is employed in a client/server environment.(e.g. networked)
You may stop the service using the standard Microsoft Server options in Windows Control Panel, or
else you can simply stop the service using the Utility program

Select the Services tab, and click on the button (identified with a red square) to stop the service
After completing any maintenance, you may restart the service again.

The database service will automatically start up again following a re-boot of the server computer

15.8 Export a Message

Occasionally you may need to export a message within the post office database to a separate file.

77 – AMOS Mail Utilities

Using the Utilities application, select the Message tab and insert the location of the post office
database. Next, enter the message ID that you wish to export before clicking on the Export Message
to File

78 – AMOS Mail Utilities