Precisely How Can I Distribute A Web Fax?

By Author: Jen Silva
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Is It Possible to Send a Fax from a PC?

Fax machines seem like they should be antiquated technology. Since so many computers come with internet access and scanners, there seems to be little purpose to still having fax machines. Unfortunately, many people still have to travel to businesses to pay to have faxes sent. The main reason why people still do this is because many don’t know that a fax can indeed be sent over the internet from a home computer. There are basically three ways you can send a web fax at home. Here is an overview of these three methods.

Using a Fax Modem

The first way to perform a web fax is by installing a fax modem on your computer. A fax modem is a bit different than a regular modem. A fax modem is specifically designed to communicate with fax machines and other fax modems through a telephone line.

A modem such as this can be installed into a computer in a number of different ways. Certain modems can be installed inside the computer’s physical hardware as a new motherboard or a card inside a laptop. Alternatively, there are also external fax ...
... modems on the market. These can simply be connected to your computer via a USB port. Sending a fax through a fax modem such as these is as simple as selecting a document on your hard-drive, entering a telephone number, and pressing send.

Using an Online Service

If you don’t have a fax modem or don’t wish to purchase one, one of the best alternatives for sending a fax is using an online service. This method still implements traditional fax machine technology. However, it allows you to use a website as a “middle man.”

Using this kind of service, you would first scan, upload, or create the file you would want to fax from your computer. You would then travel to the website with your web browser and log into the service. Once logged in, you can upload the document you want to fax as an attachment. The only other thing you have to do is enter the phone number you wish to fax the document to and click send. The company who provides the service will then use their own fax modems to send the document to the appropriate address.

Unfortunately, services such as these are rather expensive. Most usually, the website will charge a monthly fee. This fee could be anywhere from twenty to fifty dollars a month.

Using Web Fax Software

Lastly, there is the option of downloading web fax software. There are a number of such software packages available. Most usually, all you have to do is download them to your computer. These packages can range greatly in price. Some may cost over $100 while others exist as freeware.

However, you should be very careful to research these software packages before you commit to spend money on them. Certain supposed web fax programs may not actually be able to communicate with fax machines at all. Instead, they implement a kind of e-mail program that uses regular IP addresses. Seeing as how e-mail with attachment capabilities is already available to nearly everyone for free, purchasing this kind of software is rather pointless.

Other software packages may also require the purchase of a fax modem for the software to properly operate. The fact that a modem will need to be purchased to actually send a fax may be hidden deceptively in the fine print.

Still, it is possible for certain kinds of software to send a fax. A program can accomplish this for example by connecting to a computer network that implements fax modems within that network. Alternatively, the software may also act as a “software modem” that uses your computer’s processors as a replacement for a fax modem’s hardware.

Whatever the case, you should investigate the benefits and drawbacks of each option carefully before you invest money to send faxes through your computer.
About Author:
The author is a creator and specialist of small business tools and solutions on topics such as web fax. Please visit http://www.faxcompare.com/web-fax-service-faq for more info on frequently asked web fax questions.