A fax machine is a device that sends documents electronically over a telephone network.
The transmissions it sends are called “faxes,” and these can be between two fax machines, between a fax machine and a computer, or between an online fax service equipped to send and receive faxes.
Today’s fast-paced work environment, coupled with computers, cell phones, and smartphones, makes fax machines seem a bit outdated. But these machines offer a variety of uses and may still be ideal for your office
Definition: What is a Fax Machine
A Fax Machine is a device that sends and receives printed pages or images over a telephone line, digitizes the material with an internal optical scanner, and transmits the information as an electronic signal.
As technology has advanced, many fax machines are now part of larger multifunction units, some can send and receive via email or IP (Internet) networks
What Is a Fax Machine Used For?
Communication
Fax machines make sending and receiving documents a quick alternative to sending and receiving documents by post or another courier service. Items that require a signature can be easily handled by fax. Sending or receiving information about an item or details about a product or service may provide you or the recipient with a printed copy of important data. It’s hard to imagine a business without computers or the Internet, but some businesses still rely on telephones and fax machines for communication. In remote areas where the Internet does not exist or is very slow, fax machines connected to telephones are still the primary form of communication when it comes to lengthy orders, messages and sharing other information. The fax machine also works well for sending menus, emergency communications, account status, and shipping information.
Printing
Some fax machines have options for printing documents. The fax machine needs to be connected to your computer so that you can send documents from your computer to the fax machine for printing. The price of toner used in printers tends to be much lower than that used in fax machines, so printing via fax machines is usually limited to a few documents if absolutely necessary. If you are a small business with minimal printing needs, which is ideal.
Copying
A fax machine can also be used as a copier. Copying documents with a fax machine becomes expensive because most fax machines require more expensive ink cartridges or toners than copiers. If you only need a copy once in a while, then a fax machine can save you the cost of buying a photocopier, and the cost of using the photocopier itself is not enough.
Sales strategy
Some companies use fax broadcasts to increase leads and sales. These affordable endeavors are especially useful if your target market is more inclined to receive faxes than email. Faxes are sent to the programmed list of telephone numbers one at a time, letting the machine handle the dialing of each number. Broadcast faxes are often used to offer discounts or announce sales to selected databases. Faxing is especially useful for selling rapidly changing products such as real estate, daily price changes, and trade fair reminders. Press releases and press releases about your products and services can also be sent by fax. Before using your fax machine as a paging machine for potential customers, make sure your recipient agrees to receive occasional faxes about your product. Otherwise, your faxes may be seen as spam, which is sure to create a barrier between you and potential clients.
Why Do People Still Use Fax Machines?
Many public sectors and industries such as finance, government, and healthcare still use faxes to send important documents.
Some reasons are listed below:
- Other companies use fax. If your business partner uses a fax machine in their day-to-day business transmissions, you will have no choice but to join
- eFax Available Faxes are now connected to the internet, making business transactions easy. Sending faxes over Wi-Fi is convenient because it allows you to complete tasks from your tablet, computer or smartphone
- The Power of Habit Many legal systems, such as law firms and police departments, use faxes because they are used to it. Even healthcare isn’t immune to faxing
- Sending and receiving faxes is faster than using regular mail. Also, scanning and sending documents via email can take more time than faxing. If an error occurs while scanning, the process needs to be repeated.
- Send signatures securely: Signatures sent over fax phone lines do not go over the internet, which is why some people think fax machines are a more secure method
- No Anonymous Fax No anonymous element. Whatever happens, you will receive a confirmation receipt with the sender’s number
- People without internet access have a hard time believing that there are people without internet access in the 21st century. A surprising 47% of people in the world don’t. For those without access to the Internet, using mail or fax machines may be the only communication option. Many public sectors and industries such as finance, government, and healthcare still use fax to send important documents.
Summary
A fax machine is a faster option for sending and receiving documents than sending documents by postal mail. While the usage of this machine has declined over time, it still has a number of added benefits that will make you want to buy one. Fax machines have proven important in many business sectors.
