Should I move to internet fax or stay with my fax machine?
Our trusty old office fax machine broke and I’m debating whether to replace it or have my team take the leap and convert to internet-based faxing. What are the pros and cons of using a fax machine?
It’s true that fax machines require a phone line and periodic maintenance, which is why internet faxing has become a more attractive option over the years. Honestly, you’ve probably used internet faxing at least once, since it’s a cheap and easy alternative. Internet faxing just requires an email address, an internet connection, and a digital file (or a scanner to create one).
While I would recommend using internet fax, you should weigh the costs and benefits yourself.
Fax Machine Pros:
– Ease of Use: Once you have a fax machine, it makes faxing quick and simple. You don’t have to scan and save documents–just sign and send them.
– Installation: Setting up a fax machine often just means plugging it into a phone line, which is fairly straightforward.
– Always Ready: If your fax machine is on, you’ll receive a fax without a problem, no matter the time of day.
Fax Machine Cons:
– Analog vs. Digital: Fax machines send information along an analog transmission, meaning you’re not getting the highest quality image. You can end up with smudged, blurry, or obscured information that way.
– Busy Signals: If your line is in use, you might not receive a fax being sent to you.
– Maintenance: Fax machines are machines, and machines break.
– Cost: You can get dinged with long distance charges that build up on your calling plan without your realizing it.
Internet faxing services are nice because you have a lot of options. You can choose from pay-as-you-go services or monthly subscriptions. If you’re a small business that only does faxing irregularly, you can actually send up to three free faxes per day with FaxZero.com. If you’re a bigger operation that needs multiple lines, accounts, and bulk faxing, you can find a lot of good options with the FaxPrices.com fax guide.
Do you have a question about faxing? Send me your fax question.Do you have a question about faxing? Send me your fax question.