Purchasing resources for Email Fax

Your PC can double as a fax, sending and receiving paperless fax messages over the Internet. Sending a fax over IP (for Internet Protocol) can be less expensive and more effective than faxing as a phone call because:

1. You are not paying phone charges – your Internet service fee covers your faxing.
2. There's less equipment to buy and maintain. Faxes can be sent via an e-mail program as an attachment. Use a scanner to convert hard-copy to digital files.
3. It can grow with your business with little intervention. The service can easily scale from 20 people using it to 20,000.

Do it yourself on your own systems

One way to set up fax over IP is to buy the software yourself. This can cut or reduce monthly fees or per-fax charges.

Outsource the process

You also can outsource your IP faxing for a fee, which can be based on a period of time or on the number of faxes.

Combine with VoIP

If you're considering replacing your land-line phone system with voice over IP, take a look at devices that combine VoIP with fax over IP.

Get a free trial

Some Internet fax companies offer free trials. This is a great way to get to know the service.

• E-mail might still be your best bet for most business-to-business communication, but faxes can work if anti-spam software blocks outgoing e-mails or if the information doesn't translate well in an e-mail.
• Be sure to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 (JFPA), and any state or local laws concerning faxing.
• When you can, ask clients how they prefer to receive information. Don't assume fax is better just because you offer the service.