Fax server software basics helps you decide which fax software is best for your business use. You can fax from email, over your network or use VOIP. Using fax software eliminates the need for a traditional fax machine by using your computer as the fax.

Choose faxing to and from email if you send and receive many faxes. This will save on ink and paper since you do not have to print out the faxes. Read them from your email and archive them on your desktop. Look at the following to make an informed fax server software choice:

1. Know the difference between the types so you obtain the correct software for your business.

2. Choose the best fax server software from the available choices.

3. Review the software you chose prior to purchase.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select the right fax server software programs for your business

You can fax from email, receive in email, use your network to fax, fax from your desktop or fax over VOIP. Decide which option is best for your business.

I recommend: Email Addresses provides a list of fax server software companies that provide email to fax software. Dave Berger's Internet Faxing Guide provides a list of companies that allow you to send and receive faxes from email along with some details on how to accomplish this. Network Computing offers information about fax server solution companies that send faxes over your network. Take the time to investigate this type of fax transmission so you make an informed decision about the type of fax software your business needs.

Pick software for fax servers that meets your business needs

Many companies provide facsimilie server software, so do your homework to find the company that offers the best solution for your needs at the best price.

I recommend: Hot Frog lists several fax server software applications from which to choose. Pick the right one for your business needs. Phone Soft Internet Directory provides a long list of fax server software companies with a brief description of their product. Click on the given link to find out more about the products you may want to purchase. Server Files.com offers a list of fax server software companies. Click on the company to find out exactly what they provide and the benefits to your company.

Determine the best fax server solutions for your business

Check online reviews of the fax server software program before you buy. Make sure there are no known issues before you invest in the software.

I recommend: Windows IT Pro offers articles on fax server software. Before you buy faxing software, check their review. RBytes offers reviews on fax tools. Check their site for reviews of fax software you may want to purchase.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Compare prices as part of fax server software basics so you get the best price for your new software.

Fax machines aren't a dead technology, but they can be bulky, expensive, and they're not exactly portable. But software or an online service can turn your PC into a handy fax machine. Some of the benefits include:

1. Integration with email programs and business applications that let you send faxes almost as easily as printing a file.
2. Archiving sent and received faxes on your PC to retrieve or review at any time.
3. With the online services, receiving faxes even if your PC is disconnected from the Internet or phone line. You pay a monthly fee for the service, however.
4. Free service through some online fax companies if all you need to do is receive (and not send) a few faxes. You may have to agree to receive fax-based marketing messages in return.

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Choose basic fax software for your PC

If you have Windows XP, the built-in fax service can cover basic faxing needs for individuals and small businesses. (You may have to install the program from your Windows XP CD.) Third-party fax software solutions, however, often come with a broader set of features as well as technical support.

I recommend: Check out MightyFax, FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro, SnappyFax, VentaFax, Fax Machine, and FindApp.com's Phone and Fax List. To use the built-in fax service with Windows XP, read Microsoft's online tech support article.

Choose an internet fax service

Internet fax services let you use a combination of Web browser and email to send and receive faxes, and they come with a dedicated fax number that you can give to clients or business partners, which you can upgrade to a toll-free number. Plus, Internet fax services can easily scale with your business as you send and receive more faxes or add employees.

I recommend: Check out eFax, Send2Fax, ClickFax, MyFax, MaxEmail, FaxMicro, RingCentral Internet Fax, and TopTenREVIEWS's Faxing Services Review.

Choose enterprise fax software for your whole business

If you send a large number of faxes or need to integrate fax capabilities with a broad array of business applications, you're going to need robust fax software and maybe even a fax server.

I recommend: Check out TargetFax, FAXCOM Fax Server, GoldFax, OneTouch Global Technologies Fax Server, Protus MyFax, FaxBack, and Biscom.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Monthly Web fax service subscriptions can start at around eight to twelve dollars and set a limit of how many faxes you can send or receive, typically 100 to 200 of each, then charge per fax over the limit at seven to ten cents each.
• •  Internet faxing can turn your Blackberry, Palm or other portable device into a fax machine, too. Some services will send the fax as a message your cell phone.

Provide fax server software education and training for your employees to give them the skills to handle even the hardest fax server issues. This type of software training keeps your fax server up and running. With fully qualified employees, you won't need to call for support or pay a professional to maintain your fax server. Whether your have a small company with eight employees or a company of 8,000, you can benefit from fax server software education and training.

Fax server software education and training is available in three separate types of courses. Online training is available to study at your own pace and at any time you choose. Classroom training is more structured and requires attendance at a specific time. Classroom training generally covers more information than online or weekend seminars. Weekend seminars and camps are designed to accommodate the full-time employee. These classes are usually stretched out over Saturdays and Sundays.

1. Train online for fax server software application.

2. Attend full classroom courses for fax server software programs.

3. Receive training for fax server solutions at seminars or camps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive online training for fax server software applications

Online training is often a combination of reading materials, videos and instructional diagrams. These courses are designed for people who want to learn at their own pace. These training classes are a good choice for those who can't attend weekend or classroom courses.

I recommend: Find online training for fax server solutions at Sagem-Interstar. TargetFax provides web courses for a variety of software for fax servers. Visit TechRepublic for free web training for fax server software programs.

Find full classroom courses for fax server software programs

Classroom courses for faxing software programs vary in length. Some may last one week while others last an entire semester. The length of the course is often indicative of how comprehensive the course is.

I recommend: Visit Cantata Technology for information about training for fax server software programs. Browse the course options for fax sharing software at Alto Consulting and Training.

Train for fax server solutions at seminars and camps

Seminars and camps allow employers to send employees to classroom-type trainings without cutting into the workweek. This allows you to train employees to work more efficiently when coming up with a fax server solution without slowing down the work flow.

I recommend: Biscom offers weekend seminars for fax server software applications. Find seminars and weekend classes for facsimile server software at Captaris.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Courses for fax server solutions are often specific to one type or brand of software. Some training is available that covers many fax server software system problems. Read all of the information about the training to make sure you receive training for the correct software.

When businesses want to limit the cost of faxing, fax software is often part of a solution. The range of technologies that has been developed for faxing helps businesses to manage their fax document costs by arranging to send faxes in an electronic manner. A good fax server setup in the correct fax server software will enable e-business to have much more flexibility in how it uses faxing as a communication tool. Knowing about some of the key terms for fax server software will help the business see how this kind of computerized solution can drive communications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Fax server

A fax server is basically a computerized fax machine. A fax server can be set up within an LAN and can route fax documents through a network.

I recommend: Learn more about the fax server from this online glossary from SIP Knowledge.

Internet faxing

Internet faxing is a new way to send and receive fax messages. With Internet faxing, software allows users to direct documents remotely for printing in a variety of ways.

I recommend: Read up on Internet faxing at this Technology FAQ.

Integration

Integration in terms of fax server software is the manner in which hardware communicates and how managers set up various pieces of hardware to interact well. This is important for making sure that systems operate well.

I recommend: See more about integration at this page from Tech Target.

Archiving

Archiving is the process of saving files or data. Some fax server software and machines include archiving features for saving copies of the faxes that are sent and received from an office. Compare fax server software to see what kind of archiving features are included.

I recommend: Read more about types of archiving from this "In a nutshell" page.

Email to fax

Email to fax is a specific software for turning emails into fax documents. A piece of email to fax software can turn your Blackberry or Palm device into a fax machine. This is popular for business managers on the go.

I recommend: Read about email to fax software at sites like MaxEmail.

VoIP

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a new technology that replaces using fiber optic lines with the idea of packet sized data and sending it over the Internet directly. This new tool often provides a way to communicate with traditional mediums like the fax at a lower rate of expense.

I recommend: See more on VoIP at Webopedia.