Saturday, November 29, 2008

An Online Fax Machine

A fax machine in line is offered as a new wave of technology. A fax machine in line enables the company to send faxes without a fax machine or an additional fax line. The company, using a fax machine online, receives a fax number that is connected to your email. Faxes may be sent or received as e-mail attachments. This is a great way for a company to manage its online daily load fax. Everything is done via the Internet and its e-mail provider. Whatever the fax machine that you decide to buy, just know that there's something out there for everyone. There are fax machines built to meet every need of business.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Fax Machine Tips

A fax machine business makes life a little easier. If you decide to purchase a fax machine, make sure you know about this product. The better informed you are, the better decision you going to do. About the size of the paper that most of the times and cope with the additional features that you'd like to have. Many of the features become a luxury, during a hectic workday. Take into consideration the number of faxes you want to send in a day and the speed with which you are sending. This point in the direction of the brand and model that can handle its desired perfectly the needs of business. Fax machine prices can vary anywhere from $ 100.00 to $ 2000.00. The price depends on what type of fax machine that you need to manage their daily load fax. In late largest model is better able to handle stress on the machine when it comes to a large volume of faxes steadily. Take into consideration the amount of memory you want in a fax machine, or if you want to buy additional memory cards. Once all these factors were taken into account, you will know exactly what type of fax machine to buy. This will save time in the long term

Saturday, November 15, 2008

A Fax Machine Pricing Guide

In considering what type of fax machine to the purchase, the buyer must take into account several important details. The growing cost of ink or toner is a critical partner for companies profit. Calculate the cost of printing a fax. If you only send a couple of faxes per day, an inkjet cartridge can produce 400 pages for less than $ 20.00. This is not profitable however, if you print more than a certain number of pages per day. A laser toner cartridge is capable of producing 5000 pages for only $ 150.00. This makes the laser fax machine a better business.

Another factor to consider pricing is the cost of service contracts. While fax machines are exceptionally reliable, if you are buying more machines for a large company, a service contract should be taken into account. A service contract protects the buyer against the cost of spare parts and repairs. A service contract is recommended if the fax of their turnover exceeding fifty pages per day. A contract for the provision of basic services can be purchased anywhere from $ 60.00 to $ 200.00 and renewed each year. A contract for the provision of basic services covers around four service calls per year. Some plans to supply a backup machine in case your machine malfunction or break. With this type of service contract, the company is able to go despite the complications. Virtually all fax machines are relatively low maintenance and maintenance is very easy to handle. This is why many home-based businesses, entrepreneurs and others use them as a key component when conducting daily business.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Paper-Handling Options of a Fax Machine

When purchasing a fax machine, it is necessary to know what size of the pages that most frequently fax. Most fax machines are designed to receive a standard-size sheet of paper, being the standard 8.5 "x 11". If your business receives legal size faxes, then it would be better to invest in a fax machine that is capable of supporting that size paper. Companies that received both legal and size must have documents in a fax machine that is equipped with two crates of paper. The two boxes of paper to enable the rule of law and the size of faxes to be printed without having to change to another size paper tray. It is also very nice to have a fax machine that is capable of printing a new fax in the order of the last page of the first page. With this feature, you do not have to change the papers in order to read them in the correct order. Whatever option you choose, whether it be by a fax machine with two paper trays or a fax machine that prints only the size of standard documents, there are plenty of models to choose from. This means that you will definitely be able to find exactly the right model to meet all their business needs.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Commercial Fax Machine Features

A fax machine commercial or business fax machine is used mainly by big companies that depend on sending and receiving faxes throughout the day. A fax machine business may have one or a combination of three characteristics of memory. Quick scanning is where the fax machine is able to scan a page in memory before the start of the fax transmission. Another feature is the memory of dual sweep. With dual sweep, a fax machine is able to send and receive faxes simultaneously. For example, you can scan a fax machine is outgoing while receiving a fax. Then, the fax machine will send the fax scanned from memory once the phone line is free.

If you need to send faxes to multiple recipients at the same time, you may want to invest in a fax machine that can deliver. Broadcasting allows someone to scan a fax once and then send the fax to all recipients of the kind of numbers in. This reduces the time lost when an individual has to scan a document several times in order to send one document to several people.

A variety of fax machines can be used as a kind of all-in-one model. What this implies is that his fax machine would be able to function as a copier or scanner. This is more of a "convenience copier," because is able to handle some issues at once rather than hundreds. This saves the trouble of employees operating the copy machine only when needed to make one copy. In addition, the fax machine can be connected to your personal computer and work as a document scanner. With this incredible all-in-a characteristic, a person does not have to leave your desk to perform a multitude of tasks crucial. All-in-one fax machines are also available for home computers. Now , With the latest technology, anyone can perform all these functions from the comfort of your home. This is often the preferred option because it allows more tasks business to be conducted from a single location.

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Positive Features of a Fax Machine

Each fax machine make and model has a different type of speed of transmission. Fax machines by sending higher speeds are known to pay for themselves. When a fax machine is used at a higher speed, there is a reduction in the amount of phone charges. In essence, this saves money that companies can turn to other avenues. Most fax machines are capable of sending a fax to an astonishing six to ten seconds per page. This allows a maximum of ten pages to be sent in a minute. Two fax machines, if they are the same or different, are able to communicate with each other. If two different fax machines communicate, they can only go to the maximum speed of the fax machine slower of the two. The only time a fax machine needs to communicate with another machine of the same brand and model is color when using technology.

Another important feature to remember about a fax machine is access data compression protocol. Access protocol data compression reduces the time it takes a fax machine to send a page. This is achieved because the amount of processed data is reduced. Almost every fax machine comes with a built-in Modified Protocol Huffman compression. If you buy a fax machine that has a Amended Protocol Read compression, then a fax you can send a maximum of twenty-five percent faster. This is a great feature for anyone sending multiple faxes several times a day. This means that employees spend less time on the fax machine, which allows them to have more time for other work.

Each type of fax machine has certain forms of memory built into its system. Some fax machines come with a memory function, known as out-of-paper reception. This means that fax machines stored the entry fax in their data bank memory. This feature allows you to see the incoming fax even if the fax machine runs out of paper. If you've already bought a fax machine, but have noticed that you need more memory available, most fax machines can have a memory card installed. In this way, you can keep the fax machine, is already familiar with and solve their problem of memory at the same time. A fax machine promises many benefits and features to the buyer, so it is a necessary tool in the business world.

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Thermal Fax Machine

The thermal fax machine is regarded as a part of technology. A fax machine uses thermal heat transfer technology, incorporating the heat transfer to an ink cartridge tape in thermal paper. Thermal fax machines are mainly used in the offices of origin. They are less expensive, but they are noisy, and the print quality is less clear. However, a fax machine heat is a great tool and resource for at-home entrepreneur.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Inkjet and Laser Fax Machines

A fax machine inkjet is, as it could not be for two reasons. Many business owners are benefiting from the sharp image and producing impressions. The fax machine inkjet is also affordable, ranging in several low-cost. This type of fax machine is designed for businesses that receive less than thirty faxes per day. If you receive more than this, you might want to consider a heavier model.

A fax machine laser can handle the stress of a heavy workload. Such uses a fax machine or a laser diode that emits light in print. This is the same basic technology used in laser printers. A fax machine uses laser toner to produce excessively high quality images printed on plain paper. The fax machine laser is considered highly reliable with very little maintenance requirements. Its major requirement is the purchase of toner found in any store office supplies.

Friday, October 3, 2008

A Fax Machine Defined

Almost all offices, large company or employer enjoys the ease of technology fax machine. A fax machine allows sending documents through regular telephone lines. This makes sending and receiving documents more quickly. People no longer have to wait a letter by mail or post an important document to be delivered via a courier service. It is amazing how a document is sent from one office to another. For the average spectator, it seems that information literally disappears, and then with the inclination of a magician's hat, the information is printed in other locations, if three thousand miles away or a few blocks down the street.

A fax machine is designed to scan a page of output, and then change the information on page in a special series of dark and light-colored dots. The darkness and light colored dots are then translated into specific audio tones that are carried through telephone lines. The fax machine that is getting reflected in the transmission of audio tones and spare light and dark points. This creates a mesh of points. Receiving fax then is printed in black and white copies of the original entry fax.

Color fax machine has become the technology available, but is still considered very rare. For a color fax machine to work, we must send color faxes to another fax machine color made by the same manufacturer. Se cree, however, that in the near future, color fax machines will become more readily available.

Inkjet fax machines and laser printing of fax machines are the two most commonly used machines in the market today. Both fax machines are able to print faxes received on plain paper instead of thermal paper, which was used in fax machines older. People can still buy a fax machine heat. This is a lower-end model which is usually cheaper. However, a fax machine thermal requires the use of special thermal paper. If you own a company busy receiving and sending faxes handfuls of every day, is a wise decision to invest in a business degree fax machine. These machines handle the stress of sending and receiving faxes multiple better.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fax machine features you won't want to do without

While all fax machines may seem the same, the difference between a good buy and a big purchase is in the details. Here is a summary of the characteristics to look beyond price.

Not all faxes are equally easy to use. Find one that is. Probably most cases-overlooked detail relates to how they handle faxes. Having to turn the page so incoming faxes so they can be properly sorted Peev is a pet of mine. Think about it, did go to McDonald's and order a hamburger and have to shuffle and the bread of hamburger in the correct order before you can eat? Fortunately, some fax machines do print incoming faxes upside down to avoid the need for the fax shuffle. Also looking for well-designed inbound and outbound fax tray and therefore are not bombarded with a series of documents that must be ordered.

Have a fax machine with a healthy size paper tray is also important. Look for one that is not necessary to replace more than one to two times per week. Any more than that and you risk having an empty paper tray at night or on weekends. A fax-equipped to handle the memory of those who do not currently document is a very useful feature to have as a backup and adds little to the cost.

If you like saving money, go with a fax machine that can transmit at speeds faster. I recommend looking for a fax machine that can transmit to 14400 bits per second (bps) and which uses the Modified Amended Resolution Read (MMR) compression standards. Faxes should be sent at least 50 percent faster than 9600 bps fax machines, assuming that there is another 14400 bps fax machine on the receiving end. The offices that send a lot of faxes will appreciate the lower telephone bills, as well as the increased availability of the fax. While there are 33600 bps around the machines are not widely available, meaning that the theoretical speed is rarely achieved.

If you're thinking of a multifunctional device, find one that has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. Parallel port connections are slow and should be avoided whenever possible. And be sure to find out if a PC is necessary for putting into it even if you just buy a multifunctional device as a fax machine. I made that mistake once and had to struggle on finding a Windows PC when our office had only Macintosh at the time.

0There are still a fax feature that I have not seen, however. Have you ever picked up a phone call and heard the sound of a fax trying to connect through hanging and have only the fax and retry again? I would love to be able to beat the # key and cancel the fax and send a message to the fax that reached a phone number, not a fax number, dial and try again. If you have information about a fax that can do that, please let me know.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

How to Buy a Black-and-White Fax Machine

Fax machines come with many features of buyers, but some just want the basics. Follow these steps to reduce its options if you are buying a black and white model fax.

Things you need:
  • Internet Access
  • Computer

Step1 Decide what features you need. Want a fast machine or a fax that can in large volume? Do you need a built-in scanner or a copier?

Step2 Research their options online. You can gather the most information in the shortest time reading and commentary on Internet forums.

Step3 Narrow their choices to two or three machines that best fit their needs.

Step4 Comparison store. Visit several online retailers and examine their prices. Moreover, local newspapers search for sales and prices in the shops nearby. Choose a model that comes closest to fulfilling their demands.

Step5 Set her new black and white fax machine and test-drive it. Always follow the installation instructions in the owner's manual.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

How to Send a Fax From a Computer

Sending a fax from your computer requires a fax modem and that its operating system to be configured lets you send and receive faxes

To send a fax, fax software

Step1 Prepare the document you want to fax.

Step2 Prepare a fax cover sheet, if desired.

Step3 Open your fax software - like Microsoft Fax or Microsoft Exchange.

Step4 Look an icon or menu command that lets you send a fax - as New Mail and Fax Mail. Click on that topic.

Step5 Follow instructions for entering the recipient's fax number and any other information requested. Be sure to include area codes and long-distance information if necessary.

Step6 Indicate if you want to send a cover.

Step7 When asked to attach the file, follow the instructions to attach the file you want to fax.

Step 8 When ready, click Submit. The fax begin to gather information and, when ready, will mark the remote fax machine.

Step9 When the connection is made, the fax was sent.

To fax from your word processing program

Step1 Some software products like Microsoft Word, let you fax a document without opening its fax software.

Step2 Open the document you want to fax.

Step3 From the File menu, select Print. Print window opens.

Step4 Instead print your default printer, look for an option that lets you print to fax. Select this option and click Print.

Step5 You will be asked to provide the recipient fax number and other information as a variety program with a fax.

Step6 The compiles message fax modem brand. If the connection is made with the other modem, the fax was sent.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

How to Receive a Fax on a Computer

To receive faxes, you need a fax modem, PC and operating system must be configured to allow sending and receiving faxes. You can receive a fax manually or automatically.

Things you need:
Fax Software

Receiving a fax manually

Step1 Open your fax software (Microsoft Fax, Microsoft Exchange or other software fax you may be using).

Step2 Locate an icon or menu command that lets you receive faxes (Receive, Appetizers, etc.).

Step3 Click on the icon or menu command that provides equipment to receive.

Step4 Avoid lift the telephone receiver when you hear the new ring. Responding to

Step5 Click now. The fax will start the download.

Step6 When incoming fax is received, go to your inbox to open, read or print your fax.

Receiving a fax automatically

Step1 Open your fax software (Microsoft Fax, Microsoft Exchange or other software fax you may be using).

Step2 Locate an icon or menu command that lets you receive faxes. Look for an option that lets you receive faxes automatically. Establishing such an option.

Step3 When there is a new fax, the phone rings. If the receiver is not lifted, the fax will be downloaded onto your computer. You do not have to hit reply.

Step4 Retrieve received faxes from your inbox software

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

How to Choose a Faxing Product

If you choose a team fax modem or a real fax machine? It is a multifunction device (scanner, printer and fax machine) it worth it? It depends on your needs

Things you need:
  • Fax Modems
  • Flat-bed scanners
  • Multifunction fax machines
  • Plain-paper fax
  • Thermal fax machines

Step1Choose a fax modem to send and receive faxes if you create all or most of its documents on a computer, and if you do not send or receive faxes that often. Print received faxes if you need a printed copy. You can explore any nonelectronic documents you need to fax, but is a long time.

Step2Consider a fax machine if you receive a lot of faxes. To receive a fax, you can make your computer to slow down, and you might not be able to work in other materials until it is completely received the fax.

Step3Choose thermal fax machine if you send faxes over what you receive, or whether permanent copies of faxes received are unnecessary.

Step4Buy a plain paper fax if you send and receive many faxes per day.

Step5Choose the MFD if you need a simple document fax, a printer or printer secondary, and a limited use of scanner, and if your desktop space is very limited.

Friday, August 22, 2008

How to Save Money on Faxing

With the growing importance of the Internet as a communications tool, the fax has become less important. However, the fax remains a viable option for many people and businesses, thus reducing the cost of fax remains an important task for many.

Step1 Upgrade his fax machine. If your fax machine can not communicate faster speed industry standard, acquire a faster machine to reduce the time spent on sending faxes. This is particularly important for long-distance fax. If you receive a large number of faxes, invest in a fax machine laser instead of an inkjet to reduce the cost of printing.

Step2 Schedule faxes to off-peak. From long-distance costs are lower after the normal hours of telecommunications in many plans. Find out if his plan incentives to any fax at certain times, and schedule your faxes to those days, whenever possible. If necessary, negotiate lower long distance rates with its telecom provider, change your plan or switch to a provider with lower costs.

Step3 Open an Internet account fax. If you require a high volume of faxes that originate as electronic documents, open an account with an Internet fax service. These let you send faxes directly from computer applications, and some services to reduce their long distance by sending fax machines locally. They also receive faxes over the Internet or e-mail download files, thereby reducing printing costs.

Step4 Scan and email. If your typical recipients can accept documents by e-mail rather than fax, a scanner invest in exploration which includes e-mail capabilities. Many current fax machines and multifunction devices also offer the possibility of email, and can quickly pay for themselves by reducing telecommunications costs.

Step5 Accept electronic documents. Assess your business processes to determine whether it can accept electronic documents instead of faxes. Then publish an email address along with a fax number as a method for receiving documents.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

How Internet Faxing Works

In this era of the paperless office and digital documents, it seems that the more paper and ink fax might finally be ready to retire. However, the fax remains an essential part of doing business in certain types of documents (legal contracts, for example) and some industries, such as public relations.

Desktop-fax software and services as possible to send and receive faxes without having to touch a real fax machine. With the fax desktop, cree any document on your computer can be sent to a fax machine via e-mail or the Web.

In this article we will talk about the Internet, fax, a kind of desktop fax in which outgoing email attachments become faxes and incoming faxes are converted into e-mail attachments.

Internet Fax Basics
With the Internet, fax any document that can be attached to an e-mail can be sent by fax to a fax machine analog. This includes Microsoft Word documents, PDF files and scanned images.

Internet fax is a hosted service, meaning they do not need to buy and install servers fax, modem and special software. Instead, you subscribe to a third party the Internet fax service that converts faxes and e-mails to faxes to e-mails for you.

Here are the three basic things you need to send faxes Internet:

  1. An Internet connection
  2. An e-mail account
  3. A subscription to an Internet fax service

Once you have all three, here is like sending a fax using the Internet fax:

  1. Since its desktop application or email Web, composing a message and attach the file you want to fax.
  2. As the instructions of its subscription Internet-fax service, e-mail message to the recipient's fax number, plus a special extension (example: 18005551000@internetfax.com)
  3. The service receives an e-mail attachment, encodes the attachment as fax data and sends it through a telephone line for the recipient's fax machine.

You can receive a fax on your computer in the same way:

  1. Your subscription to Internet-fax service assigns you a free telephone line or regular fax number.
  2. The sender mark that number, then sends the fax of a fax machine.
  3. The subscription service receives the fax, converts the data into a an e-mail attachment and sends it to his email address.
  4. To read the fax, simply open the attachment.

Since e-mail is the only application needed to send and receive faxes Internet, faxes can also be sent from a handheld device. Read on to find out more about the Internet fax of a PDA.

How can I receive faxes in my home office without paying for a fax machine and phone line?

-- Many small business owners and people working at home must be able to send and receive documents via a fax machine. In the past, that meant the purchase or lease of a fax machine and additional payment for telephone service. Now, several companies offer Internet-based virtual fax services. These services typically assign fax numbers to customers so they can receive faxes from the traditional fax machines. Normally, fax services charge a monthly fee. Many offer different levels of service, of which only accounts can receive faxes unlimited local fax. Some also offer additional services like voice mail.

Here's how it works:

  • You subscribe to the service.
  • The service assigned a fax number and provides instructions on how to send a fax from an email program or a Web interface.
  • You send and receive faxes as attachments via email.
  • The service bills on a monthly basis or by fax, depending on their service plan.

Sending and receiving faxes through these services in a manner similar to works with a traditional fax machine. To send a fax:

  • You attach the document to an email address and message to the recipient fax number. Depending on your service provider, you can add a domain name (eg 18005551234@emailfaxes.com). The document can be an exploration of a paper document or other documents, if the service supports.
  • The service translates the attachment so that the recipient of the fax can read it.
  • The service sends data through the telephone line.
  • The recipient's fax decodes the data and prints.

To receive a fax:

  • The sender mark your fax number.
  • The fax machine translates the data and transmits them over the phone line.
  • The service receives data and translates into an image file.
  • The service sends the image file to your email address.
  • You open the email and the attachment and view the file.

Basic Idea Behind Fax Machines

Fax machines have been around in one form or another for more than a century - Alexander Bain patented the first fax design in 1843 (see Science Online: Alexander Bain and fax machine for more information). Looking back at some early designs, you can get a pretty good idea of how they work today. Most of the first designs in a rotating drum. To send a fax, you attach the piece of paper to the drum, with the impression outward faces. The rest of the machine worked something like this:

  • There was a small photo sensor with a lens and a light.
  • The photo sensor is attached to an arm and faced the sheet of paper.
  • The arm can move down on the sheet of paper from one extreme to another as the road turn into the drum.

In other words, it worked something like a lathe.

The photo sensor was able to see and focus on a small piece of land on pieces of paper - perhaps an area of 0.01-inch-square (0.25 square millimeters). That small piece of paper would be either white or black. The drum would rotate so that the photo sensor could consider a line of the sheet of paper and then lose one line. He did so either in stages or in a long spiral.

To transmit information via a telephone line in early fax machines used a technique very simple: If the ground of the role that the photo cell was watching were white, the fax machine to send a tone, if it were black, would send a different tone (see How modems work for details). For example, it could have sent a 800-Hertz tone white and a 1300-Hertz pitch black.

On the receiving end, there would be a rotation similar mechanism drum, and a kind of pen to mark on paper. When the receiving fax machine heard a 1300-Hertz tone that would apply pen to paper, and when they heard a 800-Hertz tone to take the pen out of paper.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

How to Buy a Fax Machine and tips

When looking for a fax machine, consider quality, price and special features. If you need to send faxes but not receive them, consider a fax modem as an alternative.

Step1 Determine the type of machine you want. Choose a film-cartridge fax machine to get mediocre print quality. Look for an ink-jet fax machine to get better print quality for a slightly higher price but the highest cost of use. Buy a laser fax machine for good print quality if you can afford to pay more. If you'll receive a lot of faxes, the higher purchase price will quickly be offset by the lower cost of use.

Step2 Look for machines with four choices for image quality.

Step3 Make sure the machine can print 64 shades of gray if you'll be receiving and copying both text and images. Color-capable machines are also available, but they're expensive.

Step4 Figure out how many speed-dial numbers you'll need, if any.

Step5 Decide whether you need an integrated digital answering machine.

Step6 Compare each model's capacity for feeding multiple pages, storing received faxes when the machine is out of paper and 'broadcast' faxing to a group of recipients.

Step7 Evaluate how easy the machine is to use.

Step8 Look for advanced business features, if necessary, such as delayed transmission, the ability to 'poll' other fax machines, copy reduction and enlargement, and 'shrink to fit' 8 1 /2-by-11-inch pages.

Step9 Budget for everything you'll need, such as paper, extra cartridges, a surge suppressor and a service contract.

Step10 Consider service contracts offered by the dealer if they include maintenance and loaner privileges and cover normal wear.
Step11Base your final decision on functionality and initial and ongoing costs.

Tips & Warnings
  • You typically don't need to get a separate phone line (the fax or an attached answering machine may be able to tell incoming faxes from voice calls, or the sender can input a fax-activation code), but an extra line is convenient if you're doing a lot of faxing.
  • Be sure to budget for consumable items, such as paper and cartridges or ink.
  • A film cartridge typically produces 357 pages. Divide cartridge price by number of pages to figure out the cost per page.
  • Toner cartridges for laser fax machines can produce up to several thousand pages, depending on the brand and model.
  • Unusually low prices indicate low quality in parts and construction. Be wary of machines with 90-day manufacturer's warranties; most machines come with a one-year warranty.

Article source from eHow

What's Facsimile machines

Fax (short for facsimile, from Latin fac simile, "make similar", i.e. "make a copy") is a telecommunications technology used to transfer copies (facsimiles) of documents, especially using affordable devices operating over the telephone network. The word telefax, short for telefacsimile, for "make a copy at a distance", is also used as a synonym. Although fax is not an acronym, it is often erroneously written as such (“FAX”).

The device is also known as a telecopier in certain industries. When sending documents to people at large distances, faxes have a distinct advantage over postal mail in that the delivery is nearly instantaneous, yet its disadvantages in quality have relegated it to a position beneath email as the prevailing form of electronic document transferral.

A "fax machine" usually consists of an image scanner, a modem, and also offered as options for many high-volume workgroup printers and photocopiers.

Although devices for transmitting printed documents electrically have existed, in various forms, since the mid to late 20th century, modern fax machines became feasible only in the mid-1970s as the sophistication increased and cost of the three underlying technologies dropped. Digital fax machines first became popular in Japan, where they had a clear advantage over competing technologies like the teleprinter, since at the time (before the development of easy-to-use input method editors) it was faster to handwrite kanji than to type the characters. Over time, faxing gradually became affordable, and by the mid-1980s, fax machines were very popular around the world.

Although many businesses still maintain some kind of fax capability, the technology has faced increasing competition from Internet-based systems. However, fax machines still retain some advantages, particularly in the transmission of sensitive material which, due to mandates like Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA, cannot be sent over the Internet unencrypted. In some countries, because digital signatures on contracts are not recognized by law while faxed contracts with copies of signatures are, fax machines enjoy continuing popularity in business.

In many corporate environments, standalone fax machines have been replaced by "fax servers" and other computerized systems capable of receiving and storing incoming faxes electronically, and then routing them to users on paper or via a email (which may be secured). Such systems have the advantage of reducing costs by eliminating unnecessary printouts and reducing the number of inbound analog phone lines needed by an office.

Article source From Wikipedia