Today, I’m going to explain the history of fax machines and tell you why that history is nowhere close to being complete.

Bain Sends The World’s First Fax

The world’s first fax was sent by a man named Alexander Bain. Using rudimentary technology in an age before widespread electricity usage, Bain was nonetheless able to send an image over telephone wire.

Bain did this in a creative way: he synchronized the movement of two pendulums through a clock. This synchronization helped to accurately scan an image line by line.

After being scanned, that image was transferred onto a cylinder. The cylinder was then able to reproduce that image using the synchronization of the pendulum.

By today’s standards, Bain’s first faxes were of very poor quality and resolution. Back in 1846, however, they amazed the technological community.

By the end of 1843, Bain had filed a fax machine patent for: “Improvements in producing and regulating electric currents and improvements in timepieces, and in electric printing, and signal telegraphs.”

The word ‘fax’, never came up in the patent. The patent author chose instead to use the word “electric printing.” However, during this time period, reproductions sent via various “faxing” technologies were called “facsimiles”, which is where the word “fax” comes from.

Bakewell Produces The World’s First Fax Machine

Bain’s device was technically a fax machine. However, if you looked at the machine today, you would never guess it was a fax machine.

An English physicist named Frederick Bakewell saw Bain’s machine and thought he could do better. His new and improved invention debuted at the 1851 World’s Fair in London. The machine replaced Bain’s pendulums with rotating cylinders and used a stylus to copy and reproduce the image.

When you look at Bakewell’s machine, it looks like an ancient version of the modern fax machine – which is exactly what it was. However, the device never gained widespread adoption or success due to its poor quality of reproduction and limited usefulness – why would you buy a fax machine when nobody else in the world has one?

First Popular Fax Machine

Sorry, Frederick Bakewell. As hard as you tried, your fax machine would never catch on. Later in the century, however, Bakewell’s early fax machine provided a foundation for Giovanni Caselli. Caselli was an Italian physicist who is credited with creating the world’s first commercial faxing operation.

Caselli’s fax machine – called the Pantelegraph – did something that no other fax machine had done to date: it became popular.

Why on earth was it called the Pantelegraph, you might ask? It’s made up of two words: “pantograph”, which was a machine used to copy drawings and words, and “telegraph”, which were wires capable of transmitting data over long distances. The Pantelegraph used both of these devices to provide early fax machine services to businesses and individuals in Europe.

The secret behind the success of the Pantelegraph was its use of two regulating clocks. There was one regulating clock on the sending machine and another on the receiving machine. This synchronicity allowed the Pantelegraph to transmit data anywhere a telegraph wire could be laid.

Pantelegraph systems were established between major cities in Europe. The first system was built between Paris and Lyon, France, in 1865. Two years later, the system was extended to Marseille.

Ten years after that, the communications world experienced another groundbreaking moment: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. The widespread installation of telephone wires would change the fax machine industry forever.

Turn of The Century Improvements To Fax Technology

The turn of the century was an exciting time to be on the planet. Electricity, cars, and flight were quickly entering the public mind.

At the same time, fax machine technology continued to expand. Inspired by Caselli’s success, inventors tried to tweak and tune the Pantelegraph to meet the needs of businesses and individuals around the world.

Here are a few of the notable fax machine inventors from the turn of the century:

Shelford Bidwell: Bidwell made a major breakthrough in fax machine technology. Instead of sending data down telegraph wires, Bidwell created a fax machine powered by selenium cells and then connected the device to a telephone wire. In 1881, his work was published in Nature, where it was called “Tele-Photography.”

Edouard Belin: Swiss inventor Edouard Belin created something called the Belinographe. The Belinographe sent images over both telephone and telegraph wires. Its major innovation was in the way it scanned images for transmission. Just like today’s fax machines, the Belinographe scanned the image and recorded the intensity of light point-by-point. Since information could travel via both telephone and telegraph networks, the Belinographe was able to reach distant geographic locations in short periods of time.

Elisha Gray: Elisha Gray created the teleautograph. As you may have guessed from the name, the teleautograph was a revolutionary device for autographs and signatures. Instead of having to mail important documents back and forth, businessmen and politicians were able to send verified signatures via teleautograph. This made the world a significantly smaller place for banking, big business, politics, and other industries. Amazingly, the original company behind the teleautograph, Teleautograph Corporation, survived until 1999 when it was bought out by Xerox. Of course, the teleautograph did more than just transmit signatures. Anyone could sit down at one machine, scribble a signature or image onto a piece of paper, and have that image appear in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, or other cities across America.

Richard H. Ranger: The other names in this section made great technological strides forward for the industry. However, it was Richard H. Ranger who truly introduced the fax machine to the public. Ranger was an American electrical engineer most famous for transmitting the first photograph across the ocean using radio technology. His transmission device was called the wireless photoradiogram. His work was similar to the work of Arthur Korn, who had previously transmitted an image of the Pope from Italy to Maine.

Rudolf Hell and The Hellschreiber

The Hellschreiber sounds like a deadly weapon a Bond villain would use. It’s not. Instead, Hellschreiber simply means “light pen” in German and was an early forerunner to today’s fax machines.

The Hellschreiber was invented by Rudolf Hell in the 1920s and 1930s. Obviously, the 1920s and 1930s were a unique period in German history, and Adolf Hitler’s regime would end up using the Hellschreiber to communicate with troops during World War II. It played a role in the infamous Enigma encryption system, for example, and helped spread Nazi propaganda across Europe.

After the war, the Hellschreiber was used for much more innocent purposes. It was popular with press release and newswire agencies, for example. It remained in use until the 1980s by radio operators and various media agencies.

The Hellschreiber’s major innovation was describing pages of text using a series of pixels. A 7×7 grid would represent one letter of the alphabet, and an electronic reader would translate all of the letters on a page of text into binary data that could be passed down phone lines.

Radio Fax

Radiofax was the first major invention which saw the word “facsimile” shortened to “fax”. Radiofax was created in the 1950s and relied on the image transmission technology created by Richard Ranger and Arthur Korn.

Radiofax machines are still in popular use today. They’re used to broadcast weather information and maritime charts around the world. When the technology was first invented in the 1950s, it used landlines to spread weather charts across the United States. As the technology expanded internationally, it relied on HF radio.

Today, Radiofax can be known by two interchangeable names: HF Fax and Weatherfax. No matter what you call it, this technology made international shipping and maritime travel safer while also instantly sharing weather data around the world.

Color Fax

Herbert E. Ives was an American scientist who accomplished many great things in life – he performed an experiment which confirmed Einstein’s theory of special relativity’s time dilation, for example, and played a key role in the American optical field.

Faxing was just one of his many passions. In 1942, he transmitted the world’s first color fax. The technology would eventually play a key role in early television broadcasts.

We can thank Ives for both the color fax and, indirectly, color television. He was a visionary in the world of communications.

Xerox Creates The World’s First Commercial Fax Machine

All of the inventors listed above paved the way for Xerox to make a lot of money in the faxing industry. The world’s most well-known faxing company created something called Long Distance Xerograph, or LDX, in 1964.

LDX was remarkably similar to today’s fax machines. In six minutes, LDX could transmit an average-sized document anywhere in the world via phone lines.

Industrialized nations like America, Japan, and Germany quickly adopted this technology. While the first LDX machines were incredibly large by today’s standards, Xerox continued to tweak the design until achieving the average-sized units we see today.

Worldwide Standards In Faxing Technology

Throughout history, the legal world has constantly played ‘catch up’ with the world of technology. This also took place in the faxing industry. It wasn’t until 1980 when something called the ITU G3 Facsimile Standard was created by a Japanese telecommunications giant.

Despite the boring-sounding name, the ITU G3 Facsimile Standard was actually a major breakthrough in the world of technology. Different regions in the world use different standards for many tech devices – some regions use CDMA or GSM for mobile devices, for example, while other regions use 110V electricity instead of 220V.

The fax industry, on the other hand, adopted a single worldwide standard. There was no reason why a fax machine produced in Japan would not be able to communicate with a fax machine produced in South Africa.

That standard encouraged new fax machine companies to enter the market and led to widespread adoption of fax machines across the world. In the 1980s, fax machines were absolutely vital to international and domestic businesses in every country on the planet.

Faxing Versus The Internet

In the 1980s, the internet was just a dim light on the horizon. It was growing more and more popular, but it still faced limited coverage and use. That’s why the fax machine remained the most popular communications tool for long distances.

As we all know, this disparity wouldn’t last long. As the internet became more popular, fax machine use declined. There were still plenty of good reasons to use a fax machine, but email became the best way to send a quick message from one end of the planet to another.

Foreseeing the rise of computers and the internet, Xerox began to include Ethernet on their fax machines in the 1980s, while computer manufacturers like GammaFax created dual-purpose fax machines and desktop computers.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were the end of faxing’s heyday. However, early faxing inventors have influenced our world in a considerable number of ways. They played a role in getting color television into every home, for example, and paved the way for multiple types of mass communications technology. From radio to television to electronic signature technology, we can thank the fax machine and its inventors for a lot of things we take for granted.

The future may seem uncertain for fax machines in a world dominated by email and cloud storage. Despite their decline in popularity, fax machines have not become obsolete. They continue to serve crucial functions, especially in specific industries such as healthcare, legal, and finance, where faxed signatures and documents still hold significant value.

Current Role of Fax Machines

1. Legal and Healthcare Industries: Fax machines remain indispensable in the legal and healthcare sectors. These industries often rely on faxed documents for their legality and security. Faxed signatures, for instance, are still considered more legitimate and binding than electronically signed documents in many jurisdictions.
2. Security and Compliance: Fax machines offer a secure method of document transmission that complies with various regulations, such as HIPAA in the healthcare industry. The direct point-to-point communication of fax machines reduces the risk of data breaches that are more common in email and cloud storage.

The Evolution: Online Faxing

The future of faxing lies in its digital evolution. Online faxing is transforming the traditional fax machine into a modern, convenient, and efficient tool for document transmission.

1. Online Fax Services: Services like eFax, HelloFax, and Fax.Plus have digitized the faxing process. Users can send and receive faxes through email, eliminating the need for a physical fax machine. This not only streamlines the process but also reduces the costs associated with maintaining and operating traditional fax machines.
2. Integration with Digital Platforms: Online faxing services integrate seamlessly with digital platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and email clients. This integration allows users to fax documents directly from their cloud storage or email, enhancing convenience and accessibility.
3. Mobility and Flexibility: With online faxing, users can send and receive faxes from any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This mobility ensures that important documents can be transmitted securely and efficiently from anywhere, at any time.

Technological Advancements and Security

1. Encryption and Security: Modern online fax services employ advanced encryption methods to ensure the security and privacy of transmitted documents. This addresses concerns about data breaches and unauthorized access, making online faxing a secure option for sensitive information.
2. Compliance with Regulations: Online fax services are designed to comply with industry-specific regulations, such as HIPAA for healthcare. This compliance ensures that businesses can continue to use faxing for secure document transmission while adhering to legal requirements.

Future Outlook

The future of fax machines lies in their ability to adapt to digital trends while maintaining their core strengths of security and reliability. While traditional fax machines may become less common, the principles of faxing will persist through online faxing technologies. As businesses continue to prioritize security and regulatory compliance, online faxing will remain a valuable tool for secure document transmission.

1. Continued Relevance in Key Industries: Industries that prioritize document security and compliance, such as healthcare, legal, and finance, will continue to rely on faxing. The shift to online faxing will enhance efficiency while preserving the integrity of faxed documents.
2. Technological Integration: As online fax services become more integrated with other digital communication tools, their ease of use and accessibility will further solidify their place in the future of business communications.
3. Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness: Online faxing reduces the need for paper, toner, and maintenance associated with traditional fax machines, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for businesses.

Conclusion

While the traditional fax machine may seem outdated in the age of digital communication, the evolution of online faxing ensures that the concept of faxing remains relevant. By embracing digital transformation, faxing has adapted to meet modern business needs, providing a secure, reliable, and efficient method of document transmission. The future of fax machines, therefore, is not one of obsolescence but of continued adaptation and integration into the digital landscape.

The post The History of Faxing appeared first on .

Top 3 How to Ways To Send a Fax Online Over Any Computer

1) Online Fax Service: Easiest!

Then, using any internet-connected device, send an email to your recipient. Attach any documents you want to fax to that email fax to that email. Your contact field will look like this: 1234567890@YourOnlineFaxService.com, where “1234567890” is your recipient’s fax number and “YourOnlineFaxService.com” is whatever fax service you’re working with. After sending that email, your provider will automatically convert it into a fax and forward it to your recipient.

2) Connect a Phone Line to your PC
Many PCs have phone jacks AND I’ll show you how to connect your phone line and fax using 7 different operating systems. Most people use these phone jacks to connect to wired internet in areas where no wireless internet is available. However, you can also use these phone jacks to send a fax. Simply attach an active phone line to your computer’s phone jack and then open the faxing software on your computer. On Windows PCs, the faxing software is Windows Fax and Scan – which is built-in to every PC. On Apple computers, it’s simply called the Fax PDF tool and can be found under File > Print.

3) Buy a Fax Modem USB Dongle

If you don’t have a telephone jack on your PC, then that’s okay. Even some PCs with telephone jacks don’t have faxing capabilities. If that’s the case, then you need to buy a fax modem USB dongle. These dongles are affordable (between $20 and $80) and work on virtually any computer with a USB slot. Simply plug the USB dongle into your computer and then run your OS’s faxing software (Windows Fax and Scan or Apple’s Fax PDF tool).

Configuring your PC as a Fax Machine

This section applies to anyone who does not currently have an electronic fax provider. If you want to send a fax over your computer without using an online provider, then there are a number of easy ways to do that.

The easiest way to do that is to connect a phone line to your PC. Some PCs – especially older PCs – have a phone jack port built-in. This is to provide wired internet access in case wireless internet isn’t available. However, you can also use that jack to connect a phone line to your PC and use it as a fax machine.

If you don’t see a phone jack port on your PC, then you can purchase an external fax modem. External fax modems connect to your computer’s USB port and feature a phone jack port. They allow you to turn just about any PC into a virtual fax machine. Modems range in price from $20 to $80.

If you have an active phone line, then using your PC as a fax machine is free and easy. All Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 PCs have a built-in fax program called Windows Fax and Scan that lets you quickly and easily send faxes around the world.

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Windows 7

Step 1) Connect an active phone line to your PC’s phone jack input port

Step 2) Open the Start menu and type in Windows Fax and Scan then press Enter

Step 3) Click New Fax. You should see a blank fax pop up on your screen. Fill in the contact field with your recipient’s fax number.

Step 4) Type your fax information into the open window. You can also attach documents to this message just like you would attach documents to an email.

Step 4) Once your fax is complete, click ‘Send’

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Windows 8

Step 1) Connect an active phone line to your PC’s phone jack input port

Step 2) Use the Windows Key + R shortcut to open a Command window, then type in to open Windows Fax and Scan

Step 3) Click New Fax

Step 4) Type your fax into the body of the message or copy and paste any images into the window. You can also attach documents to this message just like you would attach documents to an email.

Step 5) Type your recipient’s fax number into the Contact field

Step 6) Click Send to send the message to your recipient’s fax machine

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Windows Vista

Step 1) Connect a phone line into your PC’s phone jack

Step 2) Search for Windows Fax and Scan under the Start menu search bar then press Enter

Step 3) Click New Fax

Step 4) Fill in the details of your fax and copy, paste, or type any information you want to fax. You can also attach documents to this message just like you would attach files to an email.

Step 5) Click Send

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Windows XP

Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 computers all have a program called Windows Fax and Scan. This program vastly simplifies the faxing process on your computer. Unfortunately, Windows XP does not have Windows Fax and Scan.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t fax documents from your Windows XP computer. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing just that:

Step 1) Start the Send Fax Wizard by going to Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Pick a Category > Or Pick a Control Panel Icon > Printers and Faxes > Printer Tasks > Send a Fax

Step 2) Once the Send Fax Wizard is open, click Next

Step 3) Type your recipient’s name in the To box under Recipient Information. Then, type the recipient’s fax number in the Fax Number box. You can also use the Address Book to fill in your recipient’s contact information. If you want to send the fax to multiple contacts, then click the Add button. Once you’ve completed the recipient section, click Next.

Step 4) Choose your Cover Page template and click Sender Information if you want to edit the information displayed on the cover page. You should consider changing the subject under the Subject Line box and type out a brief note introducing your fax. Once complete, click Next.

Step 5) In the Schedule pop-up window, choose Now. Ignore the fax priority box if you don’t have any other fax items scheduled. The fax priority box simply allows you to send a fax before or after other scheduled items according to their priority. Once you’re done here, click Next.

Step 6) You’re almost done! From the Completing the Send Fax Wizard dialogue box, you can check through all your chosen options and then click Finish to send your fax.

Once your fax is sent, you can monitor its status by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Fax > Fax Console. Then, select Fax from the left pane to expand your options. Those options include Incoming, Inbox, Outbox, and Sent Items.

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Mac OS X

Mac OS, like Windows, offers built-in faxing capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using your Mac OS computer or laptop as a virtual fax machine and sending a fax anywhere in the world:

In order to follow these steps, your computer needs to have a modem connected to a phone line. If your modem is connected to a phone line, then your Apple computer is automatically configured to send faxes.

Step 1) Choose File > Print

Step 2) Click Fax PDF from the PDF pop-up menu and then choose your fax machine from the Printer pop-up menu. If, at this point, you see an error message saying “No Fax Modems Were Found”, then you have incorrectly connected your fax modem or are using an unsupported fax modem.

Step 3) After successfully setting up your fax machine and opening the Fax PDF tool, type your recipient’s fax number into the To field. You can also copy and paste a number into the field from your Address Book.

Step 4) Some phone systems require you to dial a prefix in order to contact an outside line. If necessary, type that prefix into the Dialing Prefix box (if unsure, just leave it blank).

Step 5) Click Use Cover Page if you want to create and attach a cover page to your fax.

Step 6) Ensure you’ve selected the correct fax device from the Printer pop-up menu

Step 7) Change fax options under the Print Options pop-up menu if necessary. Those options include your modem’s behavior, dialing patterns, and communications options.

Step 8) Click Fax to send your fax. It will be sent out as soon as your modem is available.

How to Send and Receive a Fax in Linux

Sending a fax over Linux is generally quite complicated. It’s complicated for two main reasons:

• There’s no built-in Linux faxing software
• The vast majority of modems are designed to work with Windows, not Linux

Because of these two problems, your best option for faxing via Linux is to install a third-party application. Good third-party faxing applications for Linux can be found on Source Forge and other Linux software websites.

Faxing Using Your Computer With A Fax Provider

Windows computers have a built-in application that lets you send, receive, and edit faxes directly from your PC. To access this application, simply plug a phone line into your PC and follow the OS-specific directions below. Many non-Windows computers, including Macs and Linux machines, also have this functionality.

Faxing from Windows 7

Faxing from Windows 7 is extremely easy. If you can send an email, then you can send an online fax with Windows 7:

Step 1) Create a new email

Step 2) Address that email to “Your Recipient’s Number” @ Your Faxing Provider.com

Step 3) Attach the documents you want to fax to that email (most providers allow up to 8 or 10 documents with each fax; acceptable formats include .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF)

Step 4) Send the email and your recipient’s fax machine will receive it in seconds

That’s it!

Faxing from Windows 8

A limited number of online fax providers have apps on Windows 8. Search for your provider in the Windows 8 app store. However, don’t get your hopes up: Windows 8 isn’t the world’s most popular operating system and many providers haven’t bothered to develop an app for the OS.

If you do find an app, great! Download the app and run it to enjoy an easier online faxing system. If you can’t find an app, however, then proceed to the next steps:

Step 1) Open your email client or email service’s website and create a new email

Step 2) Address that email to your recipient using “Recipient’s Fax Number” @ “Your Fax Provider.com”

Step 3) Attach .PDF, .DOC, or .DOCX document(s) to that email

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ and watch your email attachments magically turn into a fax on your recipient’s machine

Faxing from Windows Vista

Step 1) Open your email client or email service provider’s website and create a new email

Step 2) Enter your recipient’s fax number in the contact field using the following format: [Recipient’s Fax Number] @ [Your Provider’s Website .com]

Step 3) Attach your document or documents to that email in .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF format

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ and your provider will automatically turn your attached documents into faxes and send them to your recipient’s machine

Faxing from Windows XP

Step 1) Open Microsoft Outlook, your email client, or your email service provider’s website and create a new email

Step 2) In the contact field, enter your recipient’s fax number at [Fax Number]@ [Your Online Fax Service.com]

Step 3) Attach the document or documents you wish to fax. Most providers accept .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF file formats

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ to send the documents to your recipient’s fax machine

Sending a Fax Over Your Mac Computer

Faxing from Macs and Apple Computers

Step 1) Open the Mac email client or open Safari and browse to your email service provider’s website

Step 2) Create a new email

Step 3) In the email contact field, enter [Recipient’s Fax Number] @ [Your Online Faxing Provider.com]

Step 4) Attach your documents in PDF format; or, if you have Office for Mac, you can also attach .DOC and .DOCX files

Step 5) Click ‘Send’ and your online fax provider will transform your attached files into faxes

Faxing from Linux

Step 1) Create a new email

Step 2) In the contact field for that email, type your recipient’s fax number and then add “@YourFaxProvider.com”

Step 3) Attach your documents in an acceptable file format (most providers accept .DOC, DOCX, and .PDF files)

Step 4) Click ‘Send’

Faxing from a tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device

Whether you’re faxing from a Nexus 7 tablet or an iPhone, sending an online fax via a mobile device is easy. In fact, faxing via mobile devices is one of the main advantages of signing up for an online faxing plan. You can now edit, review, send, and receive documents wherever you go. Wherever you have an internet-connected device, you also have a fax machine.

Before following the directions below, you should always check to see if your online fax provider has an app. We prefer Ringcentral Fax for mobile faxing. Not only are they half the costs of other fax providers, they have a simple to use mobile app. To do that, go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search the name of your online faxing provider. If you find a faxing app, then download and install it.

Many of the world’s popular online fax providers now offer excellent apps. These apps let you manage contact lists, send multiple documents, and perform all other fax-related services on-the-go. Most apps also integrate with your smartphone contacts list and offer enhanced security – like PIN-based logins – for your safety.

If your provider doesn’t have an app, then follow these directions:

Step 1) Open the mail app on your smartphone or tablet

Step 2) Create a new email and address it to your recipient using the following address: RecipientNumber@YourOnlineFaxProvider.com. Replace “YourOnlineFaxProvider.com” with the website of your real online fax provider.

Step 3) Attach the document (or documents) you want to fax

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ and your attached document will be faxed to your recipient

That’s it! Whether your provider has a mobile app or not, sending a fax via your smartphone or tablet is extremely easy.

The post How to Fax From Your Computer, PC & Mac appeared first on .

If you need to send out a fax from your phone, I would just sign up for an online fax service like RingCentral Fax so you can fax on the go with their mobile App.

If you’re looking for a physical location to send a fax, where exactly do you find a fax service near you?

Today, we’re answering all your questions about where you can send a fax.

Fax Services Near Me: UPS, FedEx, and Other Delivery Service Stores

Some of the benefits of sending a fax with FedEx include:

• Send and receive local, domestic, and international faxes
• A complimentary fax cover sheet is provided for you
• Receive a printed confirmation for your records
• Receive faxes at a FedEx Office near you “and a team member will hold your fax until you are able to pick up.”

You can learn more about FedEx’s faxing services here: http://www.fedex.com/us/office/fax-services.html

UPS, Kinko’s, and other delivery services offer similar benefits to the ones listed above.

If you’re sending a fax near you from one of these services, you can expect to pay between $1 and $2 per fax page. FedEx, for example, typically charges $1.50 for the first page and $1 for each subsequent pages for sending/receiving local faxes. If you’re sending faxes to a long distance number, it costs $2 for the first page and $1.50 per page thereafter.

Public Fax Machine: Hotels, Hostels, and Travel Agent Offices

Even if you have a fax machine at home, you may need to access a fax machine when you’re traveling in a foreign country or city. Most hotels, hostels, and other accommodations have anticipated this need and are able to provide electronic fax services. If your hotel has an office center, then it probably has a fax machine.

At some hotels, local and international faxing is complementary. Others charge a small fee.

Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, to give one random example, doesn’t charge guests to receive faxes from anywhere in the world. However, it charges you $6 for the first page of a local fax ($1 for each additional page) and $10 for the first page of an international fax ($2 per additional page). Most hotels are cheaper.

You’re less likely to find a fax machine at a hostel, but some hostels do have one on-site. At the very least, staff should be able to direct you to a nearby place where you can find a fax machine.

Can’t get a fax machine at your hotel or hostel? Ask for a local travel agent or travel bureau. These places are sure bets for fax machines.

Where Can I Go To Fax Something: Local Office Supply Stores

If you’re in a smaller town and need a fax machine, then you might not find a big local hotel or delivery service like FedEx and UPS. What’s your next best option?

Well, many small towns have office supply stores or even communal office spaces. Office Depot and similar stores often let customers send and receive faxes, for example. Call ahead to double check.

Of course, if that fails, and you’re really desperate, then you can just call around to local businesses to see if you can pay them to send a fax.

Send a Fax Using Software That’s Already On Your Computer

Both Windows PCs and Macs let you send faxes using your computer. All you need is a computer with Windows XP, 7, 8, or 10 or a Mac with Mac OS X, as well as a telephone line connected to your computer.

Here’s the step by step guide to faxing using your computer:

PC

Step 1) Connect your PC to a working phone line (plug the telephone jack into the port on the back of your computer or the side of your laptop).

Step 2) Prepare your documents you want to fax, either in Word or PDF form

Step 3) On Windows 7, click Start > All Programs > Windows Fax and Scan, then press Enter to launch Windows Fax and Scan. On Windows 8 and Windows 10, you can type Windows Fax into the Start Menu search bar, then press Enter.

Step 4) Click New Fax in the upper left corner of the toolbar and follow the wizard to hook up your phone line.

Step 5) Fill out the faxing information by entering your destination phone number, typing out a message, and attaching the documents you wish to fix.

Step 6) Click Send

You can also send faxes to multiple recipients at the same time using the Windows Fax and Scan application. To do that, simply type multiple numbers in the To box, separating each number with a semicolon (;).

If you’re going to send multiple faxes to these same contacts, then you can also save each contact’s information in your address book.

After you’ve sent your fax, you can also check whether it was successfully received. To do that, open the Fax Status Monitor tool from the Windows Fax and Scan application, then click View details. It’s a good idea to check this page if you’re working with international numbers or worried about whether or not an important fax was successfully delivered.

For Mac

Step 1) Open the document you wish to fax. Then, from the File menu, click Print

Step 2) Click the PDF button, then select Fax PDF from the menu that pops up

Step 3) Type in the fax number of your recipient in the To field. Don’t forget to add the 1 and the area code. You may also have to dial an outside-line access code or a country code, depending on your recipient’s location.

Step 4) In the Modem box, click Internet Modem.

Step 5) Click Use Cover Page if you want a cover page, and fill it out however you like (this is where you’d add a message, if you like).

Step 6) Click the Preview button to check out your fax before you send it. Once you’re satisfied, click Send.

Apple has mysteriously removed the Fax command on some versions of Mac OS X. If you can’t follow the steps listed above, then your Mac may not support faxing over the computer.

Faxing from your Mobile Device

Apps like Mobile Fax Free for Android and eFax Mobile Fax App let you easily send faxes from your mobile device.

Android

Android’s Mobile Fax Free is a free app that turns your phone into a fax machine. You can send a file that’s already on your phone. Or, you can use your mobile camera to take a picture of the document you’re trying to fax. Once you’ve done that, just enter the recipient’s number.

That app is affiliated with GotFreeFax.com. It’s only available for sending faxes to and from the United States and Canada at the moment. The free version only lets you send one single-page fax per day, although you can pay a few bucks to upgrade to the Premium version and send more faxes.

iPhone

The eFax Mobile Phone Fax app is available for free on the iTunes app store. You can get a fax number for free, although you’ll need to actually subscribe to eFax ($17 per month) to start sending and receiving any faxes.

Once you’ve signed up for an account, you can fax and scan from your phone using your own personal fax number. You can also upload files from email or your device storage and send and forward faxes.

Other online fax providers also have their own mobile apps. Other popular fax apps for the iPhone include:

JotNot Fax: $1 to send a fax, or $15 for a pack of 20 “fax credits” that let you fax one page each. You can only send faxes to US and Canadian numbers, although you can fax those numbers from anywhere in the world. You cannot receive faxes with the free version of the app.

Genius Fax: Genius Fax lets you send and receive a fax. Sending a single-page fax costs $1, or you can buy 10 pages of fax credits for $7 or 50 pages of fax credits for $20. For $4 per month, this app lets you create your own fax number (discounts are available when buying a fax number for three or six months at a time).

Fax Burner: Fax Burner isn’t the prettiest-looking app, but it does let you send and receive faxes using a custom phone number for free within minutes of signing up. That fax number expires after 24 hours. If you want to save that fax number for a year, then you can pay an additional $99. A free account only lets you send 5 documents total. Faxes beyond that number cost 25 cents apiece.

The post Where Can I Go Fax Something Near Me? appeared first on .

Where can I send a fax? Here is the world’s ultimate guide to sending a fax using many different methods.

Use Your Home Phone Line To Send a Fax

Your home phone line is already set up to send and receive faxes. Faxes are just data sent down phone lines. All you need to do to unlock your home fax line is connect a fax machine to any phone jack.

Once you’ve done that, you can send and receive faxes. However, if you’re sending and receiving a lot of faxes over your home phone line, then your telephone service provider may impose extra fees on your account. If you plan on sending more than 1 to 2 faxes per day, it’s a good idea to invest in a second home phone line or ask your provider about dual ring functionality – which lets you have two numbers incoming over a single phone line.

Whether you’re at home or at work, you can send a fax over any telephone landline.

Staples, FedEx, UPS, and Other Businesses To Send a Fax

Today, most people do not have a fax machine in their homes. For that reason, businesses like FedEx and UPS now offer faxing services to customers. You can walk into any FedEx or UPS location and pay a small fee in order to fax a document.

A number of businesses offer this service. It’s particularly common with office-related businesses. Office supply stores like Staples, for example, can fax documents for you. Even if a business doesn’t explicitly advertise their faxing services, you may be able to use their fax machines in exchange for a small fee. It never hurts to ask.

Send A Fax With Online Faxing

Online faxing has opened up a whole new world of faxing capabilities. Instead of hovering around the office fax machine or using machines at local businesses, online faxing lets you stay mobile and fax from anywhere in the world.

With online faxing, sending a fax has never been easier. All you need to do is:

• Create an email
• Attach a document or .PDF to that email
• Send the email to your electronic fax service provider in the form of “Recipient’s Fax Number @ YourServiceProvider.com
• Watch as your email attachment magically turns into a fax and arrives at your recipient’s machine

It’s fast, easy, convenient, and secure. You can edit faxes on the go and enjoy greater flexibility for you and your employees. You also avoid the physical costs of sending and receiving a fax, since you can choose to print off only the most important faxes.

More importantly, online faxing lets you send, receive, and edit faxes on a diverse range of devices. Below, you’ll find basic instructions for sending faxes on virtually any electronic device.

How to Send a Fax Using a Tablet or Smartphone

Sending a fax using a tablet or smartphone is really easy. Whether you have an Android tablet, Windows tablet, iPad, iPhone, or Android phone, most online fax providers offer some type of mobile app.

These mobile apps are optimized for your tablet and smartphone and designed to make the faxing process as easy as possible. Your faxing app should include the following features:

• Contact list with most popular contacts listed from top to bottom
• Signature and annotation addition tools for editing faxes on-the-go
• Direct integration with your email inbox
• Secure PIN-based logins
• The ability to switch between fax numbers and access multiple faxes within a single app
• And more

If you want to send a fax over your tablet or smartphone, then make sure you search for your service provider’s app before trying any other method. It’s by far the easiest way to send a fax from your mobile device.

However, not all computer fax providers offer an app. If your provider doesn’t have an app, then you’re not out of luck. It’s still fairly easy to send a fax. Here’s a step by step guide:

Step 1) Open your email app, like Gmail. Or, open your internet browser and login to your email account.

Step 2) Create a new email

Step 3) Address that email to your online fax provider like you would send any other online email. Most providers use the following system: 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where 123-456-7890 is your recipient’s fax number.

Step 4) Attach the document you wish to fax to that email. Acceptable file formats typically include .PDF, .DOC, and .DOCX. Most providers allow you to attach multiple files if you wish to fax more than one document.

Step 5) Send the email. Your provider will automatically convert the attachment(s) into faxes and send them to the recipient.

That’s it! One of the biggest advantages of online faxing is being able to manage your fax machine from your tablet.

How to Send an Online Fax Using Your Computer

Sending a fax using your computer is also straightforward. Just like on a tablet, you simply need to create a new email and send it to the appropriate address.

If you’re not currently subscribed to an online fax provider, then you can also send faxes via a fax machine that is connected to your Windows PC. Alternatively, your Windows PC itself can act as a virtual fax machine. All you need to do is connect a phone line to your PC. I’ve provided instructions for both methods below.

Windows 7

Windows 7 Online Fax

Step 1) Open Microsoft Outlook. Or, open your internet browser and go to your email provider’s website.

Step 2) Create a new email

Step 3) Attach the document you wish to fax to that email in the form of a Microsoft Word document (.DOC or .DOCX) or as a PDF

Step 4) Address that email to 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where ‘123-456-7890’ is the fax number of your recipient

Step 5) Send the email. Your provider will automatically convert that email into a fax and forward it to your recipient in seconds.

Windows 7 Fax Machine and Virtual Fax

Step 1) Open the Start menu and type “Windows Fax and Scan” into the search bar

Step 2) Click New Fax and create the fax just like you would create any email. Type your recipient’s fax number into the contact field.

Step 3) Copy, paste, or type your message into the body of the New Fax screen and click ‘Send’

Windows 8

Windows 8 – Online Fax

Step 1) If possible, download and install your online fax provider’s app from the Windows 8 App Store. If your provider does not have an app, then open your email client or internet browser.

Step 2) Create a new email

Step 3) Attach the document you wish to fax to that email. Acceptable file formats for Windows 8 include .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF

Step 4) Send that email to 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where 123-456-7890 is the number you wish to fax to

Step 5) That’s it! Once the email has been sent, your provider will automatically convert the email attachment into a faxable format

Windows 8 – Fax Machine and Virtual Fax

Step 1) On your keyboard, hold the Windows Key and tap “R”, then type in wfs and press Enter

Step 2) Click the New Fax button and copy, paste, or type your fax into the body of the email

Step 3) Type your recipient’s fax number into the Contact field and click ‘Send’

Windows XP

Windows XP – Online Fax

Step 1) Open Microsoft Outlook or your internet browser and create a new email

Step 2) Attach one or multiple .DOC, .DOCX., or .PDF documents to that email

Step 3) Send the fax to your recipient by typing their fax number into the address bar in the following format: 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where the number is your recipient’s fax number and “YourProvider.com” is your online fax provider

Windows XP – Fax Machine and Virtual Fax

Sending a fax via Windows XP without online faxing support is slightly more complicated than sending it via a Windows Vista, 7, or 8 PC. Follow this detailed guide from Microsoft Support for more information.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista – Online Fax

Step 1) Create a new email using Microsoft Outlook. Or, navigate to your email service provider’s website in your browser and create a new email.

Step 2) Attach one or more documents to that email in the following file formats: .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF

Step 3) Type the following address into your address bar and replace the numbers with your recipient’s fax number and the website with your online fax provider’s website: 1234567890@YourProvider.com

Step 4) Send the email and it will automatically be converted into a fax

Windows Vista – Fax Machine and Virtual Fax

If you’re not trying to send an online fax via your faxing provider, then follow these steps to send a fax using a fax machine in your office or using a phone jack plugged into your Windows Vista PC:

Step 1) Click the Start button and select All Programs, then click Windows Fax and Scan

Step 2) At the bottom of the left pane, click Fax

Step 3) On the toolbar, click New Fax

Step 4) Fill out the options provided in the New Fax window, compose your new fax, and then click Send

Mac

Mac OS X – Online Fax

Step 1) Create a new email by navigating to your email provider’s website in Safari or by using the default Apple email software

Step 2) Create a new email addressed to 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where the numbers are your recipient’s 10 digit fax number and “YourProvider.com” is your fax-to-email provider’s website

Step 3) Attach the documents you wish to fax. Most online fax providers accept .PDF, .DOC, and .DOCX file formats. Unless you have Microsoft Office for Mac installed, you’ll want to use PDF format.

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ and your online fax provider will automatically convert the email into a fax

Alternatively, your online fax provider may have developed an app for the Mac App Store. Launch the Mac App Store application and search for your provider. Or, download third party faxing apps like iFax designed specifically for use with Mac OS.

Linux – Online Fax

Step 1) Create a new email

Step 2) Address that email to your recipient via your online fax provider using an email address like: 1234567890@YourProvider.com, where the numbers correspond to your recipient’s 10 digit fax number and YourProvider.com corresponds to your online fax provider’s website.

Step 3) Attach your .DOC, DOCX, or .PDF file to that email

Step 4) Send the email and your provider will automatically convert it into a fax

Alternatively, you can find plenty of fax applications for Linux on SourceForge. Those applications vary widely in terms of support and quality, so use them at your own risk. They’re also not designed to work with online faxing services and are instead built to connect to a fax machine attached to the computer. Most online fax providers do not currently offer applications for Linux, although you can obviously still send emails with attachments from Linux.

Getting Creative – Alternative Methods To Send A Fax

Did none of the methods listed above work? Here are some alternative methods that will help you send or receive your important fax.

Go to a friend’s house: Talk to your friends and relatives. One of them must have a fax machine at their home or office.

Ask a local business: Local businesses usually have fax machines in the office. If you call a small business and offer to pay to use their fax machine, they’re probably not going to decline you.

Visit a local business center or library: Most cities and towns have businesses centers where anybody can pay a small fee to use printers, computers, fax machines, and other office-related infrastructure. If you can’t find a nearby business center, then a local library is your next best option.

The post How to Send a Fax appeared first on .

Today, I’m going to explain how fax to email works and how it easily integrates with various email platforms. Whether you’re using Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, or any other email platform, I’m going to show you why email faxing is an easy solution to your faxing needs.

How Faxing Over Email Works

Faxing via email is surprisingly easy to understand. It’s also surprisingly easy to use.

A traditional fax machine scans a document and then translates that document into binary computer code. This data can easily be sent down phone lines just like you would send a phone call. Once the fax arrives at the receiving machine, the receiving machine reverses the process and translates the encoded information into a “facsimile” document before printing it off.

Faxing over email works in a similar way. However, fax machines are replaced with computers at various steps in the process:

• The sender creates a new email and attaches a document – like a .DOC or .PDF document
• In the email address field, the sender types [Recipient’s Fax number]@[EmailFaxProvider.com]. Some fax-to-email providers also allow users to simply type in the recipient’s fax number.
• The body of the email is left blank. The sender clicks ‘Send’ and the fax-to-email service receives the message and translates the attached document into a format readable by fax machines. Then, the information is transferred down a phone line to the recipient’s fax machine.
• The recipient’s fax machine receives the fax and produces a facsimile document

Receiving a fax from gmail, hotmail, outlook, etc works in the reverse way. The sender faxes the document using their fax machine and types in your fax number. That fax travels down the phone line of your email fax provider, gets decoded, and is sent via email attachment to your inbox.

Where does the fax number come from? Online fax providers can either take an existing fax number and transfer it to their email fax service, or they can give customers a brand new fax number.

Which Email Services Support Email Faxing?

All email providers support online faxing because email faxing does not require any specialized equipment on your end.

When you subscribe to an virtual faxing plan, you’re effectively paying to borrow fax machine equipment. All you need in order to access that equipment is an email account with the ability to send attachments. That’s it.

Whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or an ISP-provided account, you shouldn’t have any problems getting started with email faxing.

How To Send A Fax From Gmail

Gmail is one of the world’s most popular email providers. Hosted by Google, Gmail started as an invite-only service before evolving into one of the world’s leading email leaders in terms of user base, features, and connected services.

Sending a fax from Gmail is extremely straightforward. If you already have an email fax provider like Ringcentral, then you won’t need to install any special software or hardware on your PC. Instead, all you need is the following steps:

Step 1) Start a free trial with an email fax provider or sign up for a paid subscription account with the fax to email provider of your choice. You will absolutely need to do this before sending a fax from Gmail.

Step 2) Log into your Gmail account at Gmail.com

Step 3) Compose a new email. Address the email to your recipient by typing in the recipient’s number at your fax service’s website. If your recipient’s number is 123-4567 and your fax provider is BestFaxEver.com, then you would type 1234567@BestFaxEver.com into the contact field.

Step 4) Attach the documents you wish to fax. Most computer fax providers accept .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF documents, although depending on your provider, other file formats may be supported. Most providers also accept between 5 and 10 documents per email.

Step 5) Click send and your fax will automatically be sent to your email fax provider’s server before being directed to your recipient’s fax machine. The entire process doesn’t take more than a few seconds from start to finish.

That’s it!

Can I get a Google fax number?

There is no such thing as a “Google fax number” because Google is not an email fax service provider. However, you can sign up for an email fax account and use your Gmail account as the primary address.

Can I receive faxes over Gmail?

Yes, you can absolutely receive faxes over Gmail. Faxes will be received just like any other email with attached documents. If you can’t find a fax you were expecting to receive, consider checking the Spam folder. Otherwise, your fax should be right in your Gmail inbox.

Can I separate faxes from the rest of my Gmail inbox?

Recent Gmail updates allow users to sort through emails based on their assigned folders. By default, your Gmail account has three folders: Primary, Social, and Promotions. Users, however, can add their own folders. Consider creating a “fax” folder to separate your important faxes from the rest of your email inbox. To do that, click the ‘+’ symbol to the right of your folders menu and type in the name of your new folder. Then, drag and drop any received faxes into that folder. Gmail will automatically assign all future received faxes to that folder.

Can I send faxes over Gmail from my mobile device?

Whether you use Android, the iPhone, or some other mobile device, you shouldn’t have any trouble sending a Gmail fax over your smartphone or tablet. Simply open the Gmail app and follow the instructions listed above. If you don’t have a Gmail app, then open your browser window and go to Gmail.com, then continue following the directions listed above.

How To Send A Fax From Outlook Or Hotmail

Microsoft recently bundled Outlook and Hotmail together under one name: Outlook. If you haven’t signed into your Hotmail email address in a while, then you will find that it has been switched into an Outlook address.

It’s the same service – just branded under a different name. Here’s how to easily send a fax over Outlook or Hotmail:

Using Outlook.com to Send a Fax:

Step 1) Go to http://www.Outlook.com and login to your email account

Step 2) Create a new email

Step 3) Address that email to your recipient by typing 1234567@FaxProvider.com into the “To” field, where “1234567” is your recipient’s fax number and “FaxProvider.com” is your fax provider’s website.

Step 4) Attach the documents you wish to fax to the email

Step 5) Click Send and the email will instantly be delivered to your fax provider, who will then transfer your attached documents to the fax machine of your recipient

Using Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2003 to Send a Fax:

Step 1) Click the Create Mail button

Step 2) Write the recipient of your fax in the “To:” field. Instead of typing an email address, type in 1234567@FaxProvider.com, where 1234567 is your recipient’s fax number and FaxProvider.com is your fax provider’s website

Step 3) Attach the document or documents you wish to send to your recipient

Step 4) Click ‘Send’ to send your email. Your fax provider will receive the email and convert the documents into faxable form before sending them down the phone line to your recipient’s fax machine.

That’s it! Whether you’re using Outlook.com or the Outlook program itself, it’s surprisingly easy to send a fax from your Outlook.com email address.

Can I receive faxes in my Outlook email inbox?

Yes. Receiving faxes in your Outlook email inbox is just like receiving any ordinary email with an attachment. Provided your Outlook account has room to receive an email with small attachments, your fax provider will deliver the faxed documents directly to your inbox.

Why didn’t I receive a fax in my email inbox?

There are a few possible reasons why your fax didn’t arrive in your Outlook email inbox. It may have been assigned to the spam folder. Or, you may simply need to click the ‘Send/Receive’ button.

How To Send A Fax With Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail has been a top email service provider since the 1990s. Sending a fax with Yahoo Mail is easier than ever:

Step 1) Go to Mail.Yahoo.com and login using your email account and password

Step 2) Click Compose to create a new email

Step 3) In the ‘To’ field, type in your recipient’s fax number using the system 1234567@YourProvider.com, where 1234567 is your recipient’s fax number and YourProvider.com is your email fax provider’s URL

Step 4) Attach the documents you wish to fax to that email

Step 5) Scroll down to the bottom of the email window and click the purple Send button to send your email. Within seconds, your email-to-fax provider will have converted your email attachments into faxable formats and forward them to your recipient’s fax machine.

That’s it! Sending a fax with Yahoo Mail is as easy as sending it with any other provider.

How To Send A Fax With Any Other Email Provider

Whether you’re using Squirrel Mail, the email platform for your university, or a unique ISP email service, sending a fax with any email provider involves the same basic steps:

Step 1) Sign up for a free trial with an electronic fax provider or sign up for a paid subscription

Step 2) Login to your email service provider’s website

Step 3) Compose a new email

Step 4) Address that email to your recipient using the address format RecipientFaxNumber@YourEmailFaxProvider.com, where “RecipientFaxNumber” is your recipient’s fax number and “YourEmailFaxProvider.com” is whichever online fax provider you’ve chosen to work with.

Step 5) Attach the documents you’re trying to fax to that email. Typical acceptable file formats include .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF, but some emal fax providers have branched out to include image formats like .PNG, .JPG, and others. Check with your online fax provider to make sure you’re sending a compatible document.

Step 6) Click Send. Your message will be sent to your email fax provider’s servers, where it will be instantly converted into faxable format. The information will be sent down phone lines to your recipient’s fax machine, where your attached documents will be printed out for your recipient to read.

That’s it! Many people are surprised to discover how easy it is to send a fax using any email service. Whether you’re using a software-based email program on your desktop PC, a mobile email app, or an email provider, faxing via email has never been easier.

Things To Remember When Sending A Fax With Any Email Service Provider

International dialing codes: If you’re sending a fax to a fax machine outside of your own country, then you’ll need to enter an exit code for your country and an entry code for the country in which the recipient is located. Sending a fax from the United States to China, for example, would require the numbers: 011 86 to be typed at the beginning of your local number. 011 is the exit code for Canada and the United States and 86 is the dialing code for China.

You can email fax from virtually any internet-connected device: Whether you’re using a tablet, smartphone, or 15 year old laptop computer, you should be able to easily send a fax. All you have to do is open an internet browser, login to your email account, create a new email, and attach the documents you’re trying to fax to that email.

The post How-to Fax To Email Using Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail & More! appeared first on .

You Already Have a Fax Number

Faxes are sent over telephone lines. If you have a landline telephone number, then you also have a fax number. Simply buy a fax machine and plug that machine into one of your telephone jacks.

Test your fax number using a free online fax service trial or ask someone to send you a fax. Then, watch as the fax magically appears on your machine.

Some telephone companies charge an extra fee for faxing, while others don’t care. If you plan on sending a large number of faxes, however, then it’s best to pay for an additional number.

How to Get a Local Fax Number

If your home or business already has a local telephone number, then adding a fax number onto your account should be relatively straightforward. Simply call your telephone provider and ask for an additional fax number or look at their fax plans online.

This method only matters, of course, if you don’t want to use your existing phone number as your fax number. If you run a business or plan on sending and receiving a lot of faxes per day, then paying for an additional fax number is a good idea.

Fax lines will add a few dollars per month onto your monthly phone bill, but they’re generally not too expensive – especially if you already have phone, TV, and internet packages with that company. The more you bundle, the more you save, and some local telephone companies may even let you have an additional fax line free of charge.

Sometimes, your phone company won’t even need to install an additional phone line in your house. Instead, the company will be able to create a “dual ring” system where two phone numbers exist on the same line. This is an ideal solution that automatically directs incoming calls from one number to your fax machine and other calls to your phone.

However, some local calling companies no longer offer fax plans, which means you’ll have to rely on other methods listed below, like computer faxing.

How to Get a Toll-Free Fax number

Toll-free fax numbers are useful for a number of different types of businesses. Businesses that frequently send and receive faxes from international locations, for example, will particularly benefit from toll-free fax numbers.

Getting a toll-free fax number is slightly more complicated than getting a local fax number. To get a toll-free fax number, there are two options:

• Pay your local phone provider for a toll-free fax number
• Use a toll-free forwarding number that directs faxes to your local fax number

The first option is what most people use. Call your local phone provider and ask to setup a toll-free fax number. In this case, your toll-free number will complement your local fax number.

You can also get a toll-free fax number online – something that is becoming more and more popular. To learn more about getting a toll-free fax number, read the “How to Get an Online Fax Number” section below.

How to Get an International Fax Number

An international fax number is the same as a toll-free number. If you’re doing business with international clients, then you’ll want to get a toll-free number as explained in the above section.

However, when telling clients your international fax number, you’ll want to use your proper country code. Sending a fax to an international number will require you to dial out of your current country and into the receiving country.

Let’s say you want to send a fax to China from the United States. You’ll need to add the international calling code, which is 011, to the start of your number. This shows that you’re trying to connect to an international number.

Next, you need to add the country code for China, which is “86”. You would type the following number into your fax machine:

011 86 [123-456-7890]

123-4567 is the local fax number you’re trying to dial. When giving a fax number to international clients, make sure you know your own unique country code. For fax numbers within the United States and Canada, that country code is simply ‘1’. Overseas clients would need to dial their own country’s unique exit code along with the number ‘1’ and then your fax number.

How to Get an Online Fax Number

If you already have a fax number and want to switch to email faxing, then you’ll be happy to note that most providers let you keep your number during the switch.

However, if you’re signing up for an online fax service with no number, then that’s okay too. In fact, the majority of online fax providers prefer setting up online faxing on a new number.

Online faxing is more popular today than ever before. It comes with a bunch of valuable benefits, including:

• The ability to send, receive, and edit faxes on-the-go from any internet-connected device
• Convert any email attachment into a fax
• Fax any local or international fax number
• Save money on paper and the costs of printing out faxes
• Avoid paper jams and other physical fax problems
• Save money with subscription rates as low as $12 per month

Due to all of these benefits, businesses and individuals around the world want to know how to get an online fax number.  Here’s a simple step by step guide:

Step 1) Research online fax providers

Online fax service providers vary considerably in terms of service, pricing, and quality. We prefer Ringcentral Fax for their low cost, high fax volume, and good customer service. If your still undecided, I would compare different providers is to look at their monthly pricing costs as well as any additional features they might offer. Some fax service providers, for example, have mobile apps that make faxing as easy as possible, while others offer discounted international rates. Consider how you’re going to use your virtual fax account and choose the provider that aligns with your needs.

Step 2) Compare sign-up incentives

If you’re having trouble picking an online fax provider, then compare providers based on their sign-up incentives. Sign-up incentives may include hundreds of free faxes, a month or two of free subscriptions, and no-limit international faxing for the first six months.

Ultimately, all online fax services let you send faxes to and from fax numbers. With that in mind, you should pick the fax service provider that offers the best blend of pricing, quality, and sign-up bonuses.

If you plan on sending fewer than one fax per day, then you might be able to find online fax providers that let you do that without ever signing up for an account. Other providers may offer a free trial that includes one or two free faxes per day. This is an excellent way to save money on your account. However, it won’t give you a fax number – it will only let you send faxes to a fax number.

Step 3) Sign up!

Once you’ve chosen your provider, you’ll need to fill out basic contact and payment information online. Once you’ve done that and activated your account, you will be able to share your online fax number with the world.

Step 4) Test your number

Want to make sure your online fax number is working before you start printing it on hundreds of business cards? Go to one of the free online fax websites you found in steps one and two and send a test fax to yourself. Or, ask a friend to send over a test fax.

That’s it! Out of all the methods listed here, getting an online fax number tends to be the easiest. You don’t even have to leave your office chair in order to do it. Electronic fax providers also prefer it if you sign up without a previous number, as there’s no transfer required. They might even waive the setup fees in this situation.

Whether you already have a fax number or you’re creating one for the first time, online faxing remains the easiest and preferred way to fax in this day and age.

Conclusion – The Best Ways to Get a Fax Number

• If you plan on sending a few faxes to local businesses and individuals, then you can use the current landline phone you have at home or at work
• If you plan on sending more than 1-2 faxes per day, then you’ll likely want to get a dedicated fax line from an online provider or your local telephone service provider
• Whether you’re looking for a local fax number or a toll-free international fax number, online service providers tend to offer the best blend of affordability, convenience, and quality
• Online fax providers like Ringcentral Fax give you a fax number that looks and functions exactly the same as the fax number you receive from a local telephone provider
• When giving your fax number – or any telephone number – to people outside your country, be sure to provide your country code, which is ‘1’ for the United States and Canada and is dialed before your fax number

The post How to Get a Fax Number appeared first on .

There are three broad ways to wirelessly send a fax:

• Use your cellular network
• Use Wi-Fi
• Wirelessly connect to a fax machine via Bluetooth or your wireless network

We’re going to break down each of these faxing options down below and explain everything you need to know about wireless faxing.

Wirelessly Faxing Over your Cellular Wireless

If you’re trying to fax from your smartphone or tablet, then you’re likely going to be faxing over a cellular connection.

There’s only one way to fax over a cellular connection: online faxing.

Online faxing services act as a virtual fax machine. You communicate with this fax machine over the internet. That fax machine receives emails for you and sends them to your inbox. Then, you email the fax machine whenever you want to send a fax to a recipient.

With online faxing, there’s really no restriction to the number of wireless devices you can use. As long as your device has an internet connection and the ability to send an email, you’ll have no trouble wirelessly faxing over your cellular wireless network.

Aside from online faxing, there are no other ways to wirelessly fax over your cellular wireless network. You can’t turn your mobile device into a modem. There’s also no smartphone software that transforms your mobile device into a fax machine hardware platform.

Put simply, you can’t receive faxes over the same number as your cell phone. It’s impossible.

Using Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) to Send a Fax

Using wireless internet (Wi-Fi) to send a fax is as straightforward as sending it over a cellular connection.

The best option is to use online faxing. Online faxing lets you send a fax over Wi-Fi as easy as sending an email.

You sign up for an computer fax provider, then send an email just as you would normally send an email. Here’s a quick step by step guide:

Step 1) Pick an online fax provider and sign up

Step 2) Compose a new email over Wi-Fi as you normally would send an email

Step 3) In the recipient section, type the fax number of your recipient followed by the online address of your fax provider, like by typing 1234567@nextiva.com.

Step 4) Add a cover letter to your fax by typing something into the body of the email

Step 5) Click “Send” after you’ve verified all of the information is complete.

That’s it! You’ve just sent a fax over Wi-Fi using an electronic faxing service. If you’re only sending a small number of faxes, then you might not even have to pay for faxing – many providers offer free trials or let you send a small number of faxes for free.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use online faxing, then you may be able to connect to your wireless fax machine over your Wi-Fi network (provided you’re both connected to the same home or office network).

Some multi-purpose printers (with scan, copy, fax, and print capabilities) will have wireless connectivity.

Both fax machines and multi-purpose printers will also sometimes have Bluetooth functionality, which means you can connect to those devices outside of your wireless network.

Use a Fax Machine with A Wireless or Cellular Connection

Some fax machines can connect to your home’s wireless network over Wi-Fi, or they can connect to your computer over Bluetooth.

However, some fax machines go beyond this and connect to a cellular network on their own. These wireless fax machines are physical fax machines that have a dedicated cell phone connection.

These machines also go by names like GSM fax machines or CDMA fax machines, depending on the type of network they use.

If you use a wireless fax machine like this, then your fax machine will have a separate fax number and cellular service account. Faxes are sent and received over the cellular network just as they would be received using a traditional fax machine.

This type of wireless fax machine is ideal for situations where you don’t have a phone line but have good cell service. These fax machines require a strong cellular connection, as any static or loss of quality on the connection may prevent the fax from being accurately transmitted.

These are all the ways to send and receive a fax wirelessly!

The post How To Send a Fax Wirelessly Using Your Cell Phone appeared first on .

Today, faxing still allows businesses around the world to communicate with another and exchange vital including signed documents and legal documents.

How do you send an international fax? Today, we’re going to explain exactly how to send a fax internationally and communicate with any country in the world

Faxing internationally is not like dialing a local or domestic number. You have to type two new numbers at the front of your recipient’s fax number, including:

• An exit code or international call prefix that lets you leave your country’s telephone network
• A country code that lets you access another country’s telephone network

If you’re calling from an internal business network, then you’ll also need to type in a dial out code to leave your local switchboard.

Ultimately, when sending a fax to an international number, your number will look like this:

That’s it! When sending a fax internationally, some people tend to overthink things. You only need to know two numbers: your own country’s exit code and the foreign country’s country code.

So, if you were sending a fax from the United States to China, you would type the following number into your fax machine:

011 86 [123-456-7890]

011 is the exit code for North America, +86 is the country code for China, and 123-456-7890 is the number of whichever number you’re dialing in China.

There are some important things to remember about faxing an international number:

-Sometimes, the person you’re contacting overseas may have included the exit code or country code in their listed phone number; make sure you don’t dial either number twice.

-Hong Kong, Israel, Finland, and a few other smaller countries have an international carrier selection code; this code lets telephone users choose their carrier when making an international call. Instead of dialing with their default provider, for example, residents of these countries may choose to dial with a cheaper competitor. This is done to encourage competition in both the calling and faxing markets. You can enter the carrier selection code after the international prefix and before the country code.

Exit Codes and International Call Prefixes For Every Country In The World

Some countries share the same exit code. In the United States, Canada, and locations throughout North America, for example, that exit code is “011”. In both France and Germany, that exit code is 00.

Most countries have unique calling codes. The main exceptions to this rule are Canada and the United States, which both share “+1”. Other countries which share exit codes have generally had territorial disputes in recent history. Kosovo and Serbia, for example, can both be accessed at +381.

International Country Codes For Every Country In The World

Each country has its own unique calling code. You’ll need to use the codes listed below to call foreign countries. There are exceptions for this rule in certain geographic locations. For example, sending a computer fax from the United States to Canada only requires a ‘1’ to indicate a long distance call. Various countries in Europe have similar systems.

The post How to Send a Fax Internationally appeared first on .

Today, I’m going to answer your online fax service frequently asked questions and explain its advantages, disadvantages, pros, and cons.

Does anyone still use fax machines? Isn’t faxing antiquated?

Some people view fax machines as ancient outdated pieces of technology. These people don’t see the point of using fax machines when we have email, cloud storage, and a bunch of other different ways to send data from one place to another. Fax machines aren’t as popular today as they once were, but that doesn’t mean fax numbers are going away anytime soon. The over 50 demographic, for example, particularly depends on fax machines for daily life. Fax machines also serve a valuable legal purpose when signing important documents.

What are the advantages of using a fax machine in this day and age?

Fax machines come with a number of unique advantages that are still relevant today. Those advantages include:

1. Confirmed receipt of transmission: If you want to make sure the receiving party actually received your message, then fax machines are the best way to do that. Unless you’re using a specialized email service, you generally don’t know when someone has received your email. On fax machines, the user can receive a printout of the sent fax as well as a receipt acknowledgement.
2. Legal signatures on documents: Faxing continues to be common in industries where signatures are regularly required on documents. If you want to send a signed document as quickly and easily as possible, then virtual faxing is an excellent option.
3. Remote communications: If your company is working in remote areas of the planet, then you might not have access to high speed internet. Faxes, however, can be sent and received anywhere with active telephone service. When you’re working in remote areas, you’re more likely to have telephone service than internet service.
4. Operational and warehouse industries: Businesses in the operational and warehouse industry often rely on fax machines for fast transmission of documents.
5. Legal concerns: The legality of faxes varies from country to country and state to state. However, some believe that signed documents sent via fax have a better legal standing than emails and electronically stored documents.

Are fax machines still safe to use?

Fax machines are generally safe to use. The main security concern with online faxes is that anybody can read the fax when it arrives on the other end. Online faxing avoids this security concern by sending all faxes through a secure email inbox.

How do I fix a fax machine that isn’t sending or receiving faxes?

A fax machine may not be sending or receiving faxes for a number of different reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the issue:

1. Check the physical fax line: Make sure your fax line is connected into the correct port at the back of your fax machine. Then, follow that line to the wall and make sure it’s plugged into the correct wall jack. Check the line to make sure there’s no fraying or potential problems along the wire.
2. Pick the correct port: Fax machines typically have two ports: one for the fax line and the other for the external handset. Consult your manual to ensure you’re using the correct port.
3. Pick the correct wire: Some fax machines – most notably HP fax machines – have proprietary cords. Your HP machine will only work with that proprietary cord. You will not be able to use any other type of cord. Make sure you’ve used the correct line for your machine.
4. Check the answering mode on your machine: Fax machines have multiple answering modes. Your fax machine’s answering mode should be set to manual in order for you to send and receive faxes.
5. Check ringer settings: Fax machines have multiple ring types. You can set your machine to receive the fax after one, two, or three rings, for example. However, if your fax machine has been set to “voice mail”, then you may not receive faxes at all.
6. Google is your friend: If the troubleshooting tips listed above didn’t help, then Google will. You’re probably not the only person in the world to experience this problem and you should be able to find support online. Call the tech support line provided by your fax machine’s manufacturer.

What is online faxing?

Online faxing is a relatively new phenomenon that makes faxing faster and more convenient than ever before.

Electronic faxing lets you send faxes as email attachments. When you send an email with an attachment to a fax number, your online fax service will automatically convert that email into a fax.

To access online faxing, you first need to find an online fax service. There are hundreds of different services available today, including large worldwide businesses and smaller local providers.

What are the benefits of online faxing?

Online faxing solves a number of complaints users have about traditional fax machines. Benefits include:

• Faster and more reliable service
• The ability to send and receive faxes as email attachments from wherever you have an internet connection
• Faxes are sent to your secure email inbox for increased security
• Avoid busy signals, paper jams, misplaced faxes, and other problems
• Edit, sign, and return faxes to sender on-the-go

The main benefit of online faxing is increased mobility. Instead of hovering around your fax machine all day waiting for an important document to arrive, you and your team can receive faxes wherever you have an internet connection.

Can I keep my current fax number with online faxing?

Most online fax services let you keep your current fax number when making the switch. This makes the transition as easy and seamless as possible. Some companies charge a small fee for this transition, while others include it in their pricing.

Can multiple people share a single online fax plan?

One of the benefits of online faxing is being able to share a single fax account between multiple users. Online faxing services may include anywhere from 2 to 10 emails on a single account. When setting up your service, you have the option to designate multiple emails. Each email address will receive a copy of every received fax.

I’m not very good with technology. Will that be a problem?

Sending an online fax is ridiculously easy. If you can send an email, then you can send an online fax. To send a fax over the internet, most services require you to simply:

• Open a new email in your normal email inbox
• Attach the document you wish to fax
• In the email address field, type in [Recipient’s Fax number] @ YourOnlineFaxService.com
• Click ‘Send’

That’s it! Your provider will receive that email and automatically convert it into a fax before sending it to your recipient. The entire process takes only seconds.

Can I send faxes anywhere in the world with online faxing?

Most online faxing services have domestic plans and international plans. If you plan on sending faxes around the world, then you may need to pay extra for an international plan. However, you should have no trouble faxing anywhere in the world with online faxing.

Can I fax any type of file or document?

Most online fax services restrict faxes to only a handful of file types, including .DOC, .DOCX., and .PDF. You may, however, find services that allow for a greater range of file types.

Can I send multiple documents in a single fax?

If you need to send more than one document, then you’ll be happy to know that online fax services typically let users attach multiple files to a single fax. To do that, simply create an email and attach as many files as you need to send.

How much do plans typically cost? What should I expect to pay?

Pricing varies widely across providers. Basic faxing plans can start as low as $5 per month, while more advanced plans could cost $20 to $40 per month. Many providers also offer free trials.

How many faxes can I send each month?

A basic plan might allow 500 faxed pages each month, while more advanced plans in the $20 to $40 per month range may include over 2000 faxed pages per month.

Do I have to worry about busy signals with online faxing?

Online faxing makes busy signals a problem of the past. Your fax number is always available – even if your computer is turned off.

Can I fax from any computer?

Yes! Online faxing and faxing via computers is more popular today than it has ever been before. You can fax using nearly any type of computer out there, including computers running Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, as well as Apple computers running Mac OS.

Can I fax from a tablet or smartphone?

Many online faxing services have mobile apps. These mobile apps can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. They’re designed to make the faxing process as easy as possible. Users are often able to send, view, and edit faxes directly from their mobile device.

If you have any more frequently asked questions about online faxing, then contact us today and we’ll answer as soon as possible!

The post Online Fax Frequently Asked Questions appeared first on .

Online Faxing Saves The Environment

It’s no secret that online faxing service is green. However, now we know exactly how green it can be. GreenFax.com cites a government study to reveal the following research:

• Traditional fax machines consume 200 billion pages of paper in the United States alone
• Switching just 5% of these fax machines to sending a fax online would save 10 billion pages of paper, or about 1 million trees each year
• However, if you take into account all of the environmental benefits of reduced logging, including the energy and water consumption required to produce paper, then email faxing becomes even greener.
• When taking energy and water into account, reducing paper by 5% would save 360 million gallons of water each year – which is about what the entire city of Philadelphia consumes in a day.
• It would also save 215 million kilowatt hours of energy – which is the approximate total of New York City’s power consumption for a month, and eliminate 3 million pounds of air pollution – the approximate annual pollution output of 2800 cars.

Cost Savings of Online Fax

• An average ink cartridge will print 200 pages of fax paper. Ink cartridges cost an average of $20 to $50.
• The average fax machine costs between $150 and $250
• The average office worker spends 8 to 15 seconds per fax walking to the office fax machine

The Increasing Popularity of Online Faxing and VoIP

Voice Over IP (VoIP) is becoming more and more popular with businesses. Businesses love VoIP for its crystal clear HD audio and ability to transmit data over the internet instead of physical phone lines. That means business users can access the office’s call management system anywhere. Here are a few reasons why VoIP isn’t done growing yet:

• According to a press release by Infonetics Research, the number of VoIP companies is expected to double between 2011 and 2016 in order to address increasing demand.
• Other industry analysts suggest that the VoIP industry will grow approximately 15.3% each year over the next four years.
• 2.4 billion people around the world use the internet; of those 2.4 billion, approximately 22% are VoIP users
• There were an estimated 228 million people using VoIP communications on cell phones in 2013.

Other Benefits of Online Fax

• The average electronic fax service uses 256 bit encryption, which is the same encryption used by government agencies, security software, and other industries where security is of the utmost importance
• Every year, approximately 17 billion to 100 billion faxes are sent around the world
• The market for virtual fax services is thought to be growing at an estimated 15.2% CAGR
• Japan has the world’s highest number of fax machines per capita and is widely regarded as a bastion for the traditional fax machine

The post Numbers Don’t Lie: Impressive Stats of Online Fax appeared first on .