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Fax

Author: TechShortcut Staff | Article updated: February 2, 2008

2. Option Comparison

	1. Fax Machine	2. Computer with a Fax Modem	3. Network Fax Server	4. Internet Fax Service
Requirements	Phone line	Phone line	Phone line	Internet connection - preferably DSL, T1 or cable.
Cost Factors *In order to send faxes from a paper document rather than an electronic document it must first be put into an electronic format. You do that by scanning it.	Hardware
	Fax machine	Fax modem and scanner or fax*	Fax modem and scanner or fax*	Fax modem and scanner or fax*
	Software
	None	Fax software—Some operating systems include it.	Fax server software	None
	Labor
	Walk to the fax machine to collect, distribute & send faxes	Use computer to collect, distribute and send faxes. You may need to get up to scan.	Use computer to collect, distribute and send faxes. You may need to get up to scan.	Use computer to collect, distribute and send faxes. You may need to get up to scan.
	Services
	Phone service and toll charges	Phone service and toll charges	Phone service and toll charges	Monthly fee and/or cost per fax above monthly allowance
	Other
	Paper, ink, toner, cartridge, maintenance, etc.	None	None	None
Sending Faxes of Paper Originals Show/Hide details Sending faxes of paper documents has been the typical means of sending faxes. But, with more documents being stored electronically, the process would involve printing a document and then faxing it, which takes time and other resources. So, with the shift to more electronic documents, it generally makes more sense to fax them through a computer-based option.	Write out a cover page Put the paper in Dial the number Press Send	Scan the paper Start the fax software Find the file Select the phone number Fill in the cover sheet details Press Send	Scan the paper Start the fax software Find the file Select the phone number Fill in the cover sheet details Press Send	Scan the paper Start the fax software Find the file Select the phone number Fill in the cover sheet details Press Send
Anywhere Access Show/Hide details If you are frequently out of the office, then this one is for you. If you are tired of asking your co-workers to check for a fax, some options give you the ability to track your faxes.		Possibly: If an office computer with the fax modem is accessible via the Internet then you could check on inbound faxes. For outbound faxing a laptop with a fax modem only needs a phone line to send faxes.	Possibly: If the fax server's network is accessible via the Internet then workers will be able to send and receive faxes.
Electronic Routing / Workflow Show/Hide details Electronic routing means that once a fax is received, it can be emailed to a group of recipients, like an entire sales department. Of, if you prefer, one person can receive all emails and redistribute accordingly.
Electronic Backup & Archiving Show/Hide details Backup and archiving means that copies of faxes sent or received are stored, and they can be viewed at a later time if needed.