Internet Fax Services

While the office fax machine had a good run, many businesses and individuals have decided not to replace their ailing fax machines. Instead, they are adopting the prevailing trend by doing away with their local IT and communications solutions and jumping into the cloud.

Online fax services are not new. Many of these services were established several years ago, having been used by companies in an attempt to create a paperless office environment. However, in the past few years, cloud-based faxing has become more powerful and easier to use. Many of the internet fax services are now marketing to individuals rather than businesses, highlighting such benefits as no upfront equipment costs, affordable subscription rates and zero space requirements.

In recent years, the number of internet fax services has grown tremendously. It can be difficult to pick out which one offers the easiest, most reliable and most affordable service. To help you find the service best suited for you or your business, we have put together reviews of four of the major online fax services: RingCentral, RapidFAX, eFax and MyFax.

The Benefits of Using Online Fax Services

• Save Money. You don't need to make an investment in fax machines that may quickly become outdated. Because internet fax services are totally electronic you can print only what you need which will save on expensive paper and ink.
• Save Time. No messing with fax equipment, receive electronic files and take immediate action.
• Portability. Mobile employees cannot transport around a fax machine everywhere they go. Internet fax services are accessible from any location that has a computer and Internet connection.
• Security. Online fax services are typically encrypted to protect sensitive data that is transmitted electronically. This method is more secure than someone accidentally picking up a fax in an office. Sensitive documents, sitting on a fax machine for long periods of time, create the opportunity for espionage or misplaced documents.
• Environmentally Friendly. Electronic faxing allows customers to save money on paper and save the environment. Many companies recognize the need to save the environment by reducing paper production and use.
• Fax Storage. Online fax storage can help companies manage faxes and retrieve them in the future if necessary.
• No Contract Required. Most companies do not require a contract to sign up for web based fax services. Customers may cancel at any time without any penalty. This allows companies to use the service as needed.

Who Uses Online Faxing?

While online fax services were traditionally targeted at small business, they truly are suitable for anyone from individuals right through to larger corporations.

How Does Online Faxing Work?

Generally online faxes are sent via email. You attach your document to an email and send it to TheFaxNumber@yourFaxProvider.com, the fax provider converts your email into a fax and sends it on to the intended recipient the same as if you had sent it from a traditional fax machine.

When receiving a fax, your online fax provider will intercept the fax, convert it to a PDF document and send it to you via email. You are then free to print it out if needed.

Conclusion

If you are in business, you should consider online fax services as a way to keep down operating costs and to keep mobile employees connected to both the office and their clients. This solution is convenient and provides employees easy access to documents required to perform their jobs effectively. Internet fax services are growing in popularity for businesses of all types and sizes.