When fax machines first came on to the market it was often a mystery to their users just how the fax machine took a document, sent it out over a phone line, and then the document managed to come out on the other end looking the same way it did when it was sent. Just as much of a mystery today is how you can send a fax from the Internet to a traditional fax machine. However, the process really isn’t that complicated and is easy to understand with some simple explanation. And the best thing, is that it is easy for anyone to use, anywhere around the world!
There are a few different ways to fax from the Internet to a destination fax machine. These various options allow the sender to save both time and money by sending their fax from the Internet rather than from a traditional fax machine. In addition, they allow for paperless communication which is better for the environment and makes organizing documents much easier. In order to see where fax technology has come, it is important to first understand the basics of fax technologies of the past.
The Traditional Fax Machine
The traditional fax machine used a scanner to scan in your document. From there the scan was covered into sound and transmitted via modem, over the public phone system, to another fax machine. At the destination fax machine, the document was reconstructed from the sound, and then it was printed-out using a printer contained within the fax machine. Using a traditional fax machine required a dedicated phone line for the fax machine itself, long distance service for long distance phone calls associated with faxing, and toner and paper to print out any received faxes.
The Computer-Based Fax
As more and more people started using computers connected to modems, the ability was then developed to send faxes through a computer. This method of faxing would send out the document through a computer’s modem to a traditional fax machine. In addition, any computer with fax software was also able to receive faxes as long as it was currently turned on and waiting for the fax to arrive. While computer-based faxing was seen as advancement in faxing technology, it still required the use of the traditional phone system and long distance charges still applied for faxes sent out of the local area. In addition, it required the receiving computer to be turned on and waiting for a fax to be sent which was not always practical.
Fax from the Internet Technology
The next advancement in faxing was the ability to fax from the Internet. Faxing utilizing the Internet requires the use of a fax server or fax gateway to move documents from the Internet to the phone system where they can be delivered to the recipient’s traditional fax machine. In order to send a fax from your email client the document travels on a path from your computer, through a fax server or fax gateway, through a regular phone line, and ends at the destination fax machine. One of the biggest advantages in being able to fax from the Internet is the ability to send and receive multiple faxes at one time. In addition, faxing using the Internet does not require that the recipient’s computer is turned on in order for them to receive your fax transmission.
By: Sara Young
Posts Tagged ‘Fax Machine’
Fax From The Internet – How Does Faxing From the Internet Work?
January 5th, 2010How To Send A Fax Over The Internet
January 5th, 2010
Today the use of a normal fax machine to send a message to some one anywhere both in the state, country where you live and around the world is fast becoming obsolete. Today more and more people are now using the internet as a way of being able to send fax messages. The reason why this is because it works out a lot cheaper to send a fax over the internet rather than using the more traditional method. But how does one go about doing this? In this article we take you through the steps on how to send a fax over the internet.
Step 1 – You first need to turn your PC or laptop on and then of course you need to make sure that it is connected to the internet. You won’t actually be able to do anything until you have actually got online, then once you do you can carry out the following steps.
Step 2 – Next you need to find an internet fax service or program. This can quickly and easily be done just by typing in words such as “internet fax program” in to your favorite web browser. Once you have found a program you then need to check to make sure that your computer has the right system requirements. Also you may find that you need to pay either a monthly or annual fee in order to use it.
Step 3 – When you have found the right program for you and your PC you will need to download it. There are lots of different programs available some of which allow you to send and receive faxes (nearly all of the time) by accessing their email accounts.
Step 4 – Once you have the program down loaded you can then open it and you will then need to locate the icon which allows you to create a new fax. Once you have located this you then need to click on it. This will then open up a new fax template for you to use to create your own.
Step 5 – Now all you have to do is following the prompts provided to you by the program which will help you to complete your fax. You will need to enter information such as the name of the recipient, the fax number to which it is going along with your own details.
Step 6 – You need to follow all prompts provided and if you need to attach another document to your fax then you should locate the icon that allows you to do this. As with Windows Outlook the icon for attaching may well be shaped like a paperclip.
Step 7 – This is the final step you will need to take when you want to know how to send a fax over the internet. Once all the necessary parts of the fax have been completed you just need to click on the “Send” button and then the rest will be done for you. It really is that simple and easy to send a fax over the internet.
By: Paul Abbey
How to Send an International Fax Easily With Internet Faxing
October 28th, 2009
Do you need to send an international fax but don’t know how to do it? Well, nowadays learning how to send an international fax is easy with the appearance of fax software and internet fax services. These two options will let you send the needed documents in a matter of seconds with great quality and clarity.
As you know, the Internet has reshaped the way we communicate, and with faxing there is no exception. So, if you want to know how to send an international fax, you don’t need an old fax machine anymore. You can do everything from your computer with just a few clicks; take for granted that your fax will travel very fast to any part of the World!
Your Options for Internet Faxing
To send an international fax, you can use online services or faxing programs. Both options will do the work, but to start maybe it would be better to use services that will walk you through every step of the process. The best thing about companies that offer these kinds of services is that they offer 30 day free trials, you can begin by taking advantage of these trials and decide if this is the right option for you.
Fax software will require installation and it is installed just on your computer (unlike services that can be accessed with any Internet connection), but these faxing programs not only show you how to send an international fax, but will also act as communications hub being able to handle e-mail, phone calls and messaging. Another benefit of fax software is that it integrates into your commonly used applications.
As, you see, learning how to send an international fax doesn’t require the use of machines anymore. The Internet has given us a series of convenient products and service that will speed up your communications!
By: Paolo Basauri
